Praia Sao Rafael
Praia Sao Rafael
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Praia Sao Rafael
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
439 within 5 kms
Attractions
106 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,411 reviews
Excellent
928
Very good
394
Average
70
Poor
12
Terrible
7
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Patrick B
Killarney, Ireland340 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Generally, the beach is good. It's picturesque and clean. We visited for 8 days straight and rented 2 beds/umbrella each time. On hindsight that's 18x8 [€144] but sure it had to be done.
My one gripe is the cafe/restaurant. The staff are pleasant but if seems to me the owner is the real winner in this enterprise - for example, €3.50 for a large water (€0.75 in the shop up the road) or €5.50 - 7.50 for juice/ milkshake/ smoothies which are quite mediocre. The list goes on. It seems to me that where the staff are being paid c.€5 an hour, it isn't hard to see the opportunism. Some call it capitalism. Others call it greed. I don't suppose the latter.
Aside from that, nice spot.
My one gripe is the cafe/restaurant. The staff are pleasant but if seems to me the owner is the real winner in this enterprise - for example, €3.50 for a large water (€0.75 in the shop up the road) or €5.50 - 7.50 for juice/ milkshake/ smoothies which are quite mediocre. The list goes on. It seems to me that where the staff are being paid c.€5 an hour, it isn't hard to see the opportunism. Some call it capitalism. Others call it greed. I don't suppose the latter.
Aside from that, nice spot.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bl0ndie72
Ko Samui, Thailand3,474 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
There is no denying that the beach at Sao Rafael is stunning, however judging by the number of people shoe horned onto the sand, you’d be forgiven to think the pandemic was well & truly over. No social distancing. Lots of big groups of people.
It is a lovely sandy beach & the sea in crystal clear but it’s probably worth visiting either early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds, particularly in the current climate. We didn’t stay long, it was just too busy.
It is a lovely sandy beach & the sea in crystal clear but it’s probably worth visiting either early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds, particularly in the current climate. We didn’t stay long, it was just too busy.
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack
Higham Ferrers, UK13 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Went on the dolphin and cave excursion and saw all of these hidden beaches that looked fantastic. Came across the Praia Sao Rafael beach so thought we would give it ago.
The first part of the beach was quite busy but as the tide went out the other half of the beach became accessible. It was atheistically lush, with green waters and caves around. Beach was nice and quiet and had a lovely sun trap.
Both my partner and I said it was the nicest looking beach we had been to.
The first part of the beach was quite busy but as the tide went out the other half of the beach became accessible. It was atheistically lush, with green waters and caves around. Beach was nice and quiet and had a lovely sun trap.
Both my partner and I said it was the nicest looking beach we had been to.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
giuditta999
Nuremberg, Germany16 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Picturesque bay surrounded by rocks. Fine, clean sand. In one area, seaweed has washed up, but then you just walk a few meters further into the water. Part of the beach is separated off with umbrellas and loungers for which you have to pay. We lay in the sand...
There is a small restaurant, prices are slightly higher, but still OK.
Free toilets are available. In high season, it is definitely advisable to come early, as the bay is not big and fills up quickly.
There is a small restaurant, prices are slightly higher, but still OK.
Free toilets are available. In high season, it is definitely advisable to come early, as the bay is not big and fills up quickly.
Written 8 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liah W
Mondsee, Austria98 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The beach is beautiful and not too big, and there is free parking available.
Unfortunately, there is seaweed all over the beach, washed up on the beach but also floating in the sea. It makes swimming a bit of a nightmare.
There were still enough loungers at 9:30 a.m. We paid €18 for 2 loungers and an umbrella, but by midday the part of the beach where you were allowed to bring umbrellas was already full.
The beach bar is nice and the prices are OK. Unfortunately, there is no shower, and there is a toilet but it is not really clean.
Unfortunately, there is seaweed all over the beach, washed up on the beach but also floating in the sea. It makes swimming a bit of a nightmare.
