Best Beaches in Sagres &
the Western Algarve

Beliche is what happens when you carve a beach into the base of 40-metre cliffs and let the Atlantic do the rest. A steep staircase leads down to a crescent of sand enclosed on three sides by towering limestone walls, creating a natural amphitheatre that is sheltered from the wind but open to serious surf. It is one of the most photogenic beaches in the Algarve, and one of the least accessible, which keeps the crowds away. The waves are consistent and powerful, attracting surfers year-round. A small beach bar opens in summer at the top of the stairs. Beliche sits on the road between Sagres and Cape St. Vincent, 3 km from town, and is worth the stop even if you are just driving past.

Tonel is the beach you see in every Sagres photograph and the one that stays in your head long after you leave. Sitting directly below the Sagres Fortress, its wide stretch of golden sand faces the full force of the Atlantic, with powerful, consistent waves that have made it one of the best surf beaches in southern Portugal. When the swell is up, Tonel is electric. When it is calm, the rock formations at the southern end reveal tidal pools worth exploring on foot. The fortress walls loom above the cliffs to the south, a backdrop that no other surf beach in Europe can match. Several surf schools operate here year-round, and there is a beach bar open in summer. The wind can be relentless, especially in the afternoon, but that is part of the deal.

Mareta is the town beach, the one you walk to in flip-flops when you do not feel like driving anywhere. Stretching for over 700 metres along Sagres’ southern edge, it is sheltered by cliffs on both sides, which means the water is calmer and the wind less fierce than at Tonel or the west-coast beaches. Families, swimmers and beginner surfers share the sand comfortably. Three restaurants sit along the promenade above, and there are sun lounger rentals in summer. The eastern end is always quieter. This is also where the Fishermen’s Trail section to Salema begins, so if you are walking the coast, your first steps start here.

​If you are travelling with children, Martinhal is where you go. The bay faces south-east, almost completely sheltered from the Atlantic swell, and the water is shallow enough that small children can wade without worry. Limestone islets dot the horizon offshore, and at low tide the rock pools between them are full of crabs, anemones and small fish. The Martinhal Resort sits behind the dunes, but the beach itself is public and rarely feels crowded, even in August. Stand-up paddle and windsurf are popular here when the conditions are right. It is a 20-minute walk from the town centre or a 5-minute drive.

Baleeira Beach is a small, peaceful beach located near Sagres’s fishing harbor. It offers views of colorful fishing boats and the busy harbor, creating a unique maritime atmosphere. The sandy beach is interspersed with rocks, making it ideal for exploring tide pools or simply enjoying the tranquil surroundings away from the larger, busier beaches.

Telheiro Beach is a secluded Atlantic beach, accessible only via rough dirt tracks and a challenging footpath. Its unique beauty comes from the striking geological colors, warm-toned cliffs between dark schists to the north and white limestones to the south.The beach’s name recalls the area’s historic clay extraction for tile-making. Remote and wild, Telheiro offers a truly unspoiled, scenic escape for adventurous visitors and geology enthusiasts alike.