Salema Beach
Salema Beach
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Salema Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
58 within 3 miles
Attractions
18 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Heather EPortsmouth, United Kingdom75 contributionsBeautiful beach, but bring your own parasol.Beautiful sandy beach in the small pretty village. Icy cold Atlantic water. Sunbeds cash only. Steep hill down to beach, limited parking. If staying at NAU Beach Village, take advantage of free transport up and down hill.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 5, 2024
- irene cTirrenia, Italy114 contributionsNice quiet beach!This quiet beach is one of my favourites in the Algarve. Nice beach, well maintained, on the cliff. Long enough to go for a walk. You get there well and is available a large parking just 50 meters. Top!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 14, 2024
- Knut HHamburg, Germany11,931 contributionsA Bay of RelaxationAbove the bay we booked into the NAU apartment complex. The view from above goes over the whole bay. It is manageable and not so crowded. The restaurants are right on the beach. Sun loungers and four-poster beds are available for rent. The tranquility on the water and on the Gulf yellow beach is pure relaxation. Next door, the fishermen get their boats out of the water with the catch. The world is still right here. We really like it here because everything is primal. No concrete hotel castles spoil the landscape.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 24, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
289 reviews
Excellent
169
Very good
94
Average
18
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Ken
5 contributions
Oct 2019
I have been to Salema many times and always enjoyed the walk along the beach. It has now been cut in half and you can only walk to the right along the beach. They have covered the left hand side from the village to the point in very large rocks. This cuts the beach in half. YES I understand erosion and the need to protect the cliffs, but this will impact on visitor numbers. I talked to many people who are totally aghast at whats been done.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
Panama City, Panama4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Physically the beach is nice. No public bathrooms. This is a nude beach so beware. Older people were taking their clothes off in front of the Baio restaurant on the beach. They rent the chairs and tables on the beach and right when you are eating your lunch, there’s Omma and Oppa buck naked. So gross . There are no signs indicating it’s a nude beach and Rick Steves articles did not mention it so we understood it was NOT a nude beach.It’s unnerving and shocking to see 75 year old people naked if you aren’t expecting it. Just saying. Dogs are on the beach and most people don’t clean up after their dogs so beware.
Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Northers1973
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Couples
Nice beach with some restaurants and lots of parking. Also some shops selling plastic tut. Watch out for the portion of the beach between the two-toned red and yellow flags where the fat slugs in the daybeds object to other beach users setting up lest their view of the sea is disrupted. Policed by a lifeguard whose time would surely be better spent looking out for swimmers' safety than the interests of an entitled minority.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jody
2 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
We’ve always loved coming to this beautiful beach, my husband’s family have been coming for 35+ years . The lovely beaches, breezy climate and friendly people are what made us come back. Unfortunately, what used to be one of
Few remaining family friendly authentic holiday destinations, is now heading towards being just like other money making mass tourism places. Beach bar & staff at beach are unwelcoming to families with kids. Very formal beach restaurant & unfriendly staff. Families are told to leave when sat too closely to paid area because the staff don’t want baby tents spoiling the view of customers that reserved beds but aren’t there yet , in case people that reserved turn up
Few remaining family friendly authentic holiday destinations, is now heading towards being just like other money making mass tourism places. Beach bar & staff at beach are unwelcoming to families with kids. Very formal beach restaurant & unfriendly staff. Families are told to leave when sat too closely to paid area because the staff don’t want baby tents spoiling the view of customers that reserved beds but aren’t there yet , in case people that reserved turn up
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RayeBow
Surrey, UK310 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Beautiful sandy beach, wonderfully blue sea, easy to access restaurants and public loos.
This is a lovely beach, easily accessible from the village or via steps from a car park.
The downside was that dogs are allowed to freely roam, which isn’t the case for the main Summer season in England, and there were quite a few of them, despite all the young children.
It was also lovely in the evening to stroll along.
This is a lovely beach, easily accessible from the village or via steps from a car park.
The downside was that dogs are allowed to freely roam, which isn’t the case for the main Summer season in England, and there were quite a few of them, despite all the young children.
It was also lovely in the evening to stroll along.
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken
5 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Be aware the dirt parking lot at the bottom the hill is closed for the foreseeable future. The locals don't know how long it will be closed. There is very very limited parking at the beach.
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
synToronto
Toronto, Canada1,532 contributions
Aug 2019
I had read that Salema beach was listed on some top 25 best beaches list, so when we will on the N125 passing by Vila de Bispo and saw the sign to Salema, we had to look.
I suspect that the main appeal to the beach is that it is not overly crowded. I had heard that the surf is fairly gentle and the town still on the quiet side.
I can say that the beach was not too crowded and it did have amenities such as chair and umbrella rentals, with some restaurants accessible to the beach front.
Parking: The biggest challenge is parking - finding the parking lot and then a spot. The town is small and the roads are small. There is a free public parking area (angled parking) at the top of the hill, but that is small. If you go into town, there is an incredibly narrow road (due to cars parked on both sides) that takes you into a free public dirt lot. There is a tiny parking lot as you first enter, but you drive through to a larger dirt lot. Don't be an idiot and block people by parking in the entrance. I can't explain finding parking any better other than drive around (but I was often wondering where I should be driving).
