The beaches of the Eastern Algarve are known for their long golden sand and clear water. Between Faro and Manta Rota, the beaches lie on a chain of 5 low islands: Barreta (Deserta), Culatra, Armona, Tavira and Cabanas, and on the Manta Rota Peninsula. All form a part of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and can be reached by small ferries.  There is invariably plenty of empty space on these beaches if you walk for 5 minutes, even in high season. Topless bathing is acceptable in all areas. Between Manta Rota and Vila Real, the beaches adjoin the land and consequently are busier and more built up behind, butthere is still plenty of space for all. ARMONA Access - Ferry from Olhaõ, 15 mins, though Ria Formosa. 10 mins walk through village and dunes. Facilities - Cafe's and restaurants in village. Nothing on beach. Comments - Miles of beach to the left. BARRIL Access - Miniature train (5 mins) or walk from Pedras D'el Rei , near St Luzia. Facilities - Everything. Comments - Kids love the train. Miles of empty beach left and right. The buildings were a tuna station, thus old boats and anchor 'graveyard'. Cabanas Access - Boat from Cabanas, 3 mins. Facilities -  Everything, on a small scale. Comments -  Miles of empty beach left and right. CULATRA Access - Ferry from Olhaõ, 30 or 45 mins, though Ria Formosa. 10 minute walk through village and dunes. Facilities - Cafe's and restaurants in village. Nothing on beach. Comments - A real fishing village. Great round trip with Farol also. Miles of abandoned beach. Don't miss the last ferry back. FÁBRICA Access - Boat from Fábrica, 2 mins. Walk from Manta Rota. Facilities - Nothing on beach. Comments - Nice restaurant on the water for before or after. Faro Access - Car, only 2 minutes from airport. Parking difficult in high season Facilities - Plenty of cafe's, bars, restaurants etc. Comments - Long peninsula beach, developed at back. Very popular in summer, big beach scene. Faces south west so often waves - can watch sunset over water from waterfront cafe's. Lagoon of Ria Formosa the other side of the peninsula. Good bird watching close by. Farol Access - Ferry from Olhaõ, 30/45 mins, though Ria Formosa. 5 min walk through village Facilities - Cafe's and restaurants in village, one bar on beach. Comments - Good fishing off the long breakwater. Great round trip with Culatra also. Don't miss the last boat back. FUZETA Access - by foot from town to lagoon beach. Ferry to ocean beach, 5 mins, though Ria Formosa. Aqua Taxi will also take you to the beach at the tip of the island. Facilities - One café - lagoon beach. One restaurant and WC, ocean beach. Nothing on beach. Comments - Miles of empty beach left and right. Our favourite. ILHA DESERTA Access - Ferry from Faro, 40 mins, through Ria Formosa. Facilities - One cafe near landing stage. Comments - Lives up to its name. How much empty beach do you want ? Also known as Cabo de Santa Maria, it is the southern-most point of Portugal. There is a boarded walk over the dunes. LOTA Access - Car, walk from Manta Rota. Facilities - Cafés at back of beach. Comments - Quieter than Manta Rota in season. Walk left for Altura, right for Manta Rota. MANTA ROTA Access - Car. Park in the huge car park behind the beach. Facilities - Everything on a small scale. Comments - The lagoon and the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve come to an end here. Miles of beach both left and right. Tavira Access- Ferry from Tavira in season, 15 mins, down Rio Gilão. Ferry from Quatro Águas all year, 5 minutes. Facilities- Everything Comments - Busy in season. Beautiful out of season. Miles of beach to the right. MONTE GORDO Access - By foot from Monte Gordo Facilities - facilities Comments - High body count. TERRA ESTREITA Access - Ferry from St.Luzia, 5 mins, though Ria Formosa. Facilities - Nothing on beach. Comments - Tavira beach to the left, Barril beach to the right. VILLA REAL Access - Car. Either park on the long road out to the beach with the Guardiana flowing on your left, or cut through on the sand road and park amongst the dunes further down the beach towards Monte Gordo. Facilities - Nothing on beach Comments - End of the line. Wide beach. Fishing from breakwater. Algarve Beaches Home | Accommodation | Faro | Beaches | Programmes | Location | About Us | Contact Us