Summer is already well underway, but the Algarve knows how to extend the warm days until mid-October. There are still many days of sun, sand, salt and long weekends by the sea. And if there is something good about summer, it is the feeling that time stretches out and we can enjoy things at a different pace. Next time you visit a beach, ask yourself about its history or name and discover that everything has a story.
In Mar d’Estórias, we are fascinated by stories, so we have gathered some curiosities about the beaches of the Western Algarve.
Praia da Batata – Lagos
Could this be the beach with the most peculiar name ever? Perhaps, but it is one of the most accessible in Lagos, just a few steps from the historic centre and Mar d’Estórias. There are several theories about the beach’s curious name (beach of potato): a boat may have shipwrecked there, scattering potatoes across the sand, or boats may have unloaded agricultural products, and some potatoes washed ashore. There were attempts to change the name to Praia Formosa, but the name Praia da Batata has prevailed.
Praia Dona Ana – Lagos
In 2013, this beach was named the Best Beach in the World by Condé Nast Traveller, and, in 2024, it received another accolade from Beach Atlas, ranking 23rd among the best beaches in the world for the summer of 2024. These distinctions are well-deserved: the turquoise blue waters contrasting with the cliffs captivate every visitor.
Besides its beauty, the beach has a fascinating and resilient history, which led to its name. A nun fled the convent during the atrocities of the First World War through tunnels connected to this beach, and thus, the beach was named after the nun Dona Ana.
Meia Praia – Lagos
Meia Praia has been the talk of the town, inspiring documentaries and songs and, in the first place, forming a community! Originating from Monte Gordo, these people headed to Lagos in the 1950s, hoping to find better living and working conditions. They were nicknamed the Índios da Meia Praia due to their thatched houses. After 25 April 1974, the community built masonry houses by themselves. While the men were at sea, the women worked on neighbourhood construction. The charisma and resilience of this community caught the attention of filmmaker António da Cunha Telles, who documented the building of the houses. Zeca Afonso was also moved and immortalised the community in one of his most famous songs.
The largest beach in Lagos continues to be a place of stories and a favourite spot for beachgoers.
Praia do Vau – Portimão
At this beach, there was a rather peculiar battle between locals from Portimão and sailors from the British Navy. The 7th President of the Portuguese Republic, Manuel Teixeira Gomes, described this episode in his “Letters to João de Barros”. He recounts that the sailors decided to explore the coast by land and helped themselves to the locals’ fruit, only to be met with slingshots and large stones from the Farelo stream.
More recently, a President of the Republic helped put Praia do Vau on the map. Mário Soares had his holiday home nearby and, every summer, the locals of Portimão could see him and his wife, Maria Barroso, strolling along the seafront.
For those curious about the beach’s name, “vau” refers to a shallow water crossing through which it is possible to wade. Here, a small stream flows into the sea, which is more visible in the winter.
Praia da Marinha – Lagoa
If you scroll through social media, you will surely notice a viral destination where a rock forms the shape of a heart. This place is in the Algarve, more precisely in Lagoa, at Praia da Marinha. At the top of the rocks is a specific spot where, at the right angle, thousands of people take photos for their social media that show the heart shape. This magical beach has been considered one of the top ten in Europe for several years and is among the 100 most beautiful in the world.
Explore our beaches with the best Portuguese products. At Mar d’Estórias, protect yourself from the sun with handcrafted sunglasses by Broolls. Don’t let sand be a nuisance on your beach day – take along 100% cotton towels from Futah. Carry everything you need in the traditional wicker baskets available in our shop.
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