Praia de Almádena

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia de Almádena (also known as Praia das Cabanas Velhas or Praia dos Cabanos) is a small, cozy, and secluded beach nestled in a cove on the western Algarve coast near Burgau, protected from northwesterly winds and surrounded by rugged, craggy limestone cliffs.

The beach features a mix of sand and abundant pebbles, with sand extending eastward and becoming narrow at high tide, and visitors often use the pebbles to build semi-circular windbreak shelters. Accessible via a 15-minute walk down a winding path from Burgau (or by a longer coastal hike from Boca do Rio), it remains tranquil and uncrowded, attracting locals and those seeking peace, with a beach bar offering snacks and drinks and a children's playground available during summer months.

The beach is located just below the historic Forte de São Luís (Almádena Fortress), a 17th-century fortified structure built in 1632 to protect tuna fishing from North African pirate attacks, which now stands as a ruined landmark adding historical charm to the area. Rocky sections make it less ideal for sunbathing, but it offers excellent swimming, snorkeling, cliff-top walks with stunning ocean views, and opportunities for fishing from a popular pontoon at the eastern end of the sands.