Overall: Salema is a good choice if you want beach variety with somewhat fewer people.
I suspect that the main appeal to the beach is that it is not overly crowded. I had heard that the surf is fairly gentle and the town still on the quiet side.
I can say that the beach was not too crowded and it did have amenities such as chair and umbrella rentals, with some restaurants accessible to the beach front.
Parking: The biggest challenge is parking - finding the parking lot and then a spot. The town is small and the roads are small. There is a free public parking area (angled parking) at the top of the hill, but that is small. If you go into town, there is an incredibly narrow road (due to cars parked on both sides) that takes you into a free public dirt lot. There is a tiny parking lot as you first enter, but you drive through to a larger dirt lot. Don't be an idiot and block people by parking in the entrance. I can't explain finding parking any better other than drive around (but I was often wondering where I should be driving).
Overall: Salema is a good choice if you want beach variety with somewhat fewer people.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam H
Glasgow, UK28 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
Great beach with lots of lovely fish restaurants around at v reasonable prices
Review of eating places to follow but this area of Salema and Figueria is outstanding
Review of eating places to follow but this area of Salema and Figueria is outstanding
Written July 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pesman66
Thrapston, UK122 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This was the closest beach to our Villa at Quinta da Encosta Velha 106, Santo Antonio Resort, Salema. It is an old fishing village that is now totally turned over to tourism. As such it is small and cheaper than the surrounding better known beaches at Luz and Lagos.
We used this as our default beach. Depending on wind direction it offered great waves or calm bathing.
Sun beds are also cheaper here with basic 2 beds and umbrella only 10€ and a luxury four-poste 25€. Even with the lousy exchange rate this seemed good value.
There a re a number of child-friendly restaurants serving the usual tourist fair.
A couple of tourist shops and a supermarket as well
Parking is a nightmare. Just head straight through the sea front and park under the blue gum trees at the back of the sea front. A bit dusty but loads of room. All parking is free.
We used this as our default beach. Depending on wind direction it offered great waves or calm bathing.
Sun beds are also cheaper here with basic 2 beds and umbrella only 10€ and a luxury four-poste 25€. Even with the lousy exchange rate this seemed good value.
There a re a number of child-friendly restaurants serving the usual tourist fair.
A couple of tourist shops and a supermarket as well
Parking is a nightmare. Just head straight through the sea front and park under the blue gum trees at the back of the sea front. A bit dusty but loads of room. All parking is free.
Written July 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Exploring all corners
Amsterdam, The Netherlands26 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
you approach the beach on a very winding pretty lane so I already get the feeling that I have stumbled accross this beach by pure luck. It is in the middle of nowhere other than local residents and a couple of well to do holiday home/rental resorts so it seems to stay pretty quiet. I have visited it in May and August. My father is quite anti sand (better not to ask) and so we hired beds and parasols. The sand is very fine, the beach very clean, there are various types of places to eat to suit all styles and budgets even though the place is tiny. There is a free parking small carpark right next to the beach with just a small incline down to the sand, so excellent access for everyone. There is a bit of a shelf in the sea, but for me, this just adds to some good wave breaks but current is very gentle. I was with my toddler and felt safe, but there is also a guarded section for better peace of mind. The original tiny village is also picturesque and quaint for a bit of a potter.
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olá alguém me sabe dizer se a praia é muito ventosa em agosto?
Written March 13, 2021
Has anyone stayed in any of the old oceanfront apartments in Salema? I need on lower level.
Written February 14, 2019
Sorry Donna. Can't help with that question. We stay in the development high above the beach. Steep hills and steps.
Written February 15, 2019
Hello, we are coming in August. Could someone tell us if we can rent a surf board there?? If it’s possible to surf there ?
And how to get by bus from the airport Faro
Thanks
Written June 8, 2018
Hi! You can rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards. I'm not sure if you can rent surf boards, because it's a beach without waves. You can get a taxi to Lagos, and then a bus to the airport. I hope it helped you!
Written August 1, 2018
Hello, we are coming in August. Could someone tell us if we can rent a surf board there?? If it’s possible to surf there ?
And how to get by bus from the airport Faro
Thanks
Written June 8, 2018
Looking at the ocean beach for 2 wks may however we are wondering if the steep hill they mention leads us to the village please help as we really want to visit
Written January 8, 2017
yes, salema village is at the bottom of the hill, the hill is steep, i walked it and did not find it a problem. salema is a lovely village with great food and the beach is lovely! enjoy
Written January 9, 2017
Roughly 30 miles I'd say but you can probably get a more accurate distance on google.
Written September 12, 2016
volevo sapere come è possibile raggiungere Salema dall'aeroporto di Faro, perchè è abbastanza complicato. Premetto che arrivo dall'Italia e dovrò effettuare un cambio di aereo a Lisbona. Purtroppo l'unica compagnia aerea conveniente è la TAP Portugal. Il problema giunge a Faro. Con l'autobus ci vuole troppo tempo e non guido la macchina quindi diventa complicato. Avete qualche soluzione? Esiste un servizio taxi conveniente dall'aeroporto?
Written March 7, 2015
Showing results 1-7 of 7
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing