Praia da Rocha Baixinha Poente

Loule, Portugal

Extensive sandy beach backed by pine forest between Quarteira and Vale do Lobo. Calm waters, parking, restaurant nearby.

Albufeira, Portugal

Praia da Baleeira is the only beach in the eastern Algarve where dogs are genuinely welcome year-round, including during the peak summer months. This is because Albufeira falls under the more lenient Burgau-Vilamoura coastal management plan, unlike every beach east of Vilamoura which bans dogs from June to September under the stricter POOC regulations. The beach occupies a small, shell-shaped cove tucked inside Albufeira's harbour near the Marina de Albufeira, providing naturally calm and sheltered waters protected from the open Atlantic swell. The sandy beach has some rocky portions and gets partially submerged at high tide, so checking tide times before visiting is essential. Being non-concessioned, there are no lifeguards, showers, or other beach infrastructure — bring your own water, shade, and waste bags. Free parking is available about 300 metres from the beach, though spaces are limited. Access on foot from central Albufeira takes about 35 minutes via the marina on the south side, or you can drive to the nearby dirt road parking. For dog owners visiting the Algarve in summer, Praia da Baleeira is a rare and valuable find — while most of the region's beaches turn dogs away from June to September, this sheltered harbour cove remains open and welcoming. The calm harbour water also makes it one of the safest swimming spots for dogs in the Algarve.

Silves, Portugal

Over 2km of wild sandy beach backed by dunes and the bird-rich Lagoa dos Salgados lagoon.