Beautiful views at Praia da Marinha beach Algarve

Did you know Praia da Marinha was voted one of the world’s most beautiful beaches? This stunning beach is located in the Algarve region in Southern Portugal. Its beauty doesn’t go unnoticed, as many people want to visit this location in the summer months.

It gets busy, and after a few failed attempts, I finally saw the incredible cliffs on the Algarve coast. This travel guide will help you find these incredible views, and I will happily give you some tips on when to go and where to park. Are you ready to visit this famous beach in Portugal?

What is Praia da Marinha Algarve?

Praia da Marinha is one of the most famous beaches in the Portuguese Algarve region, and for good reason! The cliffs around Marinha Beach are spectacular and well worth a visit. The Algarve is famous for the rock formations shaped by the sea, rain and storms. They’ve been millions of years in the making, and the limestone cliffs have a unique relief. These limestone rocks are believed to be between 24 and 16 million years old!

The landscape constantly changes, and land is lost to the sea between 2mm and 2 meters annually. In winter, landslides can occur, drastically changing the coastline. Seawater and rain easily shape the rocks, creating the so-called karst landscape. The erosion and landslides create the sea stacks we can see on the coast today.

What to expect at Praia da Marinha, Portugal?

The rocks and the surrounding cliffs are the highlight of Praia da Marinha. You can follow the walking trail to the nearby cliffs and enjoy the beautiful views over the colourful limestone formations and blue sea. If you look closely, you can also see the heart of the Algarve (o coraçao do Algarve). There is a fence for protection to see the double sea arch, so be careful to take a good picture of the heart! 

The steep cliffs are a must-see when visiting the Algarve, but you can also enjoy a day at the beach! The clear blue water is a welcoming treat on hot days, and there are lifeguards in summer. There is also a small snack bar, but you can also bring your own food and drinks. Families love the beach due to its safe swimming conditions.

Praia da Marinha is a relatively narrow beach that can feel very crowded at high tide. With certain tides and winds, there can also be a lot of seaweed. With low tide, the beach has much more space, and it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.

Where is Marinha Beach?

Praia da Marinha is located between Benagil Beach and Armação de Pêra. It’s located in the central Algarve, with towns like Porches and Lagoa nearby. It’s a 40-minute drive from Lagos, and from Faro, it takes nearly 50 minutes.

How do you get to the beach in Praia da Marinha?

By car

So, if you decide you want to visit the best beach in the region, how do I get to Praia Marinha? The easiest way to reach Marinha Beach is by car. We usually rent a car at Faro Airport for our Algarve holidays, and the perfect way to see the coastline. DiscoverCars has an easy-to-use website that shows the best deals with companies like Sixt, Hertz, and Europcar.

By public transport

You can also reach Praia da Marinha by bus. Use the Algarve Train Service to Lagoa and take bus 77 from Lagoa Bus Terminal to the beach. The journey only takes 20 minutes, but in summer, it gets busy! Please note that the bus only runs during the week. On the way back to the bus station, the bus might be unable to drive to the bus stop due to congestion. In that case, walk up towards the main road to catch the bus.

With a guided tour

If you want to avoid driving or taking public transport, a guided tour is your best option! Excursions are organised from popular towns such as Lagos, Albufeira, and Faro. You will also visit many other beaches and stunning parts of the Algarve coastline. Most excursions include the Benagil Cave and Algar Seco.

By boat or kayak

To enjoy the view from the Atlantic Ocean, you can enjoy a boat trip along the coast! The boat trips depart from Benagil Beach and Armação de Pêra, and you can enjoy some amazing sights along the way! 

⛵️ Book your boat trip from Armação de Pêra or step onboard in Benagil! The boat tour from Armaçao de Pêra at sunset is also magical!

You can rent a kayak or sup board from the nearby Benagil beach. It’s about 1 kilometre from Praia da Marinha, so you’ll have to paddle your way here. A guided tour with a kayak is a wonderful and sporty way to discover the coastline! You can see the Benagil Cave up close and fully immersed in nature.

