Praia da Marinha: the Most Stunning Seaside of Algarve, Portugal (Full Information)

Having visited the Algarve twice, I now need to discuss essentially the most lovely seashore there. Not simply in Portugal however this seashore usually options in Europe’s most lovely seashores lists.

I’m speaking about Praia da Marinha, a.okay.a. the Marinha Seaside with golden sand and gorgeous rock formations.

Introducing Praia da Marinha

All of us have heard of the Algarve, the coastal area in Portugal with insanely lovely rock formations. However you do know what’s essentially the most lovely seashore within the Algarve? It’s Praia da Marinha, additionally generally referred to as the Navy Seaside.

I visited the Algarve for the primary time in 2022 however revisited it in 2023 and based mostly my journey round Marinha Seaside. I did a lot of analysis so that you simply don’t have to. I spent plenty of time right here so you can find my full information to Marinha Seaside helpful.

Praia da Marinha is taken into account one of many 10 most lovely seashores in Europe by the Michelin Information and likewise as one of many 100 most lovely seashores on this planet. It additionally obtained the Golden Seaside Award from the Ministry of Surroundings in Portugal attributable to its excellent pure qualities.

Many guides name Marinha Seaside a “small seashore” however let me offer you a perspective. It’s a lot greater than Italy’s small seashores with pebbles that get overly crowded in summer season. It’s also greater than many seashores of the Algarve area however smaller than Dona Ana seashore of Lagos and smaller than Praia do Nazare.

The place is Praia da Marinha?

Praia da Marinha is close to Carvoeiro, one of many much less visited locations within the Algarve. This seashore shouldn’t be in Carvoeiro however somewhat additional away, near Benagil and Caramujeira.

So if you wish to make the Marinha seashore a star of your seashore vacation, then you must keep within the close by Carvoeiro, which is simply 7 kilometers away. In truth, in my Algarve itinerary publish, I counsel selecting Carvoeiro as your base after which Lagos.

Another choice could be to remain at Armação de Pêra, which is 9 kilometers away. You may as well keep at Benagil village, which is lower than 4 kilometers away however I discovered it somewhat boring. Additionally, town of Lagoa is 7 kilometers away however there’s no seashore.

Easy methods to Attain Praia da Marinha

There are lots of methods you’ll be able to attain Marinha Seaside. I’ve visited on a kayak, on a taxi, by mountain climbing, and on a Stand-up Paddleboard. You may as well arrive right here by bus and I’ll discuss all these factors intimately beneath.

Reaching Praia da Marinha by Automotive

You possibly can attain Praia da Marinha from Carvoeiro by automobile by heading east on Estr. do Farol towards R. do Povo do Burro after which observe the Estr. da Marinha.

With a purpose to attain Praia da Marinha by automobile from Armação de Pêra, you’ll be able to EM530-1 to Porches, and switch left onto Estr. do Poço Santo to EM1154, then left on to EM1154 to Estr. da Marinha. You may as well do that route by N125 however that has a toll payment, and it was earlier recognized to be essentially the most harmful street in Europe.

In case you are touring in Portugal with one other pal, household, or simply your accomplice, it makes extra sense to simply hire a automobile and discover by driving. Automotive rental costs in Portugal are decrease than the close by nations like France and Italy.

In the event you do find yourself renting a automobile, then not simply the Marinha seashore, however you can too discover the gorgeous seashores of Lagos just like the legendary Praia do Camilo.

Reaching Marinha Seaside on Taxi / Uber

Uber is shockingly inexpensive in Portugal and we frequently use this app-based taxi service to maneuver from Carvoeiro to Praia da Marinha. We often paid EUR 8 or 9 for 2 individuals and splitting it for 2 individuals made it tremendous inexpensive. So if you’re touring in a bunch, then getting on Uber goes to be the most suitable choice for you.

Tip: Regular taxis are far more costly than app-based providers. So obtain Uber and Bolt and use taxis to make your life less complicated.

