Beaches

Praia dos Três Irmãos

Beach with parking places that, coming from Portimão, is situated before Alvor (Pestana Hotel). There are diverse restaurants and snackbars as well as sanitary facilities. The beach passes in the west into the Praia do Alvor and allows for a view up to the bay of Lagos. The cliffs and small rocky bays appear in the east. The shore descends flatly and the currents are moderate.

---

Prainha

On the street between Portimão and Alvor is the Prainha Resort with parking facilities. You reach the same-named beach either from west via the >Praia dos Tres Irmaos< or from the resort (signposted) where you have to employ a lift to get into the rock. 

It is the first beach, coming from Lagos, that lies between cliffs. The shore descends flatly. There are a restaurant / snackbar and sanitary facilities.

Lifeguards are on site during the season.

---

Praia do Submarino

This nearly unknown (and not signposted) beach can only be reached by hiking through the cliffs from Portimão to Alvor (or from the seaside with a boat). Descending is difficult and quite dangerous (unappropriate for small kids). There is no infrastructure! We recommend water shoes for bathing because sharp-edged stones break off the cliffs again and again and fall into the water. 

---

Praia de João de Arens

Lonely dream beach beneath the same-named >Ponta João de Arens< between the cliffs. The beach is not signposted and is situated, walking over the cliffs, between Portimão and Alvor. The descent is difficult, very steep and inappropriate for children. There is no infrastructure. 

Nude bathing is usual here.

---

Praia do Barranco das Canas

Between Portimão and Alvor exists the urbanisation Vau da Rocha  about 80 m behind the resort Jardim do Vau. Here one finds parking places, some only 50 m north of the beach. There are sanitary facilities, a snackbar and – depending on the season – lifeguards on site.

---

Praia do Vau

An internationally known, popular and beautiful beach between Portimão and Alvor. The beach is very well signposted and there are parking facilities. Various restaurants, snackbars, cafés and shops are located on the beach or in close vicinity to it. Lifeguards are on the spot during the season. 

The beach is accessible for people with disabilities.

---

Praia dos Careanos

This beach being situated about 50 m east of the  > Praia do Vau < lies below the coast road and between the cliffs. On the road are parking places at disposal. In Portimão you will find an organised parking area (at the roundabout with a water fountain) from where a stairway goes down to the beach. There are diverse restaurants, cafés, snackbars and sanitary facilities in close vicinity. During the season the swimming and bathing is supervised by lifeguards.

---

Praia dos Trés Castelos

Great beach immediately beneath the western beach promenade of Portimão. On the beach are a restaurant and sanitary facilities. Lifeguards are on site during the season. 

---

Praia da Rocha

The beach is well signposted within Portimão, and various parking facilities are at disposal.

The Praia da Rocha was the first beach of the Algarve that was used for tourism, at the beginning of the 20th century. 

On the beach are diverse restaurants, snackbars, cafés and sanitary facilities. 

During the season there is always something going on here: Aquatic sports, beachvolley ball and in the evening also music and dance events. 

The beach is accessible for people with disabilities. The parking area by the harbour is then the best choice.

---

Praia da Marina

First follow the signposting Praia de Rocha until the harbour (Marina) itself is signposted. On the area of the harbour are good parking facilities (for a fee).

The small beach is situated south of the new yacht harbour in Portimão and is separated in the west by the jetty of the Praia da Rocha.

There are diverse restaurants, snackbars, shops, cafés, a beachclub and sanitary facilities.

You reach the beach promenade via a stairway.

The beach is accessible for people with disabilities.

---