Praia do Castelo: the #1 guide
Praia do Castelo is a relatively small beach in the municipality of Albufeira. Even though there is one main area of the beach, there are some hidden corners and small coves nearby to explore. This beach is a good choice if you want to relax. Not too crowded and plenty to see. Let’s discover this beach.
Watch it in HD
If you would like to see Praia do Castelo and its surroundings, then check out the awesome video below.
The beach
Praia do Castelo consists of one main beach and several smaller coves. The main beach is about 200 metres in length, so it is a relatively small beach. Praia do Castelo forms a small bay and is surrounded by high cliffs.
On the western side of the beach (on the right side, when looking at the sea), you can see several smaller cliffs in the sea. Some of these cliffs seem to be separated from the rest. This makes Praia do Castelo easy to recognize.
Literally, Praia do Castelo translates as Castle beach. The name comes from the big rock in the water on the eastern side of the beach, which looks like the battlements of a castle (with some imagination). Moreover, in the 16th century, there was a watchtower on this beach, which protected the coast of Albufeira against pirates in medieval times. Near the entrance of the beach you can actually still see some remains of this tower. It fits well with the castle theme.
The sand on this beach is soft and golden. You will also see many shells on the beach. It is a great beach for collecting shells. In peak season, a big part of the main beach is taken over by sunbeds though. However, there is always space to put your own towel without having to pay.
The water of the sea here is crystal clear and good for swimming. Snorkelling is good here as well. Watch out for some rocks in the water, although there are fewer rocks than in nearby Praia do Evaristo.
Although Albufeira attracts many tourists, this part of Albufeira does not attract that much people. In summer, the beach is not as crowded as the urban beaches of Albufeira town. Praia do Castelo is mainly popular among Portuguese people, although you can see some tourists as well.
Fallen rocks
The high cliffs protect the beach against strong winds, so there is not a lot of wind on this beach. However, the cliffs on this beach are a bit unstable. Don’t sit underneath these cliffs. You can see evidence of fallen rocks everywhere on the beach.
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Cliff walk
You should definitely explore the area up on the cliffs. There are pathways which are safe to walk. You will see little bays and hidden coves that you can’t see when standing on the beach. During the walk you will also smell the fresh scent of pine trees, which are abundant in this area. Some nearby beaches where you can walk to are Praia do Evaristo in the west and Praia da Coelha in the east.
How to get there
The easiest way to move around in the Algarve is by car. If you don’t have one, make sure to rent a car. It is quite straightforward to reach Castelo beach. Take exit 9 on the A22 and follow the N395 towards Albufeira. Turn right on the M526 in the direction of Sesmarias. At some point you will see signs indicating the beach. There is a small car park on top of the cliffs, about 50 metres from the beach entrance. Access to the beach is via a wooden staircase.
Beach restaurant
There is a beach restaurant called O Pic-Nic. They offer fish and seafood, as well as more simple food. From the restaurant you have a great view over the beach and sea. The restaurant has mixed reviews though. We recommend to read the reviews before deciding to go eat here.
Hotels
If you would like to stay in Sesmarias, which is the area in Albufeira near Praia do Castelo, we recommend any of the following hotels:
- Hapimag Apartments Resort. This resort offers several studios and apartments. There is an outdoor pool and children’s playground. Moreover, the location is awesome: it is only a couple minutes of walking to the beach.
- Hotel Baia Grande. This four star hotel offers everything you need for a nice holiday in the Algarve. There is an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool, a games room and a hot tub. The rooms are spacious and some rooms have sea view.
- Torre Velha. This guest house in Sesmarias offers good value for money. While the price is relatively cheap, it has good rooms and friendly service. There is a nice outside terrace with a swimming pool. Some rooms have sea view as well.
Another option is to quickly check the availability of nearby hotels. Below you can find a map with the location of hotels near Sesmarias in Albufeira. By changing the date of your holiday, the map will show you the current prices.
Excursions
There is plenty to see in Albufeira and we strongly recommend to explore the region. One of the best ways to discover the area is by going on an excursion. You can book some of these excursions already beforehand. Below you can find our favourite excursions in the area.
Facilities
Praia do Castelo is a blue flag beach, which means it meets certain environmental and safety criteria. Furthermore, there are lifeguards in summer and there are plenty of sunbeds for hire. However, the beach is not accessible by wheelchair.
Facilities in Praia do Castelo:
- Restaurant: yes
- Bar/club: no
- Toilet: yes
- Shower: yes
- Water sports: no
- Sunbeds: yes
- Parking: yes
- Lifeguards: yes
- Blue flag beach: yes
