São Rafael
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.
Photo by Natalia