Secret Beaches of Portugal

Portugal is known for keeping its untrodden beaches a secret, so where are the hush-hush stretches of sand and attractive white-wash pastel towns that will offer a true local Portuguese experience.

Praia da Marinha meaning Navy Beach, is one of the most distinguishing beaches in Portugal. Famous for its beautiful golden cliffs and rocky landscape, it is placed as one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe and as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world by the Michelin Guide.
 
Praia do Padre Vicente Beach is located in a small cove and flanked by high cliffs. The sand is fine and perfectly golden, and the water is calm and protected from winds from most directions. The best bit, this beach is accessible only by sea so is best explored by hired paddle boat or kayak from nearby Carvoeiro beach.
 
Algar Seco is a very small, but luckily still a relatively unknown stretch of beach fringed with tiny caves and grottos which can be clambered into on foot or explored by kayak.  This cove is a real local secret, reachable by a precarious rocky walk followed by rickety climb down a wooden ladder fixed to the side of the cliffs.

Once a fishing village, the scenic town of Carvoeiro offers the perfect base for exploring the Algarve’s best clandestine sites. The small town is made up of two main streets offering shops, restaurants and picturesque colourful tiled buildings. Less than 10 minutes from the centre of town is Carvoeiro Hotel. The four star hotel is traditional in style but given a touch of luxury with modern bathrooms, large balconies and eclectic stylised décor. While the hotel offers a restaurant, the spacious one and two bedroom apartments are also well equipped for self-catering. Take a 700 metre scenic stroll to the centre of town for a bunch of traditional restaurants specialising in grilled fish and piri piri and for a modest beach where you can set out to sea to explore some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve.