Praia Verde
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Praia Verde

Praia Verde

Eastern Algarve beach settlement backed by umbrella pines, salt-pan wetlands, and a long quiet shore.

Praia Verde is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Located in the eastern Algarve, about one kilometre from Monte Gordo and ten kilometres from Vila Real on the Spanish border, the beach sits inside an environmentally protected area within a forest of umbrella pines.

The sea water is calm and warm in summer, reaching around 22 degrees. The beach is long, wide, and far less crowded than the central Algarve resorts. Behind the pines, the Reserva Natural do Sapal protects the salt pans and wetlands where flamingos feed year-round. The nearby town of Castro Marim, about 15 minutes away, has a well-preserved medieval castle that is worth a half-day visit.

Guide

Beaches

The beach at Praia Verde is the reason to come here. It is long, wide, and backed by umbrella pines rather than the hotels and apartment blocks that dominate the central Algarve. The eastern Algarve coast generally has calmer, warmer water than the west — the currents from the Mediterranean side of the Guadiana estuary moderate the Atlantic swell, making it safer for families and less experienced swimmers.

Guide

Things to Do

Praia Verde is a place to slow down rather than fill an itinerary. The beach and the pine forest are the main attractions. The natural reserve surrounding the area offers birdwatching, and the nearby town of Castro Marim has a medieval castle worth a half-day excursion.