Praia dos Arrifes (Algarve, Portugal): tips + beach photos

Famous for its 3 large rock formations, Praia Dos Arrifes in the Algarve, Portugal, is a stunning little cove to explore.
 Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to Arrifes beach, with map, photos and tips.

Why visit Arrifes Beach in the Algarve?

As you can see in the panorama below, the beach of Arrifes is recognizable by its 3 rock formations enclosing the cove.
It is also called Praia dos Tres Penecos (Beach of the triple rocks) because of those 3.
With golden sand, it is a great place for photography and for kids to play.

Video - virtual visit

Below is a short video with the waves around Arrifes Beach. It will give an an idea of what your visit could look like.

More photos after the planning tips.

Planning tips & Map - Praia dos Arrifes Algarve

How to get to Praia dos Arrifes Algarve

• South of Portugal on the Algarve Coast - see my article with the best things to do in Algarve
• Just West of Albufeira
• and East of the famous Sao Rafael Beach
• Albufeira to Praia dos Arrifes = 10min drive
• Portimao to Praia dos Arrifes = 35min drive
• Below is a map to help you get oriented:

How to get to Praia dos Arrifes Algarve

• You need a car to visit Arrifes beach
• Last 200 m to the carpark are not paved

Need to rent a car in Portugal?
My tips:

• Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated sites!
• Choose the car and company you prefer (remember the villages narrow streets)
• Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my 36 tips about renting a car in Portugal

Visit tips

• Wooden steps to access the beach but not many as the cliffs are low
• Restaurant A Sardinha
• Parasols and chairs for hire
• Mix of sand and rocks - watershoes could be useful
• Better to explore at low tide for access to the rocks and all the coves.
• Small and near Albufeira, very crowded in summer
• I don't know if it was allowed, but many motorhomes had settled on the land near the carpark
• Check out the best rated accommodations in Albufeira

Where to stay in the Algarve?
My tips:

• For the most central to all best beaches - see best rated accommodations in Portimao
• For a smaller city with charm - see best rated accommodations in Lagos
• For long flat beaches - see best rated accommodations in Manta Rota
• For a larger town with all activities - see best rated accommodations in Albufeira

Learn more about each Algarve area, in this article

Access to Arrifes Beach - Restaurant and sand

The cliffs at Praia Dos Arrifes are quite low so access to the beach and its restaurant is easy, way easier than the Algarve western beaches such as the magnificent Camilo Beach.
I visited late afternoon as the sun was lowering. There would not be enough interesting light at sunset, but at the time I was there, some of the rocks were turning golden.

A Sardinha Restaurant

The beach has a restaurant at water level: A Sardinha.
Mediterranean cuisine with seafood and fish.

Facilities on the Beach

As you can see in the pictures above and below, the sandy area is quite small overall, and really small at high tide. It is only 75m in length.
Being very closed to the large town of Albufeira, it gets crowded in Summer. So, plan ahead.

Parasols are available for hire.

Plus, as there are many rock formations, this is a great beach for snorkeling.

This is not the best beach to swim in the Algarve, but it is a great one for those enjoying snorkeling or photography.

Beach of Arrifes in photos - Praia dos Tres Penecos

It was actually one of my favorites to photograph as there were smaller rocks everywhere making the water swirl in every direction:

According to Wikipedia, the plants at the top of the rock formations are salt resistant and grow there because the sea stacks are tall enough above water.

View from the cliffs

You can also admire Arrifes Beach from the surrounding cliffs. Just be careful with stability near the edge. 

Arrifes beach has several coves better accessed at low tide. From some angle the 3 rock formations almost look attached as one.

And just for the pleasure, here are a couple more shots of the sea stacks, one has a big hole at the top.

Praia Da Vigia

As you walk on the cliffs west from Arrifes Beach, you can see the smaller neighboring beach called Praia da Vigia.
At high tide, it almost disappears.

Cliff walk to Praia Sao Rafael

And you can keep walking east to Praia Sao Rafael. It is the next beach.
It is the most famous beach in the area of Albufeira. It has a large sand area and all the facilities (but it gets even more crowded in Summer).
And if you enjoy those views, keep walking to the other side of the Sao Rafael beach for more amazing cliffs.

Want to see more of the Algarve and Portugal?

• 30 Most beautiful landscapes in Portugal - read article
• Best things to do in Portugal - read article
• The best beaches in Portugal  - read article
• The best things to do in the Algarve region - read article
• Benagil cave and Algarve boat tours - read article
• The magnificent Ponta da Piedade - read article
• The famous Marinha beach - read article
• The unique Tres Irmaos beach - read article
• The magnificent orange cliffs of Praia da Falesia - read article

Planning a trip to Portugal?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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