Praia da Alagoa

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia da Alagoa (also known as Praia de Altura) is a long, extensive sandy beach stretching almost 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in the seasonal village of Altura, in the municipality of Castro Marim, Algarve, Portugal, part of the Baía de Monte Gordo coastal section.

The beach features a very long stretch of sand with a large dune system separating it from the village, pine trees, and aromatic gum rockroses surrounding it, creating a natural, scenic setting. The water is usually calm, shallow, warm, and safe for swimming, with an average summer seawater temperature of 22–24°C, making it especially amazing for families with young children since the water doesn't get too deep for a good distance.

It holds Blue Flag certification (EEC Blue Flag) for clean, safe water and environmental quality, and was also awarded in 2012 by the Portuguese environmental organization Quercus for its unpolluted, natural water quality. The beach is very crowded during summer but offers plenty of space for various activities including volleyball (with nets by the main access), soccer on the sand, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, and pedal boating, making it attractive to local families, young crowds, and a few tourists.