It’s a very small beach and quite hidden, so it’s one of Algarve’s few remaining "secrets". Word of mouth, however, is giving it a growing number of visitors. Most of them are locals and guests of the only hotel in the vicinity (see below), plus a few tourists who discover it on boat tours. There are days when it can get crowded.
It’s flanked by two cliffs that seem to have been cut and shaped by man, but nature actually did all the work. The woodland above it is often chosen for camping and picnics.
In the summer, the water is usually calm, but swimmers should always be careful, as there is no lifeguard supervision. In fact, this is a wild beach with no facilities, so make sure you bring food and water -- and don’t forget to take all the trash with you when you leave. When the tide rises, and especially outside the summer, much of the sand disappears.
Getting there requires a short hike over the cliffs (pictured above) and discovering the trail that goes down the cliff, hidden on the right side when facing the sea. You should wear sneakers and not flip flops on this trail, and children, the elderly and those with mobility issues will want to avoid it. It takes about a minute to go down to the beach from the top of the cliff, but you need to be careful. It’s not particularly dangerous, but there’s always the risk of slipping on the dirt.
The best time to go is in the morning, as half of it gets shaded by the midafternoon. Avoid staying close to the cliffs, due to the risk of rockfall.
Location: Lagoa
Beach for: Couples
Lifeguards: No
Bathrooms: No
Rentals: No
Bar or Restaurant: No
Accessible: No
Parking: No
How to Get to Praia das Fontainhas
Praia das Fontainhas is about 20 minutes by car from Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra. There is no public transportation to this beach or anywhere within a reasonable walking distance. On road N125, turn to road M1154, and then follow the narrow Estrada de Albandeira. It takes you to Praia de Albandeira, where you can park. From that beach to Praia das Fontainhas, it takes less than ten minutes walking east (to the left when facing the sea), through the woods and over the cliffs. When you see the beach from above, look for the aforementioned trail on the right side.
Beaches by Praia das Fontainhas
In addition to Praia de Albandeira, there are other beautiful beaches which you can hike to. The first one to the west is Praia do Barranquinho and then there’s the stunning Praia da Marinha. By car, you can also be at Praia da Senhora da Rocha and Praia Nova in 15 minutes, two beaches separated by a promontory topped by a charming old chapel.
Hotels by Praia das Fontainhas
Vila Alba Resort
The only hotel by Praia das Fontainhas is quite a good one. It offers a 5-star service, with classically-styled suites and apartments, peaceful gardens surrounding a large swimming pool, a spa, a fitness room, and a restaurant.
SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Vila Alba Resort