Praia de Albandeira, in Algarve Portugal, is a beach worth discovering at high tide when the waves crash and swirl in the cove. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to Albandeira Beach.
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Why visit Albandeira Beach in Algarve?
Praia de Albandeira is a small cove cut in two by rock formations creating 2 distinct beaches at high tide.
If you want to sunbathe, head there are low tide. But if like me, you prefer action and scenic beauty, I recommend a visit at high tide when the waves crash on the rock formations!
Praia de Albandeira, Algarve
Let's start with a short video showing you the beauty of the crashing waves on Praia de Albandeira and its neighbor Praia da Estaquinha and the sea carved arch: Arco de Albandeira.
More photos after the planning tips.
PLANNING TIPS - Praia de Albandeira, Algarve, Portugal
How to get to Albandeira beach
- On the Algarve Coast - check out my article about the best things to do in the Algarve
- Between Portimao and Albufeira
- Portimao to Albandeira =30min
- Albufeira to Albandeira = 30min
- Not far from the famous Praia da Marinha Beach and Benagil Beach - on the map below, it is 10min East of the famous Benagil cave
- Access to Praia da Albandeira - Last 2km are single-track road with passing places and last 200m are on a gravel road
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Visiting Praia de Albandeira
- Large Parking
- Easy access to the beach from the parking
- Restaurant on the beach - now closed (hoping someone will reopen it) - to get a meal, you will have to drive a little to reach restaurants
- Not good for sunbathing at high tide as the sandy area disappears but better for photography
- No lifeguards in winter and swirling waves
- Not touristy but small so it gets crowded too
- Check out the best rated accommodations in the area
Road to Albandeira
Carpark at Albandeira beach
Access to Albandeira Cove
Access from the carpark is easy with a man-made path and stairs
Past the restaurant you can climb down on each side of the rocky promontory.
Note that the beach is not large so it gets busy quickly, as it is popular with locals.
Golden Sand beaches
Below is the left side of the beach with the largest sandy area.
You have to be careful as the waves can be very powerful and come up quite fast!
The sand is fine and golden.
When the area is quiet and at low tide, it is popular for snorkeling and diving.
In Summer, the sea is generally quiet as the cove is protected, but always check the conditions before going for a swim!
This is the smaller cove on the other side of the rock formation:
This is not the best beach for sunbathing. Even at low tide, the sandy area is not that big compared to other Algarve beaches.
However, if you love beautiful cliffs this is your place. And if you can, visit Praia de Albandeira beach at high tide to admire the waves crashing on the rock formations in the middle and exploding in the air.
The water also creates beautiful swirls in the coves over the sand.
Quite a happy place for photographers 🙂 (especially with the arch, see later in the article)
Albandeira cliff walks
View from the left cliff
You can't have a long walk on the beach... But you can explore the surrounding cliffs. Access is easy just be careful not to stay too close to the edge!
Below are the views from the East side of the Beach. You can see the carpark, the restaurant and the stairs going down to the beach.
View from the right cliff
But the best is to walk on the West side of the beach. You first get beautiful views of the middle rocks and the coves.
See how the sea is creating a cave?
It is so relaxing to watch the waves crash on the rocks and the water spread all over.
Arch: Arco de Albandeira and Praia da Estaquinha beach
And from the same cliff as above, just turn around and look at the next area carved by the sea.
Just West of Praia da Albandeira is another small cove called Praia da Estaquinha. Do not miss walking on the cliff between them to discover the beautiful sea carved arch, Arco de Albandeira.
If you are a good swimmer you can go swim under it when conditions are safe!
Like Praia de Albendeira Beach, Praia da Estaquinha disappears at high tide as the waves go crashing against the cliffs.
At low tide, you can access it via a small tunnel from Albandeira beach or you can swim around the cliffs.
Love beaches? Have a look at my selection of the best Portugal Beaches !
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