Reaching Praia da Marinha by Bus

There’s a bus cease proper exterior Praia da Marinha, the place bus 77 runs twice each day to Benagil and Lagoa. That is the Vamus bus service and you should buy your ticket on the bus as you get in. This makes arriving at Marinha Seaside by public transport straightforward.

I traveled rather a lot by Vamus bus service in 2022 after I was in Lagos and I often paid EUR 1 or 1.50 for a journey, generally even much less. I didn’t use the bus in 2023 as a result of I had a pal to separate the taxi fare with.

Reaching Praia da Marinha by Prepare

From the Faro practice station, get on practice R 5906 that’s moving into Lagos course, and get off at Estombar Lagoa. You should purchase the tickets on the practice itself, no want to purchase from earlier than. Observe that “Lagos” and “Lagoa” are usually not the identical.

From Lagoa, take a bus from Estômbar (Estação CP) cease to Barros Brancos, which can take round quarter-hour. From there, you will get on bus 77 that involves Marinha Seaside.

So if you wish to use public transport to reach at Marinha Seaside, a bus might be simpler since you simply have to alter it as soon as.

Reaching Marinha Seaside by Climbing the Seven Hanging Valleys path

Probably the greatest methods of reaching Praia da Marinha is by mountain climbing the Seven Hanging Valleys path that begins in Carvoeiro and ends at Marinha Seaside. The center level is Benagil.

The Seven Hanging Valleys mountain climbing path is beginner-friendly. Simply make sure that to put on non-slippery mountain climbing sneakers and keep on the mountain climbing path. There are plenty of holes within the rocks on this hike, that are referred to as “algares” that are fenced off for security.

This hike goes on prime of the Benagil Cave seashore too. In truth, the trail from Benagil Village to Praia da Marinha is the prettiest a part of this hike.

It’ll take you 1 hour – 1.5 hours (or extra) to hike from Benagil Village to Praia da Marinha. For the entire route ranging from Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro to Marinha Seaside, it’s going to take you double.

We did this hike and realized that one of the best ways to do it was to separate it. Additionally, there’s a lovely heart-shaped gap within the rocks that comes on this mountain climbing path. I’ll discuss extra about that later.

Reaching Marinha Seaside on a Kayak or SUP

One of the crucial enjoyable issues that you are able to do within the Algarve is to get on a kayak or a paddleboard to discover the caves. I did a kayak tour to go to the Benagil Caves in 2022 after which the following 12 months I visited the Benagil Cave and Marinha seashore on an SUP in 2023.

I’ve SUPed on lakes earlier than however SUPing on the Atlantic ocean waves was actually one thing else. Standing on the paddle board wasn’t really easy so I used to be principally sitting throughout this SUP journey. I ought to name it a “sit-down paddleboard” journey as an alternative of a “stand-up paddleboard”.

Irrespective of which tour you choose, Kayaking or SUPing virtually all of those excursions for Benagil Cave finish on Marinha Seaside. However solely a few of them embody getting off at Marinha Seaside to see it as a result of most of them simply flip from the arched rock, take the kayaks or SUPs underneath the arch, and head again to Benagil.

So if you wish to embody Marinha Seaside on the identical tour at Benagil Cave, please learn the tour description very rigorously earlier than you e-book.

There are some boat journeys that may take you to Marinha Seaside and Benagil Cave however learn the outline very rigorously as a result of it isn’t allowed to get off huge boats to go to stroll on Benagil Seaside.

Praia da Marinha Parking Data

There’s a free parking place proper exterior Marinha Seaside subsequent to the bus stand. Click on right here for the Google Map coordinates for the parking spot at Praia da Marinha.

This car parking zone is good however isn’t the most important. I’d say that one of the best time to reach right here is as early as 9 a.m. in the course of the peak journey months of July and August.

