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Know Algarve!

Discover a beach paradise in the south of Portugal. Best beaches of Algarve.

11 of May 2022

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Armação de Pêra

This is Armação de Pêra in Algarve – paradise on earth. Unless, of course, if paradise is about the best beaches in Europe. We traveled all over the south of Portugal, and, as for me, Armação de Pêra and surroundings is the only place worth going to. Most tourists go to Albufeira, and I don’t know the reason why this place is so popular. Come here and you will never regret it.

Armação de Pêra is an ideal travel location for many reasons: it has the most beautiful beaches, the town is almost deserted even during the season! Look at the photo of the beach and it’s June! Local restaurants offer a very tasty traditional food – not tasteless tourist one. There are hotels for every taste and budget, and there is no overbooking in them. What else do you need to enjoy and relax?

Beaches of the Algarve region have a distinctive feature – yellow sand and rocks consisting of sand and shells. Algarve´s rocks have a bizarre shape, in some of them we can recognize figures of animals and even human faces. I´ll tell you more about it later.

Praia do Vale do Olival

I really suggest you visit the local beach Praia do Vale do Olival and the symbol of the Algarve, the arch rock. It is here where my love for Portugal began. This is the first place I visited and it has always been my favorite one. If you are lucky and tide is low, you can sit right next to this rock and swim in the ocean. How enjoyable it is!

I also recommend you to take an unforgettable walk above the beach. There is a very nice route that starts on the beach.

View to Armação de Pêra
On the way to the beach
View to the beach Praia dos Beijinhos

You can also take a nice walk along the town of Armação de Pêra itself. Although there is nothing special in the town, well, except perhaps the local cuisine.

Pretty needlework can be found on the streets of Armação de Pêra.
A little church in Armação de Pêra.

Where to eat in Armação de Pêra

1) Estrela do Mar

I recommend this place, probably because it is the first place where we had lunch when we came to Algarve and because it is located on the fishermen’s beach, and I´d rather think that fish comes straight from the ocean to my plate. This is a traditional Portuguese restaurant with homemade food. For grilled fish lovers, this is the right place to eat.

2) Restaurante e marisqueira Hera

A restaurant that offers the freshest fish and seafood and a good service. There is nothing more to add.

3) Rocha da Palha

Good quality restaurant with a varied menu. You can taste the traditional dish of Algarve here – cataplana.

I decided to cook Cataplana at home, check out my recipe here

4) Sardinha Assada

Beach restaurant with ocean and rocks views. Wide selection of fish and seafood. It also offers the traditional cataplana.

Restaurante e marisqueira Hera (fish with potato and vegetables)

Boat trip in Algarve

You can reach Benagil Beach from Armação de Pêra in just 15 minutes by car. Must-do thing here is a boat trip, which offers you an unforgettable experience. During the tour you will see a large number of caves and rocks, and the most important thing – Algar de Benagil cave with its own beach, which can be considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Benagil boat trip
Lighthouse Alfanzina
A rock with a human face. 
Algar de Benagil cave
View from above to Algar de Benagil
An elefant rock

I strongly advise you to return to the beach Praia da Mesquita on foot. You can take a famous photo of the rocks that form a heart shape from a certain perspective from here – another symbol of a beautiful Algarve.

Google search of Heart of Algarve (Arco de Mesquita)

Best beaches of Algarve

Next, I present to you my selection of the best beaches of Algarve.

1) Praia do Vale do Olival

Arch rock.

2) Praia dos Beijinhos

Rocks and the ocean.

3) Praia da Mesquita

Take a photo of the Heart of Algarve or just do snorkeling among the rocks.

4) Praia de Albandeira

Another arch rock.

5) Praia Morena

Beach with a submarine rock. Yes, it really looks like a submarine!

6) Praia de Benagil

Cave with its own beach. I don’t know any other way to get there, if not by water. Kayaking is perfect!

 

Without any doubt, Algarve is one of the best beach holiday destinations. I think everyone will find his/her special beach, which will forever remain in the memory. The best time to go to the ocean beach is October, as the water is already warm enough and is just perfect for swimming. In June, the water is still ice cold, but for those who are not afraid of cold, it is a great opportunity to enjoy ocean water avoiding crowds of tourists. August is the hottest month for local tourism. Anyway, I invite you to get in the car and discover an amazing Algarve!

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