Praia da Falésia is widely considered one of the finest beaches in Portugal, and the description is easy to understand from the cliff top: six kilometres of barely interrupted sand backed by ochre and red sandstone cliffs between 20 and 30 metres high, their faces eroded into pillars and ridges by Atlantic winds. The cliffs glow amber at sunset in a way that makes even jaded beach-goers reach for their cameras.
The beach stretches east from Olhos de Água toward Vilamoura, significantly further from Albufeira's centre than the town beaches. It is served by stairs down through the cliffs at several points and is markedly less crowded than Praia dos Pescadores or Praia da Oura — the extra effort to get here filters out the casual visitor. The sand is fine, the sea is clean, and the surf is gentle enough for swimming while carrying enough movement to make it interesting. A 4x4 track runs along the cliff top connecting the access points, and there is a small cafe-bar at the eastern end near Olhos de Água.