After all, you could spend weeks, months and even years exploring all the beaches in the Algarve. From west to east there's a stretch of coastline - over 200 kilometres of it - to suit everybody, from sheltered dunes to rocky coves, from tiny bays to vast stretches of open sands, from shallow lagoons to the crashing surf of the wild Atlantic. And from sunrise to sunset, in brilliant sunshine or welcoming shade, and throughout the seasons, there's a beach just for you.   

Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine a year, the Algarve enjoys the perfect climate to complement its spectacular shoreline. Whether you enjoy peace, quiet and splendid isolation, or love the buzz of noise, people and activity, the Algarve - with over a hundred named beaches to choose from, and a plethora of other coves, bays and inlets - has a beach with your name on it.

Here are some of our favourites (always listed west to east):

FAMILIES

As a rule of thumb, the beaches get wilder and windier the further west you go. Large stretches of flat sand, with shallow water ideal for toddlers and those who aren't strong swimmers, therefore tend to be east of Lagos, and include Meia Praia, Alvor, Praia da Rocha, Praia Grande (Salgados), Galé, Pescadores, Falesia and Ilha de Tavira. Most of the major beaches have lifeguards, and as always, common sense applies - follow the flags, watch the weather, and keep an eye on the kids. See BLUE FLAG BEACHES

FOODIES

A change in the law a few years ago saw the disappearance of many of the summer-only beach shacks, to be replaced by permanent restaurants complete with showers, toilets and lifeguard facilities. On some of the larger beaches in particular, it's hard to distinguish between the lookalike 'pods' - many serving the same, often fairly average, food. There are however some great beach restaurants, many of them long-established. Among the best are Bahia (Meia Praia), Rei das Praias (Caneiros), Carlos (Praia Grande - Salgados), Evaristo (Evaristo), Pedras Amarelas (Galé), Sao Rafael (Sao Rafael), A Sardinha (Arrifes), La Cigale (Olhos d'Agua) and Paradise (Garrao). See RESTAURANT REVIEWS

SURFERS

Head for the wild west. Sagres is the Algarve's 'surf city' with a wide selection of training schools and surf shops supporting the best surfing beaches in the region. There's not much in the way of development once you 'turn the corner' past Cabo de Sao Vincente, but the waves get even better. Top surfing beaches include Carriagem, Monte Clerigo, Arrifana, Carrapateira, Amado, Castelajo, Beliche, Tonel, Mareta, Zavial and Lagos.

WATERSPORTS

Get the ultimate adrenaline rush of kitesurfing, parasailing, waterskiing or jet skiing. Hop on board a banana boat and splash through the waves. Hire a motor boat or pedalo and head off to explore the multitude of picturesque bays, secluded coves, tiny inlets and towering cliffs scattered along the coastline. Snorkel for fun and check out the marine life or even learn to dive - you'll never get a better chance, or enjoy it more, than in the clear blue waters of the Algarve. There are watersports concessions on most of the larger beaches, especially around Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago.

NATURISTS

There are currently two official naturist beaches in the Algarve - Adegas in Odeceixe and Barril on the Ilha de Tavira - but dozens more where nudity is accepted, or where all or part of the beach has become naturist in practice. They include Vale Figueira, Bordeira, Murracao, Barriga, Cordama, Beliche, Barranco, Zavial, Furnas, Cabanas, Pinheiros, Meia Praia, Prainha, Caneiros, Afurada, Praia Grande (Salgados), Deserta, Armona and Cacela, as well as many secluded, unnamed coves and inlets. See NATURISM

NATURE LOVERS

You'll take great pleasure in discovering the rock pools, coastal footpaths, national parks, walking trails, wide open spaces and unique flora and fauna of the region. The protected habitats and unspoiled, peaceful environments by the sea - especially in the national parks of the south west Alentejo, the Ria Formosa and Sapal - are ideal for ramblers and walkers, bird watchers and botanists, painters and photographers. Or just anybody who might have forgotten what clean, fresh air smells and tastes like. Check out the numerous walking and cycle trails along the coastline, or just find a stretch of beach and walk to your heart's content.