Rusty anchors partially buried in the white sand dunes of Praia do Barril, forming the eerie yet beautiful Anchor Cemetery under a clear blue sky. These historic anchors, once used by tuna fishermen, now stand as a memorial to the regionā€™s maritime past.

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How to reach Praia do Barril Beach and the Anchor Cemetery

ByMarga Hours Posted on

Have you heard of Barril Beach in the Algarve? It’s well known because of the anchor cemetery and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve Region in southern Portugal. Praia do Barril is located on Tavira Island in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, and you can reach the beach by train from Santa Luzia.

We love Tavira Island, and we visit the beaches whenever we can! The beach is huge, and even in the summer months, there is enough space for everyone. It has outstanding facilities and several restaurants.

In this post, I will explain how to catch a train to Praia do Barril Beach or how to reach the beach by foot. I will also share what you can expect at Barril Beach Praia and whether the beach is worth visiting. Hint: it’s one of the best beaches in the Algarve! 

Short overview of Praia do Barril, Algarve 

  • What is Praia do Barril? Barril Praia is known as the anchor cemetery, but it’s also an amazing beach for spending a day or a few hours. You can reach it by foot or train, and there are good facilities.
  • Where is Praia do Barril located? Barril Beach is located on Ilha de Tavira, an island in the Ria formosa Natural Park near Tavira. Tavira is a city in the Algarve region, east of the Algarve capital, Faro.
  • Is Barril Beach worth visiting? Praia do Barril has beautiful sand dunes and deep blue seas. Reaching the popular beach is fun, and tourists and locals love it. The facilities are for all ages, and kids will also enjoy a day on Ilha de Tavira. It’s also a big beach with plenty of room for everyone.
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How do you get to Praia do Barril from Pedras d’el Rei?

Praia do Barril Beach is in the Ria Formosa, a natural park stretching between the AncĆ£o Peninsula near Faro and Manta Rota Beach near Cacela Velha. It is near Tavira in a small village called Pedras D’el Rei. It takes about 10 minutes to drive from Tavira to Pedras del Rei.

Pedras d’el Rei is easy to reach by car. There is a large car park near the bridge, which will take you to the beach. You can pay the parking fee after your trip, so you don’t have to worry about the meter running out during your stay.

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Once you cross the bridge, you have two options for reaching Praia do Barril: walking or taking a tourist train. We decided to walk on the way to the beach. The beach walk, or Trilho do Barril, took us about 20 minutes and is 1.3 kilometres (0.80 miles) long. The footpath is right next to the train tracks.

On the way back, we decided to take the tourist train. After a relaxing few hours on the beach, we decided to sit down and enjoy the view. The train ride takes less than 10 minutes, and tickets are very affordable. Thanks to the train and the boardwalks, the beach is also accessible to travellers with disabilities.

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Praia do Barril Comboio

The Comboio Praia do Barril was initially used by the tuna fishing community. Tavira and the nearby villages, such as Pedras D’el Rei, have a rich tuna fishing heritage, and the train was an easy way to transport the fish to the mainland.Ā 

Nowadays, the Praia do Barril Train is used by tourists. Children will love the ride, and adults can enjoy a relaxing journey to the beach! It’s also handy, so you don’t have to carry bags to and from the beach! You can buy your ticket at the small station, so bring some cash.

How do you get to Barril Praia from Tavira?

You can also take a bus from Tavira. The bus line is 105 and is operated by Vamus. Please note that there is no bus service at the weekend, but it’s just a short taxi ride to Pedras D’el Rei. If you like cycling, you can cycle to Pedras D’el Rei. On the way, you can stop in Santa Luzia, and the journey takes around 20 minutes by bike.

View from the Tavira ferry as it crosses the turquoise waters of the Ria Formosa towards Tavira Island, leaving a foamy wake behind. The distant shoreline of Tavira, with white buildings and natural marshlands, stretches under a clear blue sky.

Another option is to take the ferry from Tavira to Ilha de Tavira. The boat will bring you to Tavira Praia, and from there, you can enjoy a long beach walk. The route will take around 40 minutes to complete.

What to do at Praia do Barril, Tavira?

Discover CemitĆ©rio das Ƃncoras

When arriving at Praia do Barril, you’ll notice enormous rusting anchors in the sand dunes. This place is called CemitĆ©rio das Ƃncoras, or the anchor cemetery in English. There are over 100 anchors on display, but how did they get here?

Rusty ship anchors scattered across the sandy dunes of the Anchor Cemetery at Praia do Barril, partially buried and surrounded by wild vegetation. These historic anchors, once used by tuna fishermen, now serve as a striking memorial to the region's maritime heritage under a clear blue sky.
Rusty anchors partially buried in the white sand dunes of Praia do Barril, forming the eerie yet beautiful Anchor Cemetery under a clear blue sky. These historic anchors, once used by tuna fishermen, now stand as a memorial to the regionā€™s maritime past.

The beach was once a hotspot for catching tuna, but the fishing industry declined in the 1960s. The anchors were used to secure the fishing nets, and when they left the fishing ground, the fishermen placed them on the beach. It literally became an anchor graveyard!

Enjoy Barril Beach!

Praia do Barril has a Blue Flag, which means it is very clean and has environmental quality. And the pristine sandy beach is indeed beautiful! When you arrive, you can see sunbeds and loungers with parasols which you can rent for a few hours. There is no natural shade, so if you did not bring a sun umbrella, renting one is definitely a good idea. The beach is supervised by lifeguards in summer.

