Praia Da Baleeira

Located near Marina de Albufeira in the municipality of Albufeira, in the southern Algarve region, Praia da Baleeira - also known as Baleeira Beach - is a small shell-shaped beige sand beach with many rocky portions.  It is positioned on the Iberian Peninsula in a sheltered cove and is adjacent to the famous Praia do Risco.  There is a channel leading to Albufeira Marina on the northern end of the beach, and to the south there is a path to the Baleeira reservoir, where little fishing boats can be lowered or raised into the water.  Praia da Baleeira is considered a popular fisherman's beach along the Albufeira coastline.  The beach has a beautiful background of rocky cliffs and coastal vegetation, which together provide Instagram-worthy views of Farol da Albufeira and the vast North Atlantic Ocean. 

Praia da Baleeira does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except a marina, so plan your trip accordingly.

Praia da Baleeira offers several fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, fishing, and hiking.  If you are planning to go into the water, swimming is permitted, but we advise caution as more than half of the sand is submerged during high tide.  The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small fishing boats.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby Ponta da Baleeira hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.   It is perfect for visitors looking for a serene experience, as this beach sees fewer visitors than other nearby beaches.  Dogs are allowed here if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Praia da Baleeira does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Praia da Baleeira is easy - the beach has a few parking spots located at Caminho Balieira-Sao Rafael 13, 8200 Albufeira, which is easily accessible via State Road M526 that runs from Albufeira to Faro.  After parking, visitors have to hike down a rugged path to access the beach.

Praia da Baleeira has a great historical significance, as its name translates to "Whale Beach." In the past, this area was a popular whaling beach, illustrating the extensive maritime history of the area. 

There are many attractions near Praia da Baleeira.  Marina de Albufeira is a family-friendly recreational area that offers many amenities, including restaurants, bars, swimming pools, shops, a promenade, and water sports activities.  Visitors can enjoy boat trips and stroll along the promenade.  Aqualand Algarve is a family-friendly water park that features many thrilling water slides, wave pools, a lazy river, and splash pools.  It offers many other amenities, including restaurants, snack bars, picnic areas, sun loungers, parasol rental facilities, and locker rental services.  Zoomarine Algarve is a popular marine theme park that offers interesting dolphin shows, sea lion presentations, tropical bird performances, and educational exhibitions focused on protecting marine life and promoting environmental awareness.  In addition, visitors can also enjoy a mini-roller coaster, carousel, giant wheel, water slides, swimming pools, and other recreational facilities.  Albufeira Old Town is located in the central part of the city and is well-known for its narrow cobblestone streets, buildings adorned with colorful trim, churches, museums, and traditional Portuguese architecture.  In addition, it offers a unique blend of history, culture, dining, and entertainment, making it a must-visit destination for tourists exploring the Algarve region of Portugal.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, The Castle of Paderne is a well-preserved 12th-century Moorish fortress that features crenelated walls, towers, and a central courtyard.  It offers a unique glimpse into medieval history and provides panoramic views of the town of Albufeira and the Quarteira River.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a six-minute drive of Praia da Baleeira.  Restaurante Evaristo is an upscale restaurant that has outdoor seating areas and serves salads, wraps, burgers, pasta, seafood, clams, shrimp, squids, lobsters, pork, meat, and poultry dishes.  Restaurante Solgamba serves amazing salads, bruschetta, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, meat, pork, and poultry dishes.  La Barca Restaurant serves amazing salads, pizzas, calzones, pasta, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Restaurante 54 serves delicious seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, El Barrio Tapas Restaurant serves salads, burgers, paellas, pizzas, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Praia da Baleeira, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star NAU Sao Rafael Suites is four minutes away by car and offers many amenities including three outdoor pools, a kid’s pool, a tennis court, a spa with a heated indoor pool, massage service, a hammam, a sauna, and two upscale restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Hotel Vila Gale Collection Praia, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, a yoga studio, a hammam, a hot tub, tennis courts, and a restaurant.   Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Hotel Baia Grande, which has many amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, a game room with a billiards table, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Villas Barrocal, which offers a few amenities including an outdoor pool, a game room, and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Hapimag Resort Albufeira offers several amenities including an outdoor pool, a spa, and a restaurant.