Praia do Garrão Nascente is part of a 17 km long stretch of sand where one beach flows into the next. This is a spectacular beach with soft, white sand and great facilities located in the esteemed ‘Golden Triangle’, a collection of high-end resorts. A fantastic beach to spend the day.
The closest town is Almancil. A short drive from Faro, Vilamoura or Loulé with excellent restaurants on the beach and a variety of water sports and facilities available. It is also the start of the Loulé boardwalk a 4,7 km, a wooden walkway along the coast.
Table of Contents
Praia do Garrão All About The Beach
Garrão Beach is divided into two parts; Praia do Garrão Nascente (the eastern section) and Praia do Garrão Poente (the western section). It forms part of a large beach area extending from the town of Quarteira almost all the way to Faro for 17 kilometers. Garrão Nascente Beach is about 1 km long. Easy access, the start of the boardwalk, plenty of restaurants and watersports results in a busy beach in season.
Garrão Beach Facilities
- Beach – 1 km sandy beach
- Blue Flag beach
- Toilets: available at the restaurants
- Lifeguards: yes
- Sunbeds: yes
- Umbrellas: yes
- Parking: yes
- Restaurants: yes
Praia do Garrão is a neat, clean blue flag beach meeting international standards regarding safety, water quality, facilities and environmental management.
Life guards are on duty in season.
Parking is free. There are three parking areas close to the beach. The area is quite big but can fill up in the busy summer months.
Beach Chairs and umbrellas are for rent in season
A variety of watersports are offered including banana boats, pedalo’s, jet skis and canoeing.
Toilets in the restaurants can be used, just wear shoes and a shirt when going to use the facilities.
This beach is known for a range of beach front restaurants and bars, offering great food and cocktails. ‘Julia’s’ looking over the beach is very popular and we had a good breakfast and coffee at ‘Eduardos’ another nice beach front restaurant.
Things to do at Garrão Nascente Beach
Swimming
Garrão Beach is a great beach for swimming. Conditions are flat enough most of the time, especially in summer time for swimming. Close to the shore it is fairly shallow. Life guards are on duty in season. To be safe swim close to the life guards.
Water Temperature – The water in the Algarve is cool most of the time varying between 15C and 20C irrespective of season. When it is hot in summer it is nice for swimming and water sport, you need a wetsuit to stay in the water for a long time.
Sunbathing
Praia da Garrão is very nice for spending a couple of hours on the beach. A large, clean, spacious beach, great for sunbathing, playing beach games it is possible to find some privacy on this large beach, even in season. Parking is not a problem and there are plenty of spots for a drink or something to eat. The sand is nice and soft all along the long beach. In season sunbeds and shade is for hire, it is quite pricey. In off-season bring your own umbrella.
Water Sports
The calm, clear water with a sandy bottom is great for a variety of water sports such as kayaking, SUP (Stand Up Paddle), pedalo’s and motorised sports such as banana boats, jet skis and wake boarding. Operators on the beach offer water sports in season.
Hiking
A great spot to start day walks from. The long beach area is excellent for walking. The Loulé boardwalk also starts at Garão beach.
The Loulé boardwalk is a linear wooden walkway stretching from Praia do Garão to Quinta do Lago. This 4,7 km route takes between 1 and 1h30min. to walk. Walking it as a return trail it’s 9,4 km, 2-3 hours. You can extend the walk continuing on the Ludo Trail at the end of the boardwalk.
Where to stay near Garrao Beach
Close to the beach the best places are Vale de Lobo or Almancil, for budget options there are some places available in Faro that is not too far away.
- Budget | Loulé Coreto Hostel (Faro)
- Middle price | Vale Do Lobo Resort (Almancil)
- High-end | Dunas Douradas Beach Club (Vale do Lobo)