The limestone cliffs of the central Algarve reach their most dramatic expression at Praia da Marinha, where centuries of rain and Atlantic storms have carved the golden rock into arches, pillars, and sea caves.

At the western edge of the beach stands the Arcos Naturais, a double sea arch that has become one of the most photographed natural features in southern Portugal; viewed from a certain angle, the rock forms a near-perfect heart shape, known locally as O Coração do Algarve.

Below these cliffs lies a sweep of golden sand lapped by waters of remarkable clarity. The sheltered position of the beach means currents are gentle and waves rarely build to any size, making conditions ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and families with young children. Lifeguards supervise throughout the summer.

On a calm sunny day in May, the Praia da Marinha is the best beach in the Algarve, but it won’t be like this in the summer!

Such beauty comes with a cost. Praia da Marinha is famous, and in high summer it feels like it: the small car park fills early, police close the access road, and the beach itself can feel cramped at high tide. Visit in May or early June and you will find one of Europe's great beaches almost to yourself. Visit in August and you will share it with half the continent.

 

 

The beach also marks the starting point of the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, a 7km cliff-top trail that follows this spectacular coastline westward past Benagil Cave to the lighthouse at Alfanzina. Many rate it the finest coastal walk in Portugal. This guide covers everything needed to plan a visit: timing, transport, parking, and alternative beaches for when the crowds become too much.
Related articles: The best beaches of the Algarve – The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos

The Arcos Naturais stands at the western edge of the beach, a double sea arch carved from the limestone cliffs over millennia. From the main pathway above the beach, a particular angle reveals the rock forming a near-perfect heart shape, known locally as O Coração do Algarve and one of the most photographed views in southern Portugal. A second viewpoint exists at the cliff edge but is neither accessible nor safe.

“Heart of the Algarve” - This viewpoint is along the main pathway and can be easily photographed

“Heart of the Algarve” 2 - This viewpoint is on the cliff edge and is neither accessible nor safe

The waters at Praia da Marinha are among the clearest on the Algarve coast. The beach's sheltered position keeps the sea calm on most days, while submerged rocky outcrops close to shore support abundant marine life: excellent conditions for snorkelling.

The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos begins at the western end of the beach and follows the cliff tops for 7km through some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Portugal. The trail passes sea caves, hidden coves, and the famous Benagil Cave before reaching the lighthouse at Alfanzina.

A sea cave on the Vale Espinhaço headland

Kayaking and SUP offer a different perspective on the coastline, with routes weaving between rock formations and into sea caves. Benagil Cave lies just 1km to the west. Equipment cannot be hired directly from the beach, though several tour operators use Praia da Marinha as an end point for guided paddles along this stretch of coast.

Getting there and parking
Parking is the single biggest challenge of visiting Praia da Marinha. The car park holds just 32 vehicles and is free, but on summer mornings it fills within an hour or two of sunrise. Once full, police close the access road approximately 1km from the beach to prevent illegal parking on the surrounding lanes. Roadside parking near this closure point is extremely limited.

The most reliable option is to arrive by taxi or Uber; these are permitted to drive to the cliff-top car park regardless of road closures. Book the return journey in advance or plan to leave by mid-afternoon: demand for rides surges at the end of the beach day and prices rise accordingly.

The parking situation is worse still at nearby Benagil, where the car park is even smaller and the beach more famous. This entire stretch of coastline suffers from a mismatch between the Algarve's tourism promotion and its parking infrastructure; until this changes, arriving without a car remains the least stressful approach.

Access to the beach
A series of staircases and steep slopes lead from the cliff top down to the sand. There is no step-free access, and the route is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.

Facilities
Toilets are located at the cliff-top car park; there are none on the beach itself. No showers are available, and sunbeds and umbrellas cannot be hired.

A snack bar operates on the beach, though prices reflect the location and queues build quickly in high season. Refreshment vans and beach stalls at the cliff top offer alternatives. Bringing your own food, drinks, and shade remains the most practical option for a full beach day.

Swimming and the beach
The beach is ideal for families. The sand is soft and fully covers the shore, the water remains calm on most days, and there are no strong currents. Lifeguards are on duty from June to mid-September.