The Lengthy Staircase on the Entry Level

Whenever you arrive at Praia da Marinha by automobile or bus, you must climb down a protracted staircase to reach on the seashore. It’s price each little bit of effort and the views from the steps are pretty.

Firstly of the staircase prime of the seashore, there’s additionally a small automobile shelter.

Swimming at Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is legendary not only for its gorgeous backdrop of rocks but in addition its water high quality. Not simply from the seashore however you’ll discover it whenever you arrive from the car parking zone as you will note the clear blue water from up above, which seems to be extra blue on a sunny day.

Sure, Portugal is a heat vacation spot however whenever you go within the water for a swim, you’ll discover that it is extremely chilly, even in the summertime months. It’s since you are swimming within the Atlantic Ocean!

I did say that one of the best time to reach at Praia da Marinha is at 9 a.m. in excessive season to discover a respectable parking spot. However one of the best time for a swim is at the very least 11 am and even higher after 12 when the physique will get heated up by the solar.

The water remains to be going to be very chilly however it’s simpler to swim in the course of the mid-day or afternoon at Praia da Marinha. Go take a dip within the calm waters, the cool temperature is sweet for the nerves.

Nonetheless, Praia da Marinha is definitely the most effective seashores within the Algarve for swimming due to its clear water and smooth sand.

The occasions I visited, I didn’t see any seaweed on the water like a few of the different close by seashores. The one different seashore that I believe is nearly as good for swimming as Praia da Marinha is the Camilo seashore in Lagos.

The Rocks at Praia da Marinha

Probably the most well-known characteristic of the seashores of the Algarve is the rocks. These rock formations have taken years of abrasion from the wind and sea to look the best way they give the impression of being now.

These rocks kind a singular backdrop to this golden sand seashore and you’ll see hues of brown, orange, and golden.

There’s a huge rock that divides the Marinha seashore into two and is in direction of the correct facet as you enter the seashore. When the tide is excessive, you’ll be able to swim across the rock however watch out and keep sufficient distance in order that the waves don’t push you onto the rock.

Throughout low tide, you’ll be able to simply stroll across the rock and it seems to be like one huge seashore. The smaller cove that’s created throughout excessive tide joins the primary seashore when the tide is low.

The rocks additionally create an arch that’s on the finish of Marinha Seaside on the correct facet. In the event you get on a kayak or a SUP, you’ll be able to swim underneath the arch.

Because of the rock formations on Praia da Marinha, there are many shaded areas to take a seat.

Restaurant & Bar at Praia da Marinha

There’s a family-run snack bar that’s proper on the seashore that additionally has WC / bathrooms. That is the one and solely place on Marinha Seaside for purchasing drinks or meals and is surprisingly inexpensive.

The Praia da Marinha restaurant is true on the finish of the lengthy staircase on the entry level of the seashore, so that you don’t have to make an effort to search out it.

We ate at this restaurant twice and I beloved my garlic prawns with bread, they had been lower than EUR 15 from what I keep in mind. The selfmade sangrias had been fairly good too and had been for simply EUR 3 per glass.

My pal often had a vegan meal of vegetable sandwich and she or he appeared to get pleasure from it. In addition they have soup of the day and it’s price checking that possibility too.

There are a couple of extra meals vehicles and roadside locations close to the parking space. I didn’t strive them as a result of I discovered the restaurant and bar on the seashore to be comfy and inexpensive. Due to this restaurant and bar, it was straightforward for us to spend a complete day at Praia da Marinha.

Climbing round Praia da Marinha

As talked about earlier within the how-to-reach part, a superb means of exploring the realm round Marinha Seaside is by mountain climbing. The Seven Valleys Climbing Path begins at Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro and ends at Praia da Marinha.

In the event you don’t have time to do the complete path, simply go on the mountain climbing path that begins close to the parking space of Praia da Marinha and see the good views from the encircling cliffs. Hike within the course of Benagil (go proper from the parking space), stand on prime of the cliffs and you’ll witness the most well-liked picture spot of Marinha Seaside from the highest.

