Praia de São Rafael

• In the town ofAlbufeiraThe region's tourist capital offers two distinct faces: the high-energy nightlife of "The Strip" and the charming, cobbled streets of the Old Town. Home to vast, golden sandy beaches.

Praia de São Rafael is a cove west of Albufeira where pale sand meets some of the most sculpted rock on this coast, full of arches and stacks. The soft sandstone has been worn into freestanding towers, windows and small grottoes, several of them right on the sand, and the shallow clear water around the rocks is good snorkelling territory in calm weather. Access is by ramp and steps from the clifftop, and the coast path above links towards the neighbouring coves. High tide shrinks the sand considerably, so it is at its best on a falling tide. It suits families, snorkellers and photographers happy to time their visit.

What’s on in Albufeira

1SEPT

Photography Exhibition “Times pass … memories remain" by Vítor de Sousa

6NOV

Albufeira Beach Bootcamp: Friday mornings

7NOV

Free

Albufeira Town Market

21NOV

Teresa Guilherme: A Primeira Vez, comedy tour