Beaches in Algarve

Limestone that the Atlantic has been cutting into for a long time. The result is a coast of arches, stacks, caves and small beaches at the foot of ochre cliffs, most reached by a stair. The character changes sharply at Cape St Vincent, where the coast turns north and the shelter ends. East of it, limestone cliffs cut into arches, stacks and pocket beaches reached by stair, with warm sheltered water and heavy development behind. North and west of it, the Costa Vicentina is open Atlantic — dunes, surf, cold water and a natural park that has kept building off it. The two are ninety minutes apart and are routinely confused by visitors booking one and expecting the other. Practicalities: cliff falls occur along the eastern limestone coast and the bases are fenced in places, several beaches are reached only by long stairs with no alternative, and the tide substantially changes how much sand there is at the pocket beaches.

Two of the three are cliff and calanque beaches; the rest are dune beaches. The sand is golden sand throughout, and all sit on open ocean. Together they account for 8.2 km of shore. · computed from the 3 records below