Best time to visit Praia da Marinha Algarve

The best time to visit Marinha Beach depends on the season. The Algarve is a popular destination, especially in the summer months, and many people want to see the golden sand beach! Sunrise at Praia da Marinha is fantastic, and you can enjoy the cliffs to yourself! So arrive early for a parking space.

In the height of summer, I suggest coming as early as possible or later in the day for the sunset. In spring and autumn, it’s quieter, and on a cloudy day, you can expect fewer crowds, too. The winter months are the low season in the Algarve, but it can be cold and stormy, and the rain can cause landslides.

I first tried to visit the Praia da Marinha Algarve during COVID-19. I was visiting in late September and planned to hike the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, also known as the Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail.

The Seven Hanging Valleys trail starts at Marinha Beach, but soon enough, I was sent back to the main road: the parking area was full. We drove to Carvoeiro instead and started the trail from there, which was much easier to park. 

So I learned my lessons, and I came back during another Algarve trip in June—this time early-ish in the morning! We arrived around 10 AM, and the parking area had plenty of spaces left. We hiked part of the Seven Hanging Valley, and when we returned, the car park was filled to the brim! Each time I visit, I aim to arrive before 10 AM.

Praia da Marinha parking lot

Parking at Praia da Marinha is free, but the spaces are very small and fill up quickly. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to come early in the summer months! There is a parking area near the cliffs and one a bit further up the road. This one is also suitable for larger cars and campers. 

The police will block the roads on busy days to avoid roadblocks and disruptive parking. If you’re struggling to park your car at Praia Beach, you can grab an Uber from the nearby towns, which can drive to the car park. 

Tip: If you return by taxi, it can be a bit crowded hailing a cab. Many people will leave the beach at the end of the day, causing queues and higher taxi prices. Leave the beach a bit earlier or stay until later to avoid this. 

Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

The PR1 LGA Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one of the best hikes in the Algarve! The trail follows the windy roads along the cliffs, offering the best views! The 5.7-kilometre route (3.54 miles) runs between Praia do Carvalho and Marinha Beach, all along the water. You can enjoy the many views from the hanging valleys, after which the walk is named.

Each hanging valley used to be associated with a river mouth, and you can clearly see the intensive erosion. It’s taken millions of years for the landscape to be sculpted this way, and the Algarve is so well known for its famous rocks. You will hike along many caves and discover unique plants like juniper thickets.

The Seven Hanging Valleys trail is a linear walking trail, meaning you’ll have to hike back or arrange transport. The return route is 11.4 kilometres (7.08 miles) and will take around six hours to complete. The maximum height difference is 45.50 meters (150 feet), and the difficulty level is medium. We use AllTrails for all our hikes, so we know exactly where to start and go.

You’ll also pass the famous Benagil beach and Benagil Cave. The cave can be seen from above, but you’ll need to join a boat trip to visit it from the sea. Algar Seco is another highlight of the hike, and these rock formations are near Carvoeiro.

The best time to hike is spring or autumn. The Algarve has hot summers, and there are not many facilities on the trail. Regardless of the time of year, bring plenty of sunscreen and water! A snack or packed lunch is also a great idea. You can enjoy a swim on one of the beautiful beaches you’ll find along the way.

Hotels near Marinha Beach

Would you like to stay near these stunning beach formations? There are some hotels near Praia da Marinha! You can use the map below to find your perfect spot, but I also highlighted three Praia da Marinha hotels for you to choose from.

FAQ

Are you planning a visit to Praia da Marinha?

Praia da Marinha is one of the must-see beaches while visiting the Algarve. It’s known for its outstanding natural qualities and clear blue sea. The beach is surrounded by steep rock formations, offering breathtaking views.

Visiting the beach early in the day is best because there are limited car parking spaces. Bring some food and drinks to spend the entire day at the beach. The beach has no high waves, and the fine sand is perfect for a beach day. Active travellers might like to discover the excellent Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail along the ocean.

It’s easy to reach Marinha Beach with a rented car, but you can also take an Uber or bus. Another option is to join an excursion to see even more amazing beaches in this part of Portugal!

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