Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha (often called Praia da Senhora da Rocha) is a small, rustic ocean beach in the Porches area of Lagoa, in Portugal's Algarve region, nestled between high cliffs that shelter it from wind.

It features golden sand and calm, clear waters ideal for swimming and launching boat trips to explore nearby sea caves, with an average summer water temperature of 20–22°C. On the western end, a rocky promontory holds the charming 14th-century Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha, built to house an image of the Virgin Mary reportedly found there, along with ruins of the old Fort of Nossa Senhora da Rocha.

A tunnel carved through this promontory connects the beach to Praia Nova on the other side. The beach is surrounded by abundant greenery including juniper, wild olive, and mastic trees, and the cliffs host many plants typical of saline environments plus birds like falcons, gulls, and swifts.

As a former refuge for local fishing boats, it retains a peaceful, unspoiled character with fewer crowds than nearby beaches, and on the first Sunday of August, the local fishing community celebrates an important religious festival with a procession from the cliff top down to the sand. Facilities include parking, showers, a bar, restaurant, sunshade and umbrella rentals, small boat rentals, accessibility features, and lifeguard service, and it holds Blue Flag status.