Altura, Portugal

Overview

In August, the car parks at Altura are full of Portuguese plates, the beach bars play Portuguese radio, and the children shouting in the shallows are calling for their mães. This is the eastern Algarve's family beach resort: a place where Lisbon and Porto families have been coming for generations, and where the international tourism that defines Albufeira or Lagos has barely arrived.

Altura sits within the Castro Marim municipality, close to the Spanish border. It's not a village you'd visit for its architecture or history. The settlement is mostly low-rise apartments and holiday complexes strung along the road behind the beach. You come here for the sand, the warm shallow water, and the distinctly Portuguese atmosphere that comes with it. In July and August, the place hums; by October, most of it closes.

The beaches

Praia da Altura is the main draw: a long stretch of golden sand that faces south, sheltered from the Atlantic swells that batter the western coast. The water is noticeably warmer and calmer than anywhere west of Faro, shallow enough for small children to wade out a long way. Lifeguards patrol in summer, and the beach has showers, toilets, and a couple of bar-restaurants serving grilled fish and cold beer. Even in August, the beach is large enough that you can find space, though the area nearest the boardwalk access gets crowded by mid-morning.

A few minutes east by car (or a 20-minute walk along the coastal path), Praia Verde offers a different character entirely. Backed by umbrella pines and low dunes, it feels wilder and more secluded than Praia da Altura. There's a single restaurant and little else. The appeal is the space and the relative quiet, even in high season. The pine shade behind the beach is a genuine advantage on 35°C August afternoons.

Portuguese summer culture

What sets Altura apart from the more famous Algarve resorts is who comes here. In August, extended Portuguese families rent apartments for a week or two — grandparents, parents, children, the whole group. The beach becomes an all-day affair: arriving mid-morning with cool boxes and umbrellas, lunch at the beach bar or back at the apartment, returning to the sand until the heat fades. By evening, the restaurants fill with families eating grilled dourada (sea bream) and arroz de marisco (seafood rice) while children run between tables.

The restaurants along the main road reflect this clientele. Menus are in Portuguese first, portions are large, and prices are noticeably lower than the western Algarve: a grilled fish plate with salad and a beer for under €15 is standard. This is not a place with craft cocktail bars or fusion restaurants. It is honest, unpretentious, and better for it.

Outside July and August, Altura goes quiet. Many restaurants and shops close for the winter. If you're visiting in spring or autumn, check ahead. The beach is still excellent but the village itself has little to offer out of season.

Getting there

From Vila Real de Santo António: Altura is 12km west along the EN125 or the parallel coast road, about 15 minutes by car.

From Faro: 50km east, about 40 minutes on the A22 motorway (toll road) or an hour on the EN125.

By bus: Vamus Algarve buses run along the EN125 connecting Faro, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António, with a stop in Altura. Services run roughly every 1–2 hours on weekdays, less at weekends.

Parking: Free parking near the beach in a large unpaved car park. In August it fills by late morning. Arrive before 10am or walk from the village (10 minutes).

Practical information

Altura is a beach holiday destination, not a sightseeing one. Most visitors come for a week in summer rather than a day trip. If you're passing through, a morning or afternoon at the beach is the right amount of time. There's no old town to explore and little to do beyond the sand and the restaurants.

Accommodation is plentiful and reasonably priced: apartments and small holiday complexes make up most of the options, with a few hotels. Book well ahead for August, when Portuguese families reserve their spots months in advance.

For exploring the wider area, Tavira is 20 minutes west and worth a half-day for its churches, Roman bridge, and Ria Formosa boat trips. Monte Gordo is 10 minutes east with a large beach and casino, while the Spanish border town of Ayamonte is a short drive across the Guadiana. Altura works well as a quiet base for the eastern Algarve, provided you have a car.

Last reviewed: 23 February 2026