Monthly notes

Beach in Algarve

Praia da Senhora da Rocha

Small fishing-harbour beach under the chapel headland at Alporchinhos/Porches; Blue Flag 2026 (ABAE); lifeguards 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026 (Portaria); accessible 2024 (APA); boats on the sand (APA). Research.

Hours
Open access. Praia de banhos 2026 with lifeguards 1 Jun–30 Sep (Portaria 204-A/2026/1; APA profile 2026). Blue Flag period 1 Jul–30 Sep 2026 (ABAE).
Open in Google Maps

OK with kids

Documented conditions only: praia de banhos with lifeguards 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026 (Portaria 204-A/2026/1); on the APA list of accessible beaches 2024. Caveat from APA 2026: the beach is tied to a fishing harbour and part of the sand is used by boats and fishing gear. Research — not first-hand.

The notes

Coordinates (research)

  • Used: OSM way 1249999772 “Praia da Senhora da Rocha” (centroid, Nominatim) — 37.0971129, -8.3854825. [OSM via the Nominatim query listed in sources, 2 Oct 2026]
  • pt-Wikipedia (Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha): 37.09611111, -8.38833333 — ≈ 276 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [pt-Wikipedia]
  • ABAE registered point: 37.097206, -8.385787 — ≈ 29 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [ABAE registered point]
  • APA classification list: 37.09687, -8.38583 — ≈ 41 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [APA classification list]
  • APA 2026 sampling point: 37.0986, -8.3799 — ≈ 522 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [APA 2026 sampling point]

What the sources say (research)

  • Official profile: Non-urban beach with intensive use. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: Golden sand with high, eroded cliffs. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: The beach is associated with a fishing harbour and part of the sand is used by small boats and fishing gear. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: Frontage 50 m. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: Tide 3.4 m. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: Mean wave 0.5 m. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: Wind NW. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: Season 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • Official profile: 0 restricted days 2025. [APA profile PTCE2H, v1/2026]
  • The bathing water PTCE2H covers “Senhora da Rocha (*)” and “Praia Nova da Senhora da Rocha”; the profile notes that Senhora da Rocha (PTCE2H) and Cova Redonda (PTCE7M) were grouped for monitoring. [APA ARH do Algarve list 2026; APA profile]
  • Water quality Excellent every year 2011–2025. [APA classification 2011–2025]
  • Blue Flag 2026 awardee (Senhora da Rocha, Lagoa); bathing season 01/06–30/09/2026; Blue Flag period 01/07–30/09/2026. [ABAE 2026 list; ABAE Lagoa page]
  • Qualified as “praia de banhos” for 2026 — bathing water Senhora da Rocha (PTCE2H), praia de banhos “Senhora da Rocha”, época balnear 1 de junho a 30 de setembro; the annex footnote (*) states that waters without a listed praia de banhos are those where, at publication, surveillance of bathers is not assured (art. 2.º n.º 5 likewise). [Portaria 204-A/2026/1, anexo I (DR 1.ª série n.º 84, supl., 30 Apr 2026)]
  • Same annex: the same water carries a second praia de banhos “Praia Nova da Senhora da Rocha” (1 Jun–30 Sep), which is listed in the “Praia de uso limitado” column. [Portaria 204-A/2026/1, anexo I (DR 1.ª série n.º 84, supl., 30 Apr 2026)]
  • AMN “Praias Vigiadas” list (linked as “Praias Vigiadas 2025” from AMN’s landing page; no year printed on the list itself): Praia da Senhora da Rocha and Praia Nova da Senhora da Rocha — 1 de junho a 30 de setembro. [AMN Praias Vigiadas; AMN Época Balnear landing page]
  • CM Lagoa’s hoisting news of 22 Jun 2026 lists Senhora da Rocha among the six Blue Flag beaches; the 27 May 2026 news listed Marinha instead. [CM Lagoa news, 22 Jun 2026; CM Lagoa news, 27 May 2026]
  • On the APA list of bathing areas with accessible beaches 2024 (“Senhora da Rocha”). [APA Praias Acessíveis 2024]
  • Municipality (concelho): Lagoa — at the place of Alporchinhos, parish of Porches. [pt-Wikipedia rev. 17 Jan 2024]
  • Quercus “Qualidade de Ouro” 2026. [CM Lagoa news, 22 Jun 2026]

Open questions

Where the places are

From Praia da Senhora da Rocha: Praia de Armação de Pêra (3 km), Praia da Marinha (3 km), Praia de Benagil (4 km), Praia do Carvalho (4 km), Praia de Vale Centeanes (6 km), Praia de Carvoeiro (8 km), Praia Grande (Ferragudo) (12 km), Praia da Rocha (13 km), Praia dos Três Irmãos (Alvor) (18 km), Praia de Alvor (18 km), Praia da Falésia (21 km), Praia do Burgau (35 km), Praia do Amado (47 km), Praia da Bordeira (47 km), Ilha Deserta (Praia da Barreta) (47 km), Praia da Arrifana (48 km), Praia de Monte Clérigo (49 km), Praia da Amoreira (49 km), Praia de Odeceixe (53 km). Straight-line distances from the centre point, not driving times.

Beach

Ilha Deserta (Praia da Barreta)

Uninhabited Ria Formosa barrier island, boat only from Faro (CM Faro); Praia da Barreta: Blue Flag 2026 (ABAE), lifeguards 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026 (Portaria); one restaurant, boardwalk, naturist zone (CM).

  • Seasonal
Researched

last checked

Beach

Praia da Falésia

Long sand under red clay cliffs east of Olhos de Água (>3 km, CM Albufeira, undated); Blue Flag 2026 at Açoteias and Alfamar (ABAE); lifeguards 15 May–15 Oct 2026 (Portaria); stairs or ramp (CM).

  • OK with kids
  • Seasonal
Researched

last checked

Beach

Praia da Marinha

Limestone-cliff cove near Carvoeiro; lifeguards 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026 and “praia de uso limitado” (Portaria; CM Lagoa: rockfall risk strips at high tide); Blue Flag 2026 conflicts between sources.

  • Seasonal
Researched

last checked

Beach

Praia da Rocha

Portimão’s urban resort beach: >1 km of sand, 2.4 km boardwalk, playground, toilets, medical post (CM Portimão 2022); Blue Flag 2026 (ABAE); lifeguards 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026 (Portaria); accessible 2024.

  • OK with kids
  • Seasonal
Researched

last checked