Praia da Marinha

Europe's most secluded beaches offer access to natural coastal environments that remain undeveloped due to their distance from major tourist centers. These locations span from the volcanic black sands of Iceland's southern shores to the pink-tinted beaches of southwestern Crete, formed from crushed seashells. Many require hiking through nature reserves or boat transfers to reach. Protected coastlines feature distinct geological characteristics: limestone cliffs eroded into natural arches along Portugal's Algarve, basalt columns rising from Norwegian fjords, and serpentine rock formations containing high magnesium content in Cornwall. The beaches exist within varied ecosystems, from Mediterranean scrubland surrounding Sicilian coves to Arctic conditions where granite mountains shelter narrow sand stretches in the Lofoten archipelago. These sites attract visitors seeking alternatives to developed resort areas. Access methods range from tidal passages through stone arches in Galicia, where water levels determine entry times, to unpaved tracks crossing the Desert of Agriates in Corsica. Several beaches change appearance based on natural forces: the Croatian peninsula of Zlatni Rat shifts its contours according to wind and wave patterns, while shallow lagoons in Greece allow wading between mainland and offshore islands. The locations provide opportunities for activities including snorkeling among underwater rock formations, observing seabird colonies nesting in coastal cliffs, and exploring cave systems revealed during low tide periods.

Inland Algarve holds nature reserves, medieval castles, and Roman ruins that together form a wide picture of Portuguese history and nature. Monchique has thermal springs, Silves shows a castle built of red sandstone, and Faro contains a chapel lined with human bones. Natural parks like Ria Formosa provide habitat for many bird species, while historic villages, coastal fortresses, and lighthouses mark the landscape. Travelers through this region encounter places like Cabo de São Vicente, where land ends at the southwestern tip of Europe, the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, or the ruins of Paderne Castle. Caldas de Monchique invites bathing in warm spring water, the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos follows the coast through cut valleys, and Igreja do Carmo in Faro holds another bone chapel. Between these are beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia do Barril, Roman excavations such as Cerro da Vila in Quarteira, and Palácio de Estoi, a pink palace from the 19th century. The Algarve connects coast and interior, history and nature in a way best explored on foot.

The Algarve offers some of Portugal's most scenic landscapes, with a coastline alternating between golden beaches, ochre limestone cliffs, and rock formations shaped by marine erosion. This collection features the area's most notable sites, from the sea caves of Benagil to the natural arches of Ponta da Piedade, and the expansive areas of Ria Formosa, a protected wetland spanning 37 miles (60 kilometers) along the coast. Beyond the coastline, the Algarve also boasts a notable historical heritage, including the medieval Silves Castle built from red sandstone and the white alleys of the old town of Albufeira. Beaches such as Praia da Marinha and Praia do Amado attract photographers as well as surfers, while coastal villages like Cacela Velha maintain an authentic ambiance. These locations are particularly suitable for photography due to their contrasting colors and Mediterranean light.