Praia do Loulé Velho is also known as Praia do Trafal on its eastern end and is quite a calm beach, despite its location close to crowded Quarteira. It’s usually the top choice for the people of Loulé, while tourists tend to prefer the beaches of the resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago nearby. Due to its long stretch of sand, it offers space for everyone. On the western end is a small lagoon, the Lagoa da Foz da Ribeira do Almargem.
Backed by dunes and a pine forest at the top of low cliffs, it’s an attractive and pleasant beach. It’s where local families go for a day in the sun or a picnic in the shade of the pines. You’ll probably see campervans, but camping here is actually prohibited. The eastern end, close to Vale do Lobo, is usually nearly deserted, is backed by a golf course and attracts naturists.
There’s a popular restaurant between the pines and the boardwalk that leads to the beach and provides access to the disabled. At the end of the boardwalk you’ll find loungers and wicker parasols for rent. Sometimes there is also equipment for standup paddleboarding, as well as massage services.
In the bathing season, it’s supervised by lifeguards. The water is most often calm enough for swimming, but you should always pay attention to the warning flags -- red means you shouldn’t go in the water. When conditions are right, it’s a diving site, as there are traces of an ancient Carthaginian settlement under the water. Sometimes when the sea washes away too much sand on the western end, Roman fish-salting tanks are also revealed.
This is a Blue Flag beach, so you can expect cleanliness and safety, on the sand and in the water.
Location: Loulé
Beach for: Families, Naturists
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Yes
How to Get to Praia do Loulé Velho
No buses stop within walking distance of Praia do Loulé Velho. It’s 20 minutes by car from the center of Loulé and just 10 minutes from Quarteira. There’s plenty of parking right by the beach and close to the restaurant. You can also walk from the beach of Vale do Lobo.
Beaches by Praia do Loulé Velho
The closest beach to Praia do Loulé Velho is that of the luxury resort town of Vale do Lobo, to the east. It’s part of the same long stretch of sand, so you can go for a pleasant walk by the sea and get there in a few minutes. To the west is the very popular (and usually crowded) beach of Quarteira, which is a good choice if you want a variety of more reasonably-priced places to eat.
Hotels by Praia do Loulé Velho
Dona Filipa Hotel
Located by the beach of Vale do Lobo and therefore close to Praia do Loulé Velho, this hotel has spacious rooms with views of the ocean or of the surrounding green landscape. They have balconies and are decorated in a classic style. There are two restaurants (serving international and Mediterranean cuisines), two outdoor pools, three tennis courts and a spa.
SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Dona Filipa Hotel
Vale do Lobo Resort
Found up the road from the beach of Vale do Lobo, this resort offers villas and apartments. It’s ideal for families, as the largest villa has a total of five bedrooms! Some of the apartments and most of the villas have private pools and there’s also a main pool available to all guests in the summer. Other facilities include a gym, a spa, tennis courts and several restaurants.
SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Vale do Lobo Resort