With the approaching summer, the search for places that combine natural beauty and a touch of isolation grows. Some beaches keep their charm precisely because they don’t offer themselves right away. In the Algarve, a few meters from sea level, hidden between cliffs and accessible only after a long descent, one of these places is.
Located in Lagos, Algarve, Camilo Beach is one of the most ‘peculiar’ bathing zones in the southern region of Portugal. Its location, embedded between oceged shades and rocky formations of great visual impact, offers an unusual scenario.
According to the Spanish newspaper 20 minutes, access to the beach is made by a staircase with more than 200 steps, an element that contributes to its almost clandestine air.
A tunnel between two worlds
The beach is divided into two parts by a large rock. Still, this separation does not prevent access between the zones. According to the same source, there is a tunnel excavated in the stone that allows visitors to cross from side to side, facilitating the exploration of the full sand.
The thin and light sand, in contrast to the reddish tones of the cliffs, finds a chromatic balance with the translucent waters of the Atlantic.
It writes the same newspaper as sunset seen from this point is one of the most striking moments of the experience, especially during the summer months, and many Spaniards who live near the Portugal border who elect this beach to spend the day.
Ponta da Piedade: a natural extension of the landscape
Nearby Camilo beach is Ponta da Piedade, one of the most emblematic geological formations in the region. According to Visit Portugal, this rocky promontory stands out for its sea caves and irregular forms carved by the erosion of the sea.
The same source states that it is possible to explore this area by sea, through boat rides that lead visitors inside the caves and to small isolated beaches, fitted between the rocks.
Conditioned access, guaranteed reward
The staircase leading to Camilo Beach is, simultaneously, a challenge and invitation. Before starting the descent, the panoramic view invites contemplation. Also underlines the site Visit Portugal that the landscape view of the top is of great visual impact and serves as an introduction to the following bathing experience.
The clipping of the cliffs and the limitation of Areal make this beach a place where the tide dictates the rhythms and available spaces. Still, this conditioned character is part of your identity.
We recommend:
Nature preserved in a controlled environment
Despite the growing popularity, the place maintains a reduced scale, which favors environmental preservation. The newspaper states that Camilo Beach is considered one of the best kept secrets of the Algarve and its geographical framing contributes to a more controlled visit in terms of tourist flow.
A balance between tourism and identity
Proximity with lakes allows this beach to be integrated in a zone with a vast hotel and gastronomic offer, but without losing its singular character. The descent to the sand acts as a kind of transition: from urban bullet to natural isolation.
The city’s short distance and easy connection to Ponta da Piedade make it possible to combine a beach morning with a maritime afternoon or exploration of cliffs.
Erosion as a sculptor of the landscape
The geological evolution of the zone contributed to a scenario where the rock seems to come to life. Ponta da Piedade formations, with their arches and caves, are witness to the continuous action of the sea over centuries. According to the same source, boat routes are the best way to perceive the extent and complexity of this natural molding.
Between the secret and the postcard
Although increasingly present in tourist itineraries, Camilo Beach continues to be sought by those who privilege less evident spaces. The physical requirement to get there and the small size of the sand acts as natural filters, preserving part of your anonymity.
In any case, note that the fact that the sand of this beach is very small makes it crowded several times in the summer, even before 11am.
Also read:
