Praia do Vale Covo, Sand beach in Lagoa e Carvoeiro, Portugal.
Praia do Vale Covo is a sand beach with orange-toned sand nestled in a secluded cove and bordered by tall limestone cliffs on both sides. The water reaches the shore across a sandy bottom, creating a sheltered pocket of beach enclosed by steep rock walls.
The limestone cliffs framing this cove were shaped over millions of years by geological processes along the Atlantic coast. Sand and sediment deposits accumulated here gradually to form the beach as it exists today.
Local fishermen launch their boats from this beach to catch sardines and sea bream, maintaining traditional fishing methods passed down through generations in the Algarve. These practices remain visible in the daily rhythms of the cove.
A steep staircase descends from the clifftop near Hotel Tivoli Almansor to reach this beach, with parking available at the top of the stairs. Wear sturdy shoes for the stairs and plan your visit around low tide to access areas you cannot see at high tide.
At low tide, small caves and rocky pools appear along the sand, revealing diverse marine creatures including colorful starfish and sea anemones living in these sheltered spots. These hidden zones transform the beach into a natural aquarium that changes with each tidal cycle.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
