LoisLane777

Hi I am planning a trip to Portugal in a month- woudl like to mix culture with beaches. Would like to spend several days in Lisbon and then go to beach --Algarve. Any recommendations on which beaches are best? Prefer calm waters and sandy beaches.

thanks for your help!!!

Sher

I haven't been to the beaches in the Algarve. I have only been to the beach along the coast in the Alentejo and North of Lisbon.
We above the beach in Lourinha, Salir do Porto and Vila Nova de Milfontes.
You will love Portugal.

lowcountrycarol

It depends what type of beach you like....small and intimate or one that is 3 miles long and great for walking. I am in the Algarve now, own a home here and would like to help with suggestions.

The town near the chosen beach (or beaches) might enter into your choice. Give me some more thoughts and I might be able to suggest some places. I will be flying back to the states tomorrow so I will be out of touch then but I will check back in here.

lowcountrycarol

Quick other thoughts...will you have a car and do you want night life or just quiet? Have you chosen accomodations yet?

LoisLane777

Hi thanks for the replies everyone! No car just public transportion-- would like to be in a place with a nice beach but where I can travel to and explore other parts of the country. I am thinking of being based in Lisbon ( 5 days?) and Faro (5 days?) Are there nice beaches in faro?

SloJan2

Hi there,
Like Lowcountry, I also have a place in the Algarve. I don´t recommend Faro. The bus service is decent in the Algarve so choosing a town isn´t hard. My favorite town is Lagos which is much farther west than Faro. The central area of Vilamoura (glitzy), and over to Lagoa has tons of gorgeous beaches. Going east, Tavira is an option and they have the long, low beaches (no cliffs) but also have the barrier island. Tavira is a lovely town.

Jayempty

Hi,
Instead of starting my own thread, I thought I would ask the same question as LoisLane.

My fiancée and I are planning a trip to Portugal for our honeymoon. a rough idea of our plan so far is visiting a beach in the Algarve and then explore Lisbon. We have about 8 days total.

If we would like a smaller, more intimate, clean beach, where would you recommend we go? and if you have any suggestions for hotels, that would be more then welcome.

thanks in advance!
Jeff

almcd

All the Algarve suggestions here are good. For my money, the best beach is at Vilamoura. It is unbelievably clean with not a stone nor a piece of seaweed in sight. Albufeira is a more vibrant place but the beaches, although good, are not up to the high standard of Vilamoura.

SloJan2

The beauty of the Algarve is that you can find private beaches wherever you go. I am not a fan of the Vilamoura beach(or the area in general). I prefer the beaches in the western Algarve or even on the Atlantic.

My favorite beach (maybe in the entire world) is a tiny beach next to Albandeira that you have to hike down to. If you walk the coast, you can find all sorts of similar beaches.

Other beaches I like are Senhora da Rocha and Carvalho.

Also, many of the beaches have beach restaurants and it is fun to check them out. The one at Caneiros is nice, but spendy and you need reservations. I like the more casual atmosphere of the next beach over (before Ferragudo)Pintadinho.

Have fun!

MyriamC

We love the beaches of Ilha de Tavira and Ilha de Cabanas. Fine white sand, and miles and miles to walk.
Here's a pic I took last week.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...V/DSCN1992.jpg