The sea here is the Atlantic, and water temperatures rarely exceed 22°C even in August; refreshing rather than warm. The exceptional clarity and rocky outcrops close to shore make conditions ideal for snorkelling.

Arrive early. This simple advice solves most of the problems associated with visiting Praia da Marinha: the car park will have spaces, the beach will be quiet, and you can claim a good spot before the crowds arrive.

The single access point from the cliffs deposits visitors near the snack bar, and this section of beach remains the busiest throughout the day. A better option lies around the western headland, past two prominent rock pillars, where a larger stretch of sand sees fewer visitors. At the far western end, the tiny Praia da Mesquita can be reached by scrambling over collapsed cliff debris, though this requires some agility.

Tides make a significant difference here. At low tide the full extent of the beach is accessible on foot, but high tide dramatically reduces the available sand and can leave the main beach feeling cramped. Checking tide times before visiting is worthwhile; on days when high tide falls in the middle of the afternoon, one of the alternative beaches detailed at the end of this guide may prove a better choice.

To the east, Praia do Pau sits below the cliffs but can only be reached from the water. Some visitors attempt to scramble down, though this is not safe. Beyond the eastern headland lies the larger Praia da Malhada do Baraço, similarly inaccessible by land and often used by high-end boat tours as a secluded lunch stop for their clients.

The Praia da Malhada do Baraço, a deserted paradise beach and a favourite location for lunch with the high-end boat tours

Praia da Marinha marks the eastern trailhead of the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, widely regarded as the finest coastal walk in the Algarve. The trail follows the cliff tops westward for 5.5km, passing a succession of sea caves, secluded beaches, and dramatic rock formations before ending at Praia do Vale de Centeanes. Most visitors walk the route as an 11km round trip, though a connecting path continues to the resort town of Carvoeiro for those wanting a longer day.

From Praia da Marinha the path passes the Arcos Naturais before reaching Benagil Cave, visible from the cliff top but only accessible by water. Beyond Benagil the trail continues past the lighthouse at Alfanzina and drops down to the beaches at Praia do Carvalho and Praia de Benagil, both worth a stop if time allows.

The terrain is rough in places, with uneven surfaces and some exposed sections near cliff edges. Sturdy footwear is essential; sandals or flip-flops are not suitable.

An interactive map of the hike is shown below, with the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos marked in green and the additional stage to Carvoeiro in yellow. The Praia da Marinha beach is marker number 7.

Sights along the route: 1) Praia do Vale de Centeanes beach 2) Farol de Alfanzina Lighthouse 3) Praia do Carvalho 4) Praia de Benagil 5) Benagil Cave 6) Arcos Naturais (double sea arch) 7) Praia da Marinha 8) Praia de Carvoeiro 9) Algar Seco rock formation 10) Praia de Vale Covo beach
A full guide to the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos covers the route in detail.

Praia da Marinha deserves its reputation, but the central Algarve coastline has dozens of beaches with similar scenery and far fewer visitors. On busy summer days, these alternatives offer a more relaxed experience.

East towards Albufeira
The coastline between Armação de Pêra and Albufeira holds several beaches that match Praia da Marinha for beauty. Praia de São Rafael and Praia do Castelo both offer the same combination of golden cliffs, clear water, and sheltered coves, with better parking and fewer crowds. The smaller Praia do Evaristo, tucked between the two, sees fewer visitors still. Praia de Albandeira, roughly midway between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, has its own sea arch and remains relatively quiet even in high season.

West towards Carvoeiro
Praia do Vale de Centeanes marks the western end of the Sete Vales Suspensos trail and makes a fine beach day destination in its own right. Praia do Carvalho, reached through a tunnel carved into the cliff, rewards those willing to tackle the steep access steps. Praia dos Caneiros, closer to Ferragudo, sits away from any development and rarely feels crowded.

Avoid Praia de Benagil in summer; the tiny beach is overwhelmed by visitors trying to access the famous cave, and parking is virtually impossible.

When crowds are unavoidable
At weekends in July and August, even the quieter beaches fill up. On these days, head to Praia da Galé east of Armação de Pêra: a long sweep of sand with space for everyone and multiple car parks. The town beach at Armação de Pêra, despite the high-rise apartments behind it, also has room to spread out and good facilities for families.

The Praia de São Rafael, near Albufeira, is a gorgeous beach