Praia do Trafal

Quarteira, Portugal, Portugal

---

Praia do Trafal is a tranquil, spacious ocean beach in Quarteira, Loulé, in Portugal's Algarve region, also known as Praia do Cavalo Preto or Praia do Loulé Velho.

It features a very wide stretch of golden sand and calm, serene Atlantic waters, making it a peaceful alternative to busier nearby beaches despite being close to popular Quarteira. The beach is backed by a pine grove on one side and overlooks the sea on the other, with sand dunes bordered by wetland farmland to the northwest and the Royal Golf Course of Vale do Lobo to the northeast.

It has archaeological significance, with a Roman-era grave found in the cliff and submerged ruins of a Carthaginian fishing settlement, as well as Roman fish-salting tanks uncovered when the sea washes sand away. Facilities include a small, affordable restaurant, bar/snack-bar, bathhouses, and easy external parking, with car access allowed.

The beach is accessible via a charming wooden footbridge, and the route to it passes through a rural valley with olive, cork oak, and carob trees, plus old aqueducts and norias. Dogs are no longer allowed off-leash here.