ALENTAJO

PRAIA DO CARVALHAL

The Praia do Carvalhal is a “Blue Flag” beach located in the Alentajo about 12km from Odeceixe. If you appreciate natural beaches you will enjoy the peaceful and unspoilt location.

Blue flag beach: Yes
Dogs: No
Cafe/Restaurants: Just one – Carvalhal Beach Café/Bar. Snacks, soft drinks and alcohol. They do not sell Ice Creams!
WC facilities: Yes, including a toilet for the disabled. Toilets are locked. Key available at Carvalhal Beach Café/Bar
Surfing: ?
Fishing:
Life Guard: Yes (In season)
Parking: There are two carparks
Disabled facilities:There is a toilet for the disabled plus good access to the beach via a level wooden walkway. (Please see photograph above).
Directions: Approximately 1 hr 15mins drive from Lagos. From from Lagos take the N120 towards Sines. Keep driving until you eventually see a sign on the left to Azenhas do Mar. Note there are two turnings – take the second turning Go through the village of Brejão and past the Parque de Campismo do Monte Carvalhal da Rocha. Carry along this country road until the road forks. Take the Right hand fork which leads down to the car park for the beach

Read more about my visit to Praia do Carvalhal http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/praia-do-carvalhal-a-visit-to-the-beach-in-the-alentajo/

WESTERN ALGARVE

There are probably over 80 beaches in the Algarve 69 of which awarded the “Blue Flag”
Current list of “Blue Flag” Beaches and Marinas in the Algarve”
I will be visiting and reviewing several of these beaches over the next year but my focus will initially centre on the beaches of the Western Algarve and Costa Vincentina.

PRAIA DE VALE DE FIGUEIRA AND PRAIA DA CANAL

Praia da Canal is a small pebbly beach which then merges with the long sandy beach of Praia de Vale de Figueiras.
These deserted beaches can only be accessed via a rutted unmade road near Arrifana. The off-road tracks are like a maze in this area so I suggest you check out Google Earth for the exact location.

Please note there are no Cafes, Toilets or Life Guards.

ZAVIAL BEACH

Further information about Zavial Beach can also be found at http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/praia-do-zavial-western-algarve/”

MONTE CLERIGO

Monte Clérigo is located in the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vincentina near the village of Aljezur. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is totally unspoilt by the ravages of tourism. The one thing that amazed me and I was pleased to see was the good facilities for the disabled on such a an uncommercialised and natural beach (further details below)

Cafe/Restaurants: O Zé (open all year round) O Sago, and Rede
WC facilities: Yes – plus changing rooms in season including access for wheelchairs.
Surfing: Seems to be popular all year round. See
www.surf-forecast.com

Fishing: From the rocks or beach.
Life Guard: Yes (In season)
Parking: Yes
Blue flag beach: Yes
Disabled facilities:
There is good access to the beach via a level wooden walkway. A Tiralo is available which makes the beach accessible, with support, for people with reduced mobility. The service is free and allows people with a disability to go on the beach and even near the water (only in season between 10h to 19h)

Directions: From from Lagos take the N120 towards Sines. Just before the village of Aljezur turn left (signposts to Vale da Telha, Arrifana and Mónte Clérigo). At the top of the hill turn right and follow the road round to the beach of Monte Clérigo. The approach to Monte Clerigo beach is stunning with panoramic views down to the ocean and the beach below. There is a view-point where you can pull off the road and take photographs.

Tips: Please be aware that there is a strong undertow and current. There are no concession areas or shops on the beach so you will need to come equipped with your own parasol and beach chairs if required.

Further information about Monte Clérigo can be found at
http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/monte-clerigo/”

PRAIA DA AMOREIRA

Praia da Amoreira is a beautiful unspoilt sandy beach. It is popular with surfers, fishermen and those who just want to get away from the rat race of mass tourism and concrete highrise. There are no shops and I have not seen any concession areas so you will need to bring your own, parasols, beach chairs and windbreaks, if required.
Cafe/Restaurant: Restaurante Paraiso do Mar (Open all year) Tel 282 991 088
WC facilities: No (but there are toilet facilities in the restaurant)
Parking: Yes
Animals: No
Surfing: Yes
Life Guard: Yes (In season)
Fishing: Yes (There are restrictions on certain days of the week)
Disabled Facilities: Not that I noticed. Access to the beach is via some steep wooden steps or an uneven walkway.
Local tip: There is a lagoon beach area away from the main beach. Be careful of currents when tide is going out.
Directions: From Lagos take the EN120. Drive through Aljezur towards Rogil and just before the Pavilhão Gimnodesportivo Municipal on the Left hand side, you will see a sign to Amoreira Beach. The road down to the beach is flanked by beautiful scenery. Half way down the road, on the left hand side, there is access to an inland beach, this is the river that runs down to the sea. You will need to be careful due to currents when the tide is going out. Alternatively, continue down to the main beach.

Read more about Amoreira http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/praia-da-amoreira-the-best-kept-secret/

MEIA PRAIA BEACH – Lagos (Western Algarve)
views of Meia Praia and Lagos can be viewed here

A perfect place summer or winter!

Cafe/Restaurants: There are various restaurants but most close in the winter season.
Blue Flag: Yes
WC facilities: Yes
Surfing: Yes (sometimes)
Life Guard: Yes (In season)
Parking: Yes
Directions: Behind Lagos Marina and within walking distance from Lagos Station.
Local tip: The far end of the beach towards Alvor does attract nudist etc.

Further information about my day at Meia Praia Beach can be found at http://pigletinportugal.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/meia-praia-one-of-my-favourite-beaches/

PRAIA DO VALE DOS HOMENS(VALLEY OF THE MEN)

Praia do Vale dos Homens beach is located in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park just outside the village of Rogil in the Western Algarve. It is well off the beaten tourist track which makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a great “get away from it all” location. While some websites say it is suitable for bathing, I am not absolutely convinced. If you look at the video and pictures you will notice at low tide there are rocks along most of the shoreline.

Read more about Praia do Vale dos Homens