Praia de Boiao
Alvor, Algarve, Portugal
Praia de Boiao sits along a stretch of coast near Alvor in Portugal's Algarve, actually three small pockets of sand strung along a rocky point that only connect fully at low tide. Limestone cliffs formed some 25 million years ago rise above the water in odd, sculpted shapes, and there's no bar or sunbed rental to interrupt the view.
A genuinely scenic stretch of cliffs and hidden coves without the crowds of Praia da Rocha next door, though the lack of any facilities means it's a bring-your-own-everything beach.
Time a visit around low tide if seeing all three sections of the beach and the passages between them is the goal, since high tide cuts off some of the connections.
The walk from Praia da Rocha takes about 40 minutes along coastal trails, or a taxi from Portimao or Alvor is a quick, inexpensive option.
There are no steep stairs or cliff descents to reach the main beach areas, though the connecting passages between sections depend on tide and involve some rock scrambling.
June through September brings the warm, dry Algarve summer, with the calmest seas and best beach weather typically running from late spring through early fall.
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