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Location

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Beaches

Praia dos Três Castelos

Portimão, Algarve, Portugal

VERIFIED

Highlights

Cliff-framed sandy beach beside Beach da Rocha
Access from Miradouro dos Três Castelos via stairs
Rock formations, arches, caves and rocky platforms verified by Visit Portimão
Parking, bar, restaurant and surveillance listed by VisitPortugal
Lifeguard, first-aid, WC, showers and accessible-beach designation listed by Visit Portimão
2026 Blue Flag and bathing season verified by ABAAE

Full description

Beach dos Três Castelos is a maritime beach in Portimão, immediately west of Beach da Rocha on the Algarve coast. VisitPortugal describes it as a golden-sand beach beside Beach da Rocha, connected to it by a passage cut through the rocks on the eastern side and neighbouring Praia dos Careanos to the west. The beach is defined by its cliff scenery. Visit Portimão describes access by the stairs descending from Miradouro dos Três Castelos and highlights the sculpted rock formations, arches, caves and rocky platforms visible from above before reaching the sand. The same official source lists beach support, showers, lifeguard, first-aid post, WC, awning zone, nautical centre, Blue Flag and accessible-beach designation. This is a scenic but practical beach for visitors staying around Beach da Rocha and Portimão. It suits photography, short beach visits and coastal walks along the cliff-backed shoreline towards Beach da Rocha, Beach do Vau and the Alvor side of the coast. Because access is stair-based in the official description and the beach sits beneath cliffs, visitors should take mobility, cliff safety and sea conditions seriously. For 2026, ABAAE lists Três Castelos as a Blue Flag coastal beach, with both the bathing season and Blue Flag season from 1 June to 30 September. Diário da República also lists Três Castelos, bathing-water code PTCX8E, with the 2026 bathing season from 1 June to 30 September. Facilities and lifeguard support should still be treated as seasonal and checked locally before swimming.

Meeting point

Praia dos Três Castelos, Portimão, Algarve, Portugal

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Practical details

Parking

VisitPortugal lists parking for Beach dos Três Castelos. Current capacity, payment conditions, access restrictions and walking distance from parking to the beach stairs were not independently verified for this update.

Accessibility

Visit Portimão lists Beach dos Três Castelos as an accessible beach, but the same official description says access is via stairs from Miradouro dos Três Castelos. Visitors with reduced mobility should confirm the current accessible route, adapted equipment and seasonal assistance before travelling.

Lifeguard season

Visit Portimão lists lifeguard support, and both ABAAE and Diário da República list the official 2026 bathing season from 1 June to 30 September. Exact daily staffing was not independently verified; check flags, signage and local notices before swimming.

Blue Flag status

Blue Flag status: verified for 2026 via ABAAE. The official ABAAE Três Castelos page lists the 2026 bathing season and Blue Flag season from 1 June to 30 September 2026. At the time checked, the flag was shown as not yet hoisted.

Important information

Suitable for

Visitors wanting a scenic beach close to Beach da Rocha
Photography-focused travellers
Couples
Beachgoers comfortable with stair access
Families who are comfortable managing steps, cliffs and a busier setting
Coastal walkers

Not suitable for

Visitors seeking a remote or quiet beach in high season
Visitors who cannot manage stairs unless current accessible access is confirmed
Travellers wanting an undeveloped natural beach
Visitors uncomfortable with cliff-backed beaches

Includes

Beach support

Showers

Seasonal lifeguard service

Seasonal first-aid post

Nautical centre

Awning and shade-rental zone

Accessible beach designation

Seasonal Blue Flag

Viewpoint access

Rock formations and cliff scenery

Best Time to Visit

June to September aligns with the official 2026 bathing season and Blue Flag season. May, June and September are useful for cliff photography and coastal walks with less peak-summer pressure. In July and August, earlier arrival is advisable because the beach is close to Beach da Rocha and main access points can be busier.

Know before you go

ABAAE lists the 2026 bathing season for Três Castelos as 1 June 2026 to 30 September 2026. ABAAE lists the 2026 Blue Flag season for Três Castelos as 1 June 2026 to 30 September 2026. Diário da República lists Três Castelos, bathing-water code PTCX8E, with the 2026 bathing season from 1 June to 30 September. At the time of verification, ABAAE showed the flag as not yet hoisted, consistent with the season not yet being under way. VisitPortugal lists parking, bar, restaurant, safety or surveillance and sunshade rental. Visit Portimão lists beach support, lifeguard, first-aid post, WC, showers, nautical centre, awning zone and accessible-beach designation. Visit Portimão describes access by stairs from Miradouro dos Três Castelos; visitors with reduced mobility should confirm current accessible routes and assistance before travelling. Facilities, lifeguard staffing and beach support may vary by season and concession operation. The beach is backed by cliffs and eroded rock formations; visitors should avoid cliff edges, cliff bases and restricted areas. Nearby cards use only internally published AlgarveOfficial listing links; no external competitor website button was added.

Nearby beaches

Beach da Rocha

Nearby beach · ~0.9 km

Published AlgarveOfficial beach listing east of Beach dos Três Castelos by stored coordinates.

Published internal listing

Nearby restaurants

White Leaf - Catering Algarve

Restaurants · ~0.5 km

Restaurante F

Restaurants · ~0.6 km

Vista

Restaurants · ~0.8 km

Vista Restaurant

Restaurants · ~0.8 km

Nearby attractions

Alto Golf Course

Golf · ~1.9 km

Published AlgarveOfficial golf listing near Beach dos Três Castelos by stored coordinates.

Published internal listing

Tc Jet Tour - Jetski & Boat & Buggy Portimão Rental Algarve

Experiences · ~1.6 km

FAQ

Where is Beach dos Três Castelos?

Beach dos Três Castelos is in Portimão, immediately beside Beach da Rocha on the Algarve coast.

Is there parking at Beach dos Três Castelos?

VisitPortugal lists parking for Beach dos Três Castelos. Current capacity, payment conditions and access restrictions were not independently verified.

Are there lifeguards at Beach dos Três Castelos?

Visit Portimão lists lifeguard support, and the official 2026 bathing season is listed from 1 June to 30 September. Exact daily staffing should be checked locally.

Is Beach dos Três Castelos a Blue Flag beach?

Yes. ABAAE verifies Três Castelos as a 2026 Blue Flag beach, with the Blue Flag season listed from 1 June to 30 September 2026.

Is Beach dos Três Castelos accessible?

Visit Portimão lists the beach as accessible, but also describes access by stairs from Miradouro dos Três Castelos. Visitors with reduced mobility should confirm the current accessible route and seasonal assistance before travelling.

What are the nearest beaches to Beach dos Três Castelos?

Nearby published AlgarveOfficial beach listings include Beach da Rocha, Beach do Vau, Beach do Alemão, Beach da Prainha, Beach dos Três Irmãos and Beach de Alvor.

Are there restaurants near Beach dos Três Castelos?

Yes. AlgarveOfficial has internally published nearby restaurant listings including Restaurante F, NUMA, Vista Restaurant and Allgarbe Restaurante. Distances are approximate and calculated from stored listing coordinates.

What is the best time to visit Beach dos Três Castelos?

June to September matches the verified 2026 bathing and Blue Flag season. May, June and September are useful for cliff photography and coastal walks with less peak-summer pressure.