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Praia da Gale beach (Algarve, Portugal) – Photos + Tips

Last updated on December 27, 2020 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Praia Da Gale Beach, in the Algarve, is not like the rest of the coastline. There you have a long sandy beach and round rock formations. No high cliffs but a lot of fun and a great place for an easy stroll along the sea. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit.

Note: do not confuse it with Praia da Galé-Fontaínhas, located in the Atlantic coast, near Melides (with the red sandstone dune formations)

Praia da Gale beach Algarve Portugal Travel Guide - Algarve beach Pinterest

Table of Contents
Why visit Gale Beach in the Algarve? Video
PLANNING TIPS - Praia da Gale, Algarve, Portugal
Access & facilities
A beach with rocks & waves
The walk to Praia Da Gale Leste
A good sunset spot

Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide

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Why visit Gale Beach in the Algarve? Video

Praia da Gale is not your typical Algarve beach but still one of the best beaches in Portugal. There are no high cliffs (like in Falesia beach) no pinacles, no arches (like at Marinha beach or Camilo beach).

Instead you find a long sandy area. At its Eastern tip, you can find yellow/orange rocks which are rounded. The erosion here has created a big playground for kids and adults to have fun.

As you can see below, the 5km long sandy beach (when it connects with the other nearby beaches at low tide) goes all the way to Armaçao da Pera. However, I do think the most interesting part is the Eastern side also known as Praia da Gale Leste.

Gale Beach in the Algarve

Let's start with a short video to discover Praia da Gale Beach in Algarve:


PLANNING TIPS - Praia da Gale, Algarve, Portugal

How to get to Praia da Gale 

  • South of Portugal, on the Algarve coast
  • Between Portimao and Albufeira, next to Armaçao de Pera
  • Albufeira to Galé Beach = 20min drive
  • Portimao to Galé Beach = 30min drive

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Visiting Gale Beach

  • Great spot for sunset
  • Busy in Summer but there is a large sand area
  • Facilities and restaurant
  • Be careful, the waves are big!
  • Easy access from the carpark of Praia da Gale Leste

Accommodations

  • You can stay in the nearby Galé town - check out the best rated accommodations

Or if you want to stay in a bigger city you can choose either 

  • Armaçao de Pera (at the end of the succession of beaches) - Check out the best rated accommodations
  • Albufeira -  Check out the best rated accommodations in Albufeira, or
  • Portimao - See the best rated accommodations in Portimao.

Access & facilities

The beach is easy to access.

There is a large carpark right by the sand. Not high cliffs to walk down from.

The beach has all the facilities, including a couple of restaurants.

Praia da Gale restaurant

It is one of the best Algarve beaches for families if you don't mind big waves.

Plus, because it is a very long beach (all the way to Armaçao de Pera at low tide), there is enough space for everyone.

Praia da Gale Algarve portugal 3

galé beach with Armaçao de Pera in the background


A beach with rocks & waves

The best part I think are the rocks on the Eastern side. There are only a few of them on the main beach but if you walk to the next coves you will find plenty more.
Kids and adults love climbing on them.

Below are pictures of the first ones:

Gale beach Algarve Portugal 1
Gale beach Algarve Portugal 2

The waves

This is a beach with big waves.
They are so beautiful to admire, and people seem to have a lot of fun with them!

Gale beach Algarve Portugal 3
Praia da Gale Beach Algarve 1

The walk to Praia Da Gale Leste

My favorite part of the beach, is the walk along the beaches going towards the east.
You access the smaller coves with more rocks to admire and play with!
The cove right next to Gale beach is called Praia da Gale Leste.

Praia da Gale Leste 1

Praia da Gale Leste.

I love the photo below: you can see the crazy work of erosion and it gets you wanting more. I must admit it was hard to stop at some point and walk back. 

I think I would love walking the entire Algarve coastline. That would be amazing!

Praia da Gale Leste 2

My parents, who were traveling with me on that trip, were waiting for me while admiring the sky and waves:

Praia da Gale beach Algarve Portugal 3

Another photographer's paradise:

Praia da Gale beach Algarve Portugal 4
Praia da Gale beach Algarve Portugal 2

And it goes on:

Praia da Gale beach Algarve Portugal 5

Praia da Gale Oeste Walk 

However, if you walk West on the beach, it is mostly a sandy beach. 


A good sunset spot

Certain time of the year, Galé beach is a great spot to enjoy sunset!

sunset Praia da Gale Algarve portugal 2

Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

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PRAIA DO CAMILO BEACH

NEXT: 

PRAIA DOS TRES IRMAOS BEACH

Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal destinations

Is it your kind of beach?

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