Praia dos Arrifes

Praia dos Arrifes is a beach on the Atlantic south coast of the Algarve, close to the village resort of Sesmarias which is within the Municipality of Albufeira, Portugal.[1] This beach is located 2.4 miles (3.9 km) by road to the west of Albufeira old town centre and is 29.6 miles (47.6 km) west of the regions capital of Faro.[2][3] This beach is one of sixty nine[4] blue flag beaches[5] (2012) in the Algarve.

Praia dos Arrifes
Praia dos Arrifes
Location of Praia dos Arrifes
LocationAlbufeira, Faro District, Portugal
Coordinates37°4′33.80″N 8°16′38.86″W
GeologyBeach

Description

The beach is also sometimes referred to locally as Praia dos Três Penecos (beach of triple rocks).[6] This because of the location of three large isolated rock formations which dominate the line of the horizon from the beach. The tops of the formations are dotted with plants resistant to salt spray, such as Wormleaf Saltwort and Rock Samphire, which survive and grow on the rocks because the tops are well above the high tide level. Above the small beach, the cliff tops are populated by pine trees and examples of the Dwarf Fan Palms, the only palm native to Europe.

Access and Facilities

To reach the sands there are a set of wooden steps from the parking area making access to this beach difficult for the disabled. The beach facilities include a bar and restaurant although this is closed in the winter. There are toilets and a shower. During the summer season the beach is patrolled by lifeguards. Also in the summer season there are Loungers, and parasols which can be hired. At the back of the beach there is a large informal parking area although in the summer parking is strictly controlled in order to minimise destabilization of the cliffs. Whilst on this beach it is advised to take caution when near the base of the cliffs as there is a danger of falling rocks and stones from above. At the eastern end of the main beach there is a small satellite beach which has difficult access across the rocky foreshore but is characterised with many interesting rock formations and fossilised bedrock.

References
  1. Portuguese civilian survey: Sheet 52B Albufeira. Publishers: Instituto Geográfico Português (Portugal Civilian Survey). Scale:1:50,000. ISBN 972-8867-11-5
  2. "Spain & Portugal 2012, Tourist and Motoring Atlas. Pub:Michelin, 2011, ISBN 978-2-06-717415-3
  3. "Tours around the Algarve – ROTAS" (PDF). page 67(Page 34 in PDF format), references to beaches between Albufeira and gale. Turismo de Portugal-Algarve. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  4. "General information for the Algarve, Portugal – Blue Flag Beaches". Information of details and number of blue flag beaches in the Algarve. Algarve Retreats – The Algarve Specialists. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  5. "Praia dos Arrifes". Blue Flag listing for Praia de São Rafael – Blue Flag website. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) ©2013 All Rights Reserved. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  6. "Praia dos Arrifes". Reference to alternative name for this beach. Vilamoura – Portugal. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
  • Praia dos Arrifes
  • Rock formations on the beach
  • The beach bar and restaurant
  • Looking westwards across the beach
  • Looking eastwards across the beach
  • The satellite beach to the east of the main beach
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