Peneco Beach Live Cam

The beaches of Albufeira and the surrounding areas are famous for their natural beauty and cleanliness and vary from wide open expanses of golden sand to secluded rocky coves.

Many of the beaches in this area have been awarded the Blue Flag Award and are also classified as ‘Accessible Beaches’ which means ramps, footpaths and walkways are in place allowing access right down to the sand. There are first aid areas, disabled toilets and various equipment to enable disabled people access to the beach and to the restaurants/bars.

Water sports can be found on many of the beaches and include sailing, windsurfing, pedalos and some motorised sports such as waterskiing, jet skiing and banana boats.

Sun beds and parasols are readily available for hire from all beaches and during peak season there are lifeguards on duty at most of the beaches.

The Albufeira coastline joins the Atlantic Ocean.

Some of the most popular beaches in the area of Albufeira are as follows:

This beach is located at the front of the Old Albufeira town. It is a very wide stretch of golden sand with a back drop of golden red cliffs. There are also some stunning rock formations in the sea. Water sports are on offer here and sun beds and parasols are available for hire. There are brightly coloured fishing boats lined up at the back of the beach depicting how it looked when it was once a small fishing village. There are bars and restaurants lining the beach, many serving fresh fish.

This beach is located to the West of Old Town Albufeira. Access to this beach is through a tunnel which has been drilled through the cliffs, which is close to the old town square. Alternatively, slightly further up there is an elevator which offers direct access to the beach. There are sun beds and parasols for hire on Tunnel Beach, along with some water sports such as jet skiing and windsurfing. There are also restaurants and bars by the beach.

Located to the East of the Old Town of Albufeira, this is the nearest beach to Areias de Sao Joao or ‘The Strip’. Oura is a stunning sandy bay with many water sports on offer such as parasailing, pedalos, banana boats and windsurfing. Sun beds and parasols are available for hire. The promenade behind the beach is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants.

Beaches to the West of Albufeira (in order of closest distance)

This stunning beach features some striking rock formations. It is an accessible beach with many facilities such as a bar, restaurant and public toilets. Sun beds and parasols are available for hire.

This small sheltered beach is very pretty and set amidst colourful cliffs. It is an accessible beach with showers and toilets and a cafe/restaurant.

A small rocky beach with paths leading up the cliffs where breathtaking views of the coastline can be observed. There is a restaurant and public toilets here.

A small beach surrounded by natural sand dunes. There is a restaurant and public toilets here.

Gale Beach has 2 parts to it. The western side is wide with fine soft sand and it is here water sports are available. The eastern side in contrast is characterised by many enchanting rock formations, caves and grottos. The rock pools are particularly popular with children. There are 3 restaurant/bars on the beach at Gale and these are a very popular place in the evenings to watch the beautiful sunset.

Salgados Beach is a wide, flat, golden sandy beach with large areas of natural sand dunes and a natural lagoon adjoining it. The lagoon is full of birds, including the Flamingo. Parking is located behind the sand dunes, so you take a short walk along the boardwalks to get to the beach. There are no large cliffs or rocks in the water at Salgados. There are several restaurants/cafes scattered along the long stretch of beach which leads to the neighbouring resort of Armacao de Pera around a 2 km walk along the shore line. The Salgados Golf Course backs onto the beach.

Albufeira Old Town

The old town of Albufeira lies at the bottom of a steep hill with a mass of whitewashed buildings, clinging to the cliffs and winding above it.

There is a central square which is lined with trees and bordered by cafes, restaurants and shops. The many winding narrow cobbled streets which lead off the square are full of restaurants, bars and shops selling clothes, leather goods and holiday gifts. Most of these streets are pedestrianised.

Albufeira Old Town is full of charm and during the summer months live entertainment and music is a regular feature in the main square.

There are also many excellent seafood restaurants on the sea front serving the fresh local catches of the day.

There are the remains of a castle built in Roman times; however this was virtually destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. A clock tower has been built on one of the old castle towers. There is also a museum in the Old Town and some churches if you wish to discover some Portuguese culture and history.

Albufeira - New Strip

The new modern area of Albufeira – Areias de Sao Joao or ‘The Strip’ as it is otherwise known is located approximately 3 kilometres from the Old Town. It runs from the Hotel Montechoro (North Strip) for about 2 kilometres right down to Praia da Oura beach (South Strip).

The Strip is a very lively street with an abundance of bars, clubs and restaurants. There is a wide range of international restaurants to suit all tastes.

There are several discos/clubs here. The two main Clubs being Kiss, with 3 floors which can be found a few minutes from the strip and Kadoc, halfway between Albufeira and Vilamoura which has over 5 dance floors and attracts well known DJ’s from all over Europe.

There is a tourist train which runs regularly between the Old Town and the Strip.

A vast choice of holiday accommodation can be found just off the strip on both sides of the road.

Vilamoura

Vilamoura or ‘Village of the Moors’ as it translates, is one of Europe’s largest purpose built tourist complexes and can be found in Central Algarve in Portugal, 22 kilometres from Faro Airport and approximately 10 kilometres from Albufeira.

Vilamoura is a very popular destination for golfers with six championship courses within the resort to choose from.

A major attraction in Vilamoura is the stunning 1000 berth marina. There are many restaurants, bars and shops lining the water’s edge. The marina is surrounded by hotels and holiday homes in addition to a large casino which provides regular evening entertainment such as dances and shows.

To the East of the Marina, the beach – Praia da Marina is located. This beach stretches to the neighbouring resort of Quarteira, 2 kilometres away.

To the West of the Marina, the beach – Praia da Falesia or Cliff Beach is located. This is a long sandy beach which stretches for 8 kilometres to the resort of Olhos d’Agua.

Other attractions in Vilamoura include a preserved Roman site and Museum of Cerro da Vila, a lawn bowling club, tennis centre, sports club, shooting club and a riding school.

Vilamoura is a great day out whilst holidaying in Albufeira.