Praia Do Castelo(Castelo Beach)

Located in the village resort of Sesmarias, in the city of Albufeira, Praia do Castelo is a 200-meter-long beige sand beach with many rocky formations.  This beach is positioned near the famous beaches, including Praia da Balbina, Praia da Coelha, and Praia das Salamitras, along the Iberian Peninsula.  It has a beautiful background of 30-meter-high rocky cliffs, several small hidden coves, coastal vegetation, and a beach club, all of which together provide Instagram-worthy views of the vast North Atlantic Ocean.  It is important to note that the rugged cliffs at the Castelo Beach Algarve are subject to erosion, so we recommend being careful while below, as there is a possibility of falling rocks and stones.  The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag certification due to its cleanliness and water quality standards.

Praia do Castelo has many amenities including seasonal lifeguards, a beachfront restaurant, a beach equipment rental facility, and restrooms.

Praia do Castelo offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, cliff walking, and hiking.  If you are planning to go into the water, the beach has a safe swimming area.   The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small boats.  Visitors can also book kayak tours from the nearby kiosk.  Snorkelers and divers may spot an array of marine life, making it a fascinating spot for nature enthusiasts.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  It is perfect for visitors looking for a quiet experience, but it is popular among locals who frequently visit this beach, especially during the weekend.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Praia do Castelo does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Praia do Castelo is easy - the beach has a free parking lot located at R. da Torre Velha 2, 8200-385 Albufeira, near Villa Estrela Cadente Praia do Castelo, which is easily accessible via State Road M526.  After parking, visitors have to hike down a rugged path to access the beach via a wooden staircase.

The name Praia do Castelo, which means "Castle Beach," derives from the large rock in the ocean on the eastern edge of the beach that resembles the battlements of a castle; however, there is no actual castle here.  During the 16th century, there was a watchtower on this beach that guarded the Albufeira coast against pirate attacks.  Also, there are some remnants of this tower near the beach.

There are many attractions near Praia do Castelo.  Archaeological Museum of Albufeira has a gallery that displays interesting exhibits on the history and culture of the Algarve region through historic artifacts, photographs, pottery, coins, tools, and related memorabilia.  In addition, it showcases a wide collection of artifacts from the Roman, Moorish, and Medieval eras.  Albufeira Castle was built during the Moorish period, when the region was under Islamic rule.  It served as a defensive fortress, positioned on a hill overlooking the town and coastline, that offered protection from potential invaders.  Presently, Albufeira Castle often serves as a venue for cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions in the Old Town area.  Krazy World features a mini-zoo, a water park with slides and splash pools, and an 18-hole crazy golf course that offers fun and challenging obstacles, providing entertainment for families and groups.  In addition, visitors can enjoy pony rides, quad biking, and a miniature train ride.  Slide & Splash is a family-friendly seasonal water park with slides, splash pools, and rides.  In addition, visitors can enjoy live falconry, reptile, and tropical bird shows.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction,  Azimut Adventure Park is a family-friendly recreational area that offers many fun activities, including paintball, gel blasters, and camping.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Praia do Castelo. Castelo Beach Club is positioned right on the beach and serves amazing eggs, pancakes, salads, soups, seafood, meat, poultry dishes, smoothies, juices, and desserts.  Indian Ocean Restaurant serves amazing curries, flatbreads, biryani, seafood, meat, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.  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.  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 do Castelo, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Sao Rafael Atlantico is five minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including three outdoor pools, a tennis court, a fitness center, a spa with a heated indoor pool, and several restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Nau Salgados Palm Village, which offers many amenities, including outdoor pools, a fitness center, gardens, a seasonal kid’s club, and a restaurant.   Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Regency Salgados Hotel & Spa, which has many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a kid’s pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star 3HB Golden Beach, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a sundeck, a fitness room, and an arcade.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Hotel Baltum offers several amenities, including a hot tub and an Italian restaurant.