é bar's guide to some of the Algarve's best gay beaches...
- Vale do Lobo - Quarteira
- Armação de Pera
- Quinta do Lