Praia Maria Luisa

Located in the municipality of Olhos de Agua, which is four miles east of the town of Albufeira along the southern coast of Portugal in the Algarve region, Praia Maria Luisa is a one-kilometer-long golden sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is tucked between two famous beaches, Praia de Olhos d’Agua to the east and Praia da Falesia to the west.  It is nestled beneath a tall cliff and has a waterline that breaks onto the sand during the rainy season, creating a ravine and dividing the cliff in two.  Praia Maria Luisa has a beautiful background of ochre-colored cliffs, coastal vegetation, and many oceanfront buildings, all of which together provide spectacular views of the vast North Atlantic Ocean.  It is important to note that the beach is completely immersed during high tide, and the rugged cliffs at the beach are subject to erosion, so we recommend being careful while below, as there is a possibility of falling rocks and stones.

Praia Maria Luisa offers many amenities, including seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, showers, sun loungers, parasols, beach equipment rental facilities, massage facilities, a boardwalk, a beachfront restaurant, and a wooden staircase.

Praia Maria Luisa Algarve is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, paddleboarding, boating, and hiking.  If you are planning to go into the water, the waves are usually calm.  It is an ideal spot for windsurfing due to its frequently windy weather.   The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small boats.  Visitors can also rent beach equipment or book kayak and boat tours. Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trail, popularly known as Trilho dos Olhos d’Água, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  The beach attracts a large influx of visitors, especially during the summer season.  Dogs are not allowed here, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Praia Maria Luisa does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Praia Maria Luisa is easy - the beach has a few parking spots located at Rua da Praia Maria Luisa, 8200-609 Albufeira, Portugal, which is easily accessible via State Road M526.  After parking, visitors have to hike down a rugged path for around 10 minutes via a long wooden staircase that descends from the cliff-top car park to access the beach.  

It is worth noting that there are several designated parking spots for people with disabilities.

Praia Maria Luisa is an extremely popular destination for locals seeking a getaway or a quiet stroll while watching the sunset over the Atlantic coast.

There are many attractions near Praia Maria Luisa.  The 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 Maria Luisa.  Bar da Julia is present right on the beach and serves amazing seafood.  Mare at Pine Cliffs is an upscale restaurant that has outdoor seating areas and serves salads, wraps, burgers, pasta, seafood, clams, shrimp, squid, lobsters, pork, meat, and poultry dishes.  Pickwicks Tavern offers an outdoor seating area and serves amazing salads, pizzas, calzones, pasta, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Restaurante La Cigale serves delicious seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Rustico serves soups, salads, pasta, pizzas, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a nearby hotel in Praia Maria Luisa, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Domes Lake Algarve Autograph Collection is 20 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including three outdoor pools, a kid’s pool, a spa with a heated indoor pool, an artificial lake, and several restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Tui Blue Falesia, which offers many amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, a spa, a sauna, a hot tub, tennis courts, and a restaurant.   Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Adriana Beach Club Hotel Resort, which has many amenities, including four pools, a spa, a sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, a sports field, a mini-golf course, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Dom Jose Beach Hotel, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, mini-golf, and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Club Med da Balaia offers several amenities, including three outdoor pools, a fitness center, a spa, a game’s room, bars, and two restaurants.