Quinta do Lago - Faro Island Beach

This gay beach is both referred to as Quinta do Lago or Faro Island, depending on how you get to it. The beach itself is a large stretch of beach running for several kilometres from Faro Island to Quarteira and further.

The gay beach is located between Quinta do Lago and Faro Island beaches. This gay beach is set in the middle of a natural reserve and in Spring and early September, you will be able to see spectacular groups of migrating birds and wild ducks. Also nearby lies Faro airport, making this beach a plane-spotter's paradise!

The gay beach stretches for a long distance along a massive sand dune crowned by wild vegetation and overlooking the inland salt river running parallel to the beach and separating the beach from the mainland (hence the beach also being called Faro Island, as the beach is only accessible by a bridge on both Faro and Quinta do Lago sides).

Being a long and isolated beach, nude swimming and al fresco sex is commonplace. Cruising takes place on the top of the dune as well as along the beach. It is advisable to stay on the Quinta do Lago side of the beach (between Quinta do Lago and where the dune breaks). While the Faro Island side of the beach is also gay, it is known that on some occasions, Faro Island's fishermen have harassed and threatened nude sunbathers (if this ever happens, be sure to report it to the police).

Tends to be busy everyday during July and August and on weekends in the other summer months. Otherwise it can be rather quiet.


How to get there:

• From Quinta do Lago: Drive to Quinta to Lago and follow the round-abouts in direction to the sea. The road ends in a paid car park (parking fee € 5 for secure, sun protected car parking) - there are no other parking facilities but the paid car park. Walk across the wooden bridge and you will arrive at the seashore. Walk left along the beach for 10-15 minutes in direction to Faro: the gay beach starts somewhere midway between the Quinta do Lago beach and the break on the continuous dune. After the dune break it is also gay beach for a considerable extension, but beware of rare but potential harassment by local fishermen.

• From Faro Island: Drive to Faro Island and after crossing the bridge turn right and follow the road (main road and only one!) until the end - park where you may find space. Walk across to the Atlantic Ocean seaside and walk along the beach for 15 minutes in direction to Quinta do Lago (West) until you reach a break in the dune. Both before and after the break in the dune it is gay beach. You are advised to stay in the bit after the dune break, in the direction of Quinta do Lago.

Armação de Pera Beach

The gay beach at Armação de Pera, called "Praia Grande" is a large beach with exceptional views of the seacoast, especially of the Armação de Pera bay. The sand is clean and the beach is shielded on the north side by extensive dunes and on the eastern side, by some rock formations marking the end of the nude gay beach. Like most gay beaches in the Algarve, you can go nude or wear beachwear.

The dunes behind the beach are action packed by mid-afternoon. The bamboo by the end of the dunes (on the opposite direction to the sea) is a good hunting ground.

How to get there:

• Walking from Armação de Pera: Walk along the beach in direction to Albufeira (East). The gay beach is about 10 minutes from the fisherman's beach in downtown Armação de Pera.

• Driving: Take directions to 'Pera' (small village between the main road EN125 and Armação de Pera). When you get to Pera, follow the directions to 'Praia Grande'. Park by the bamboo. Walk accross the dunes in direction to the sea.

Vale do Lobo - Quarteira Beach

The gay beach between Vale do Lobo and Quarteira is also known as 'Cavalo Preto' beach (Black Horse beach). While driving to this beach from Quarteira requires a little spirit of adventure as the road is replaced, at the last stage, with a track through a pinewood forest, it is certainly worth the trip. It is a generously sized gay beach, with a large stretch of sand and dunes, and a bush area north of the dunes where cruising takes place.

This is a popular beach, busy all year round (even in the winter for cruising) and especially crowded with gay people in the summer. Nude sunbathing and swimming (beachwear optional).

How to get there:

• Walking from Quarteira: Drive or walk to the end of Quarteira. Walk along the beach in direction to Faro (East). Pass the first set of cliffs. The gay beach starts towards the middle of the cliffless beach until the next set of cliffs (Vale do Lobo). Behind the beach you will see marshland and golf courses. The gay beach is about 20 to 30 minutes walk from Quarteira.

• Walking from Vale do Lobo: Drive to Vale do Lobo and park as close to the beach access as possible. Walk towards the sea and walk along the beach in direction to Quarteira (West). The gay beach is about 10 minutes walk from Vale do Lobo.

• Driving: From Quarteira - Take the road to Almancil, drive pass the Camping and turn right at the next road marked 'Praia do Almargem'. Follow the road in direction to the sea, driving through the pine tree forest. While driving through the pine trees, take the track roads going towards the left. Road will finish by the sea, in front of a beach side café, where parking is available. Walk along the beach towards the Vale do Lobo cliffs: the gay beach starts half way along and runs till the Vale do Lobo cliffs.