Portugal’s Praia da Falésia takes the coveted top spot on Tripadvisor’s ‘Best Beaches’ list
In a world where sustainability and natural beauty increasingly dominate travellers’ choices, Portugal’s Praia da Falésia emerges as the crown jewel, topping Tripadvisor’s prestigious Best of the Best Beaches list for 2024.
This impressive stretch of white sand and colourful cliffs was noted as “best for scenic walks and sunbathing” and is up from number six in 2023.
Praia da Falésia, located in the heart of the Algarve region, captured the coveted number one spot, enchanting visitors with its picturesque blend of white sands and dramatic, orange-coloured cliffs kissed by the Atlantic Ocean.
What sets Praia da Falésia apart is its pristine shoreline and commitment to sustainability. The nature park adjoining the beach protects its spotless condition, offering a sanctuary for local flora and fauna.
What to know to plan your beach day
One of the most extensive beaches in the Algarve is the list-topping Praia da Falésia, which stretches almost six kilometres.
It extends to Albufeira’s Olhos d’Água neighbourhood in the west and shares borders with the resort town of Vilamoura to the east. Though it’s essentially the same beach, the narrower western end is known by a different name, Praia do Barranco das Belharucas.
While Praia da Falésia is located in the more touristy part of the Algarve, the beach remains largely untouched, with little development directly on its sandy shores and fragile clay cliffs.
Further from the beach, there are several resorts, hotels and beach clubs, including Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort, The Residences at Victoria and Domes Lake Algarve Autograph Collection.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly options, holiday apartments, vacation rentals, and guesthouses are available in the nearby towns of Albufeira and Vilamoura, where you’ll also find plenty of bars and restaurants.
How to get to Praia da Falésia
There are several ways to reach the Praia da Falésia area. Faro Airport (FAO) is the nearest airport, with a driving distance of approximately 30-40 minutes to the beach.
From Faro Airport, visitors can rent a car or use buses or taxis to reach their accommodation.
You can also travel to popular tourist spot Albufeira by train. The train station is about 5.5 kilometres from the old town centre.
To reach Praia da Falésia beach by bus, there is an infrequent service operated by the Vamus company that departs from Albufeira’s bus station to Praia da Rocha Baixinha.
If you have rented a car in Portugal, you can drive to the beach, where you’ll find parking.
