Praia da Coelha is one of the quieter beaches in the Algarve: it’s very unlikely that you’ll need to elbow anyone to find your stretch of sand here.
If you do visit, I would recommend hopping on one of the eco-tours that take you on a fascinating ride through the marshlands of the natural park, spotting birds and marine life as you go.
Figuring out why isn’t exactly rocket science – ensconced between golden cliffs and crystal clear waters, it looks every inch the part of the dramatic beachside diva it’s reputed to be.
It might be small, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to natural beauty – so much so that Conde Nast named it as one of the best beaches in Europe.
Standing in complete contrast to those popular beaches, the Praia de Vale Figueira is one of the Algarve’s secret gems. Isolated and windswept, it comes with bagfuls of views and a huge swathe of enticing sand.