There were still enough loungers at 9:30 a.m. We paid €18 for 2 loungers and an umbrella, but by midday the part of the beach where you were allowed to bring umbrellas was already full.
The beach bar is nice and the prices are OK. Unfortunately, there is no shower, and there is a toilet but it is not really clean.
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle Diniz
Belo Horizonte, MG36 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Wonderful.
The entire coast of the Algarve is wonderful. We went in the spring because we don't like crowded places. Extremely cold water. Brazilians accustomed to warm beaches can't stand it. It was very windy at the end of April, we went to the beach in winter clothes. Hehehe! It was worth it for the beauty.
The entire coast of the Algarve is wonderful. We went in the spring because we don't like crowded places. Extremely cold water. Brazilians accustomed to warm beaches can't stand it. It was very windy at the end of April, we went to the beach in winter clothes. Hehehe! It was worth it for the beauty.
Written 8 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andie Garvin
New Jersey81 contributions
May 2023 • Family
It was so-so. The best part is being able to look down from the cliffs above, very picturesque, that alone is worth it. My husband, infant daughter & I went in the afternoon. A great amount of seaweed covered the shoreline & first several feet into the water. I know seaweed is natural but many of the other beaches nearby have very little/none. Also on Apple Maps it says good for kids, and there were some there, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend for toddlers bc of the amount of seen/unseen large rocks in the sand. A little dangerous to swim for the same reason. It’s a beautiful beach worthy of exploration, but I just feel there’s plenty of other beaches nearby that offer a nicer experience for young children and those who enjoy swimming.
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
massimo23456
Milan, Italy20 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. It may happen that you find algae or find it crowded in July and August. In any case, the context is breathtaking. It is also possible to take the path to the right of the beach which will take you in a few minutes to a shell cave from which you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view.
Written 18 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebD
Castle Rock, CO8 contributions
Jul 2023
Beautiful beach! Get there early because it gets crowded. There is a large free parking lot. Restaurant doesn't open until 12 noon for food but does open earlier for coffee. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, first come first served. Very scenic cliffs and rock formations. See if you can spot Godzilla Rock!
Written 25 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary B
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This beach is great for families! It has a fantastic restaurant, very nice rock formations with a small hidden waterfall. The parking is hard to find however, it is better to walk if you can. There is algae in the water, however most of the beaches had algae on the shoreline. It has beautiful sand, the water was cold and refreshing, you can walk around the top of the cliffs and see other rock formations, secluded beaches, follow the path and you can find hidden stairs and pathways to them!
Written 19 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there!
Yes I think so, I remember seeing a dog in the water, it's only a small beach though and can get very full quickly.
Written 16 August 2021
Where exactely is the spot that I have seen from the boat? A beach behind a big rock that I have seen through a hole in that big rock? A hole that discovers from the water when low tide comes?
Written 2 September 2018
Indian restaurant in Sao rafael
Written 24 August 2018
Rosario Ferreira Gomes
Porto, Portugal
Does it have showers for us to take a bath?
Written 24 July 2018
Not that I knkow of. We were there in February. During the summer, there may be more facilities available
Written 7 August 2018
Consiglio il noleggio di una macchina perchè queste spiagge sono tante e tutte da vedere. Altrimenti taxi
Written 2 September 2019
Where is the best place for food shopping and purchasing alcohol in this area for a 2 week self catering holiday. Also good local Bars
Written 11 June 2018
If you have a car Albufeira is a few minutes away. Continente, lidel and Aldi’s are on a he Main Street
There are local mini markets around. Look on Google maps
Written 13 June 2018
quale è la località migliore per alloggiare in Algarve? non troppo affollata
Written 7 January 2018
io ho alloggiato in un hotel vicino a Albufeira, era un po fuori dal centro. Consiglio noleggio mezzo se non muniti.
Written 8 January 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 29
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing