Praia dos Pescadores
Albufeira, Portugal, 8200-001
Conveniently located beside Albufeira’s whitewashed Old Town, Praia dos Pescadores is an easily accessible beach with a wealth of facilities. Whether you want to enjoy the thrills of Jet Ski rides and banana boats, or simply soak up the sun on golden sands surrounded by picturesque cliffs, you’ll find everything you need at Albufeira’s premier beach.
The basics
Praia dos Pescadores is a staple on Albufeira sightseeing tours, which transport you by tuk-tuk or electric bike around the Old Town and surrounding beaches. These excursions often combine the beach with lesser-known stretches of sand such as Praia dos Arrifes, hailed as one of the best beaches in the Algarve, and the Pau da Bandeira Viewpoint. Many boat trips departing from Albufeira Marina will pass the beach, as they set off in search of hidden caves and bottlenose dolphins.
Things to know before you go
While you can buy food and drinks from beachfront restaurants, prices can be high, so you may want to bring your own refreshments.
The waves on Praia dos Pescadores can be strong as the beach is not sheltered, so be mindful when swimming. Lifeguards are usually on duty.
Praia dos Pescadores is fully wheelchair accessible: there’s a wooden boardwalk and an elevator that transports you to and from street level.
How to get there
From Rua 5 de Outubro in the center of Albufeira Old Town, you can walk through a tunnel carved into one of the cliffs to reach Praia dos Pescadores. From the western side, you can descend to the beach via stone stairs or take the elevator at the end of Rua Latino Coelho, which descends to Praia do Peneco on the same stretch of sand.
When to get there
As Albufeira’s main beach, Praia dos Pescadores gets extremely crowded from June through September during the European school holidays; you’ll need to come early to secure a sunbed or a spot if visiting then. For warm weather and much fewer people, plan a trip during the shoulder season months of May and October. In the summer, the beach has an inflatable water pack that’s great for kids.
How to beat the crowds in the Algarve
If you’re looking for the kind of calm that Praia dos Pescadores can’t offer, head further afield to Praia São Rafael, a small and serene bay partially obscured by cliffs. The calm waters mean it’s a popular place for stand-up paddleboarding, while a beachfront restaurant is the perfect spot to sample fresh seafood dishes such as cataplana (Portuguese fish stew).
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