Algarve Beach Encyclopedia! Vila Real de Santo António & Castro Marim

With this entry of the encyclopedia we reach the last sandstrips of the Algarve coast! Like all the other entries, you can see all of the beaches present in the easternmost parishes of the coastline, and a few of them will be presented in more detail. These parishes are Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, where the shoreline offers warm waters and fantastic sandstrips of different kinds. Here they are!

Vila Real de Santo António has an unusual shape in the map, in that it is divided in half by the parish of Castro Marim, detailed below. On its western side, the coastline offers the last tranquil sandstrips in the marvellous Ria Formosa natural park, and also the more urban and very popular Praia da Manta Rota, so you can try different atmospheres not far from each location.

Praia de Cacela Velha

Named after the village nearby, Praia de Cacela Velha is located in the easternmost portion of the beautiful Ria Formosa. With sandy islands constantly moving and changing their appearence, no two visits are alike. This unsupervised beach is a fantastic place to spend your time enjoying the sights of the sea, the Cacela village and fort and the peaceful, natural atmosphere all around you!

The parish of Castro Marim, located between the two halves of Vila Real de Santo António, has a short collection of three beaches only, but all of them are very worth while. These spots are all great at providing an ample sandstrip, warm waters and peaceful settings where you can simply enjoy the summer time. They are among the best in the area and never get too crowded!

Praia Verde

The appropriately named Praia Verde offers a huge pinetree plantation as scenery, aswell as warm waters and a wide sandstrip with plenty of room. This is one of the favourites in the area when summer comes, because it really has all you could possibly want for a sunny day at the beach. You will find easy accesses for everyone, beach facilities and supervision and lovely sights of the inviting coastline to be admired!

This is eastern part of the parish, and with it come the last kilometers of the portuguese coast. And there are beaches extending to the very border! They are not many, but all of them are excellent and offer different tastes. Try going from an untouched, secluded sandstrip, to a summer favourite near the city, to the last beach of Portugal, offering an amazing view of Spain across the Guadiana river!

Praia do Monte Gordo

Located at the shoreline of Monte Gordo, a very popular summer destination, Praia de Monte Gordo covers all the needs for the crowds of beach lovers that flock here every year! The sandstrip itself is huge, and as is natural in Algarve, the waters are very inviting and warm. But there is also a seaside walkway along the beach, offering viewpoints of the area, and the whole city is right there too, with many restaurants, shops, bars, activities and entertainment options for everyone.

As you can see, the Algarve coast offers great beaches right until the border! But if you are unatisfied and these are not enough for the beach lover in you, check out these other entries of this encyclopedia on the great beaches of Algarve: the amazing sandstrips of Lagos, or the lovely coast of Lagoa!