Sure, the Seven Valleys Climbing path ends right here however when you hike from Marinha Seaside to the opposite course as an alternative of this mountain climbing path, you will note the gorgeous Praia da Malhada do Baraço from the highest. For this, you must go left from the parking space and the Marinha Seaside entry spot.

One of the best time for this pleasant stroll is the dawn or sundown time as a result of the surroundings turns golden. In the event you like mountain climbing, I even have a publish about Ponta da Piedade – one other superb mountain climbing space within the Algarve.

Easy methods to Discover the Coronary heart within the Rocks over Praia da Marinha

For the final 2-3 years, there was a photograph of a coronary heart within the rocks that has been going viral on Instagram. This spot is true on prime of Marinha Seaside on the Seven Hanging Valleys mountain climbing path.

In actuality, that is simply an phantasm of a coronary heart that’s made when 3 rocks overlap as you stand at a selected spot.

So, if you wish to discover this coronary heart within the rock, you must stroll in direction of the right-hand facet of the Praia da Marinha parking and go on the mountain climbing path. Stroll for five – 10 minutes and you’ll attain Elephant Rock, or “Rocha do Elefante”, additionally referred to as “m rock” as a result of it’s formed like that alphabet.

When you’ll be able to see the elephant rock, you must get off the mountain climbing path and stand on the sting to see the guts that’s made by overlapping cliffs. Most individuals don’t even discover it and simply transfer previous it.

The Elephant rock itself is gorgeous and when you stand on the cliffs that face it, you get rewarded with unimaginable views. Stroll somewhat right here and search for a spot the place the close by cliffs can full a coronary heart with the elephant rock. In case you are fortunate, you’ll have that spot to your self like we did.

I used to be right here first at excessive tide after which I revisited to see the sundown at low tide, each the occasions the guts seemed as pretty as ever.

Motels close to Praia da Marinha

I’ll point out a couple of choices for locations to remain in Carvoeiro, Marinha, and Benagil. However first Carvoeiro, as a result of that’s the place we stayed.

Rocha Brava Village Resort

This can be a huge resort in Carvoeiro close to Vale de Centeanes seashore with many sorts of lodging choices. There are villas, household homes, and even flats. The placement is spot on as a result of the Seven Hanging Valleys mountain climbing path begins proper right here. And in addition the attractive Vale de Centeanes seashore is a brief stroll away. This seashore is sort of a smaller model of Marinha Seaside.

We paid round EUR 100 per evening for our residence which had a kitchen, front room, balcony, dressing space, tub, and bed room. The landscaping at Rocha Brava Village Resort is just one of the best, we had bougainvilleas, the fowl of paradise, and even a waterfall close to our room.

In the event you do find yourself staying in Rocha Brava village, you’ll be able to simply do the Seven Hanging Valleys hike, early morning kayaking, or SUP to Benagil Cave after which hike from there to Marinha.

Furthermore, I discovered Carvoeiro to be a superb base and I beloved the Algar Seco cave stroll and Carvoeiro boardwalk typically.

Casa Marinha Seaside

That is the one place that’s tremendous near Marinha Seaside and it sells out upfront for that reason. It’s simply 500 meters away from the seashore.

The bedrooms at Casa Marinha are air-conditioned. The residence comes with a kitchen, out of doors pool, washer, backyard, and a terrace. This place has a shocking view,

The associated fee per evening is often EUR 175 and is ideal for a household of 4 they usually additionally present a child mattress on request.

FAQs about Visiting Marinha Seaside

Closing Ideas about visiting Marinha Seaside

Marinha Seaside is an ideal spot for spending an ideal seashore day for each type of traveler – the entire household or {couples} or journey vacationers on kayaks or SUPs. It’s an award-winning seashore and deserves all its hype.

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