Praia Maria Luísa

• 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 Maria Luísa lies between Albufeira and Olhos de Água, golden sand beneath ochre cliffs carved into arches and freestanding stacks. The rock architecture is the draw here, with arches on the sand itself and stacks just off it, among the most distinctive formations on the central Algarve coast. Access is by ramp and steps from the car park above, and at lower tides the sand opens up and links towards the neighbouring beaches. The cliffs along this stretch are actively eroding, so the posted warnings about keeping clear of the rock face are worth taking seriously. It suits families, photographers and coast-path walkers breaking the route with a swim.

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