Praia da Rocha, just south of the town of Portimão , is perhaps the most famous beach in the Algarve . Here is where the fame of the Algarve as being a holiday paradise started. In the late 1800's people started coming here and the trend never showed any signs of slowing down.

Praia de Alvor is close to the old fishing village of Alvor and extends for about 2 kilometres in the direction of Lagos . The beach and the dunes have the sea on one side and the river Alvor on the other, thus creating a lagoon which, although shallow, provides a save harbour for the fishing boats of the village.
In between the two there are quite a few smaller and secluded beaches for you to explore.

The major beaches have lifeguards and offer a variety of water sport facilities, restaurants, snack bars and bars.