Golden sandy beach at Praia da Ilha de Tavira, stretching along the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A few beachgoers relax in the distance under a clear blue sky, with lifeguard stations and umbrellas dotting the shoreline.

You can also place your towel in the sand before jumping into the refreshing Atlantic Ocean. Even in summer, this might feel cold to you! It’s usually a bit warmer than the Portuguese west coast, but chilly nonetheless! 

The beach is long and extensive, so it never feels crowded. You can also head to Praia do Homem Nu, an official nude beach. This beach is towards the right-hand side (facing the sea). If you turn left, you’ll reach Praia da Terra Estreita and Praia de Tavira Beach.

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See the Casas dos Pescadores

Behind the anchors, you’ll also spot several houses, the former Casas dos Pescadores. These were once used by the people of the fishing community but have now been converted into cafes and restaurants. There are excellent facilities such as bathrooms and some beach shops.

If you want to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a cocktail on the beach, you can enjoy meals at Cafeteria Barril, Bar Ƃncora, Blue Beach Bar and Restaurant, and Museu do Atum Restaurant. The perfect spots to taste fresh fish and other local dishes! And as the name suggests, you can also visit a small museum at Museu do Atum Restaurant.

Ria Formosa Natural Park

To reach Praia do Barril, you have to cross the Ria Formosa. This stunning natural park has lots of wetlands and saltpans. Birds love it, and you might see flamingos chilling in the shallow water. I highly recommend exploring nature, and you can do so in several spots.

View over Ria Formosa Nature Park from the town of Cacela Velha Algarve

One of the most beautiful places is Cacelha Velha, which is towards the Spanish border. Here, you can walk to the beach with low tide or get a boat ride from a local fisherman! Near Faro, you can hike the Ludo Trail. The route is around 7 kilometres (4.34 miles), but you can extend it if you like.

ā›µļø Here are some great Ria Formosa Tour options:

Can you stay on Tavira Island?

There are no hotels on the island, so you cannot stay the night at Praia do Barril. However, there are some nearby accommodations so you can fully enjoy a beach holiday in the Algarve. I selected some of my favourite options from our travels in the Algarve. You can also find your favourite spot with the handy map below.

šŸ“Perfect for a longer stay: Pedras D’el Rei Resort is the closest to Praia do Barril and has everything you need for a relaxing holiday. There is an outdoor swimming pool and several restaurants. The rooms also have a kitchenette, which is ideal for a longer stay. And the massage services, tennis court and yoga classes are wonderful too! Travelling with kids? During the holidays, the Kids Club is open!

šŸ“ A stay in nature: We also love staying in the mountains and had a great stay at Hotel Rural Quinta do Marco. You are surrounded by nature, and the mountain views are stunning. There is a swimming pool and massage service. You will need a car, but it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing stay.

Scenic wooden deck at Hotel Rural Quinta do Marco, overlooking rolling hills and lush countryside at sunset. A white hammock hangs from a wooden post, accompanied by two modern chairs, creating a peaceful spot to enjoy the panoramic view under a sky filled with soft clouds.
Hotel Rural Quinta do Marco

šŸ“A unique stay in Tavira: If you prefer staying in a larger town, you’ll love Tavira! And you can book a room at a former convention in central Tavira! Pousada Convento de Tavira is perfect for a luxury stay, and you’re within walking distance of all the restaurants. You can enjoy the swimming pool and garden, and the daily breakfast buffet is served in the courtyard or dining room.

FAQ

How do you get to Praia do Barril?

You can reach the beach by crossing a bridge in Pedras D’el Rei over the waters of the Ria Formosa. From there, you can take a tourist train or walk on the side of the tracks. The walk takes around 20 minutes, while the train ride is less than 10 minutes. The train is also perfect so you don’t have to carry your bags.

Can you walk to the beach from Tavira?

The beaches in Tavira are located on an island called Ilha de Tavira. You can take aĀ ferryĀ from Tavira to Tavira Praia. You can also take a bus or drive to Pedras D’el Rei and cross the river by footbridge. From there, you can walk or take a train ride to Praia do Barril.

Is Praia do Barril in Algarve worth it?

Praia do Barril is located on Ilha de Tavira and is super long; therefore, it is never too busy. It also has fantastic facilities and is easy to get to. Barril Beach is much loved by tourists as well as locals.

Conclusion

The Algarve Region in southern Portugal is known for its stunning beaches, and Praia do Barril is one of them. It is one of the calmest beaches on the coast and is perfect for sunbathing. Children love it here, too, and there are lifeguards in the summer season. Barril Beach is also famous thanks to its anchor graveyard.

You can reach Praia do Barril by crossing the Ria Formosa in Pedras D’el Rei. You can also get to other beaches on Tavira Island, and Tavira and Santa Luzia are lovely places to stay during your holiday in the Algarve. Even in the summer season, the beaches are never too crowded. Praia do Barril Beach is many kilometres long and has enough space for everyone.

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Hi! I'm the founder and writer behind Discover Portugal. I studied tourism near Amsterdam and flew across the world as a flight attendant in my 20s. During this time, I picked up my first camera, and after working for the airlines and a decade in the tech industry, I transitioned into a fulfilling career as a travel writer and photographer. I'm very blessed to have travelled to nearly 70 countries since my teens, of which living in 6. In 2021, I made Lisbon my home and launched this blog and photography business. My goal is to inspire you with my Portugal stories and practical travel tips.

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