• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZag On Earth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

Follow Us on PinterestFollow Us on FacebookFollow Us on RSS
  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE ROAD TRIPS
    • ANDALUCIA – coming soon
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • GREECE
      • CRETE
      • SANTORINI
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND – WINTER
    • PORTUGAL
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF THE WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • EBOOKS
  • TIPS
  • PUZZLES
  • ABOUT

Praia de Albandeira beach (Algarve, Portugal) – Tips + Photos

Last updated on December 22, 2020 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

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.

Pin Praia de Albandeira beach Algarve Portugal Travel (1)
Quick Navigation
Why visit Albandeira Beach in Algarve?
PLANNING TIPS - Praia de Albandeira, Algarve, Portugal
Access to Albandeira Cove 
Golden Sand beaches
Albandeira cliff walks
Arco de Albandeira and Praia da Estaquinha beach

Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide

Share0
Share +10
Tweet0
Pin0

This article contains affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


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 2

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
Portugal Algarve Map Algarve destinations

This location with its GPS coordinates and planning info is included in my eBooks to help you easily plan your Portugal itinerary:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

ssmall Road trip Iceland Travel Guide cover

13 easy-to-plan maps, 200+ photos
200+ pre-selected locations
LEARN MORE

Cover Ring Road travel guide Iceland

8 easy-to-plan maps, 65+ photos
110+ pre-selected locations
LEARN MORE

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
How to get to Praia da albandeira beach Algarve

Road to Albandeira

Parking access Praia da albandeira beach Algarve

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.

Praia de Albandeira Algarve 1

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!

Praia de Albandeira Algarve 3

This is the smaller cove on the other side of the rock formation:

Praia de Albandeira Algarve 4

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)

Praia da Albandeira portugal 2
Praia da Albandeira portugal 3

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.

Albandeira Beach Algarve photo 1
Albandeira Beach Algarve photo 2

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?

Albandeira Beach Algarve 1
Albandeira Beach Algarve 2

It is so relaxing to watch the waves crash on the rocks and the water spread all over.

Albandeira Beach Algarve 3

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!

Arco de Albandeira
Praia da Estaquinha Beach Algarve Portugal 2

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.

Praia da Estaquinha Beach Algarve Portugal 3

Love beaches? Have a look at my selection of the best Portugal Beaches !


Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

PREVIOUS: 

BOAT TRIPS ALGARVE CAVES

NEXT: 

PRAIA DOS ARRIFES BEACH

Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal destinations

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Praia da Falesia Beach (Algarve Portugal) – Tips + photos
Read More 
Benagil Sea Cave & Algarve Caves – How to visit + Photos + Video (Boat Trips)
Read More 
5 Best Villages in Portugal (with Photos) – stunning!
Read More 
20+ Must-See Portugal Attractions (in Photos) – Best villages, palaces, beaches…
Read More 

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Search

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

 

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

Copyright © 2020 ZigZag On Earth · Log in

If you continue browsing this site we assume you agree with the use of cookies in this website.OkRead more