The beautiful beaches of the Algarve are inspected regularly and many hold the coveted Blue Flag classification. They offer clear blue water and soft, clean, sand that slips between your toes. The beach at Luz is particularly clean and safe and perfect for families.

Meia Praia
Easily the biggest of Lagos' beaches, curving around the edge of the bay all the way from the marina to the river estuary at Alvor. It is a long open beach, but has not natural shade to shelter. Naturists favour the western end.

Praia da Luz
Access could not be easier to this long, lovely curve of sand right in front of the village. At the western end, the sand gives way to a platform of rocks. It is an ideal family beach.

Porto de Mos
Situated in a small bay between Luz and Lagos, this beach is flanked by cliffs, which usually give shelter and shade on one side or the other. There is a large car parking area and beach access is easy.

Burgau
The beach in front of the village of Burgau is bordered with cliffs. Good for snorkelling and scuba-diving. Parking near the beach is limited; it's best to leave the car at the top of the village and walk down.

Boca do Ria
It is tucked away but access to the beach is easy. To find it, turn off the EN125 at Budens. An alternative route is signposted on the back road between Praia da Luz and Burgau. Scuba divers and snorkellers will want to explore the remains of a French man-of-war lying on the seabed about 300m offshore.

Salema
In the Algarve's southwest corner, the long stretch of sand right in front of Salema village has cliffs at either end. Popular with windsurfers and good for scuba diving and snorkelling.