Praia da Marinha sits by the hamlet of Caramujeira, in the municipality of Lagoa, on the Algarve's south coast. It's known above all for its golden limestone cliffs, carved into natural arches and sea caves that can be explored by swimming at low tide, and for a small strip of fine sand set against turquoise water.
Access is via a steep wooden staircase built into the cliff face. Most tourism guides put the count at around 150 steps, though CoveTrip's own beach record for this location logs 165 — the gap likely comes from where each count starts and ends along the path, so it's worth planning for a demanding descent (and climb back up) rather than trusting either number exactly. There is no wheelchair access or amphibious beach chair here, precisely because of that staircase.
There is a paid car park at the top of the cliff, a lifeguard on duty during the bathing season (June to September), portable toilets and showers. There's no restaurant on the beach itself, though a seasonal beach bar typically operates with drinks, ice cream and snacks; for a full meal, the village of Carvoeiro is about 3 km away. Sunbed and umbrella rental is available in high season.
Recognition for Praia da Marinha isn't recent: it received Portugal's "Golden Beach" award from the then Ministry of the Environment in 1998, for its natural qualities, and it carries Blue Flag (FEE) certification. The Michelin Guide has included it among the most beautiful beaches in Europe and the world, and CNN listed it in 2018 among the world's most beautiful cliff beaches, naming it again in 2019 as Portugal's best beach for a September visit.
About 1.5 km away is the starting point for kayak trips to the Benagil caves, another of the region's best-known limestone formations. More broadly, Marinha sits within the Algarve region, where this kind of cliff-carved coastline repeats for dozens of kilometres. Precisely because it takes planning — a car, a staircase, a tide — Marinha makes the list of beaches you can't just show up to.
Most tourism guides put it at around 150 wooden steps; CoveTrip's own beach record for this location logs 165. The gap likely comes from where each count starts and ends — either way, it's a demanding descent and climb.
No. The only access is the wooden staircase built into the cliff, so there is no wheelchair route or amphibious beach chair available.
Yes, there is a paid car park at the top of the cliff, near the start of the staircase.
There's no restaurant on the beach itself. A seasonal beach bar typically operates with drinks, ice cream and snacks; for a full meal, the village of Carvoeiro is about 3 km away.
Yes, during the bathing season, from June to September.
Real historical monthly sea temperature averages.