Looking for great beaches on the Algarve? The Algarve has some of the best beaches for kids. Many are coves with gentle sloping sands into the water, lifeguards and water sports on hand, and restaurants, toilets and sunbeds a plenty. We generally tried to avoid the biggest crowds, but it was August so I won’t pretend we had the beach to ourselves any day!
These were our favourite beaches in the Algarve to visit with the kids. Looking for non-beach activities on the Algarve? Then we’ve got our general ‘Things to do on the Algarve with kids’ and ‘Things to do in Lagos, Alvor and Portimao‘ blogs.
Salema Beach
Salema Beach is a lovely choice if you want a beach day with a village attached. The beach itself is sandy and pretty, with fishing boats, restaurants close by and a more relaxed feel than some of the bigger resort beaches. It is also known for dinosaur footprints in the surrounding rocks, which gives you an easy little “did you know?” moment if the kids need tempting away from the water. They are marked on google maps, but the sand does shift so some days they are more visible than others! This is definitely one of the best Algarve beaches you will find.
The sea was very calm here. The best thing was that the water was beautifully shallow, so this would be a great spot for younger kids.
Useful to know: Free beach access. Facilities and lifeguards are seasonal, and parking can be tighter in peak summer, so arrive early. There are plenty of restaurants and smaller supermarkets along the promenade.
Salema is not far from Sagres so would be a great place to combine. We found an amazing Indian restaurant on the road to Sagres – Holi Diwali. This was amazing for vegetarians and the kids. Definitely check it out if in this area
Praia do Cordoama
If you have older kids looking for an Algarve beach with more excitement then this is for you. Praia do Cordoama feels wilder and more windswept than the southern resort beaches, with huge cliffs, wide sand and big Atlantic energy. It is beautiful for a bracing walk, shell-spotting and letting older children run. However, it is not the beach I would choose for tiny paddlers on a rough sea day. Our two loved jumping and running from the waves, and they definitely got calmer as the sun began to set. You can hire sun loungers and brollies from the surf rental shop too – 20 euros for a day.
The surfers come here and you can hire boards and wet suits during the summer months. Parking was a challenge. But with a little patience we were parked within 10 minutes of arriving and it was so worth it.
Note, unlike many other Algarve beaches there’s limited facilities here, including no toilets, so watch out!
Tavira Island and Praia do Barril
Tavira Island is a brilliant family day out because getting there feels like part of the fun. For the main Ilha de Tavira beach, ferries usually run from Quatro Águas year-round. From Tavira town seasonally, with summer crossings often every 15–30 minutes. The beach is long, sandy and backed by the Ria Formosa. You can make it as busy or as quiet as you like by walking a little further from the ferry drop-off.
We opted for Praia do Barril. The little tourist train from Pedras d’el Rei is a highlight for younger children. It trundles across the lagoon to the beach in around 8 minutes, or you can walk the flat route beside the tracks if everyone has the energy in around 15 minutes. It’s 4 euros per person for a return ticket and you can buy them at the car park or on the platform itself. At the beach, the anchor cemetery adds a quirky bit of history to your sandcastle session.
This Algarve beach was very busy when we arrived around 3pm, but by 5/6pm it was a lot quieter. The train runs until 8.30 in the summer. You can again rent sun loungers and do water sports and there are several restaurants for drinks and snacks – although I do have to say that the food quality wasn’t the best!
Alvor beach, Alvor
Alvor Beach is a big, golden, family-friendly sweep of sand with plenty of room for digging, paddling, running and dramatic snack negotiations. The sea can vary by day, but the space is the real win: even in busier months it usually feels easier to spread out than on smaller cove beaches. It was our go-to Algarve beach on an evening for sunset swims.
At the far left (as you look at the sea) or East of the beach is a larger parking lot, 3 beach restaurants and 4-5 coves to explore. This was our favourite area on the beach and there was always plenty of space, even in August. There are water sports but these are further along the beach towards the town.
There’s more to do in Alvor with kids. If you aren’t staying here then you could definitely make a whole day of adventure.
Praia Grande, Portimão
We ended up here when the Slide and Splash water park just looked horrendously busy. It’s a long beach with sun loungers, an inflatable water park (10-15 euros), SUP, kayak and pedalo rental (20 euros) and there are restaurants behind the beach which do takeaway food, drinks and coffees – or sit in if you prefer. Club Nau does some great cocktails too! It’s got a bit of atmosphere, and you can enjoy watching the boats leave from Portimão marina. The waves aren’t as big as it is a sheltered beach and there are toilets and parking nearby which is always a key feature!
