São Rafael
Known for its great beauty the São Rafael beach is close to the Ponte Pequena and Ninho das Andorinhas, locations where fascinating rock formations can be found.
The beach combines all comforts such as car park, food and beverage outlets, public toilets and sunbed rental.
São Rafael is a tiny seaside village of villas and apartments built in the traditional Algarve style – think whitewashed walls and terracotta roof tiles. You’ll find it on Portugal’s south coast, just outside Albufeira.
There’s a clutch of beachfront bars and restaurants, plus a supermarket. Other than that, it’s tranquility personified, so you’ll quickly forget you have a care in the world.
Even by the Algarve’s high standards, São Rafael’s beach is something special. Backed by tall limestone cliffs, it’s a Blue Flag-winning stretch of golden sand that wears the crown as Portugal’s number-one beach.
Its natural good looks are its main appeal, but its high-class restaurant, handful of watersports, and great snorkelling deserve a special mention, too.
Cover photo by Natalia | Photo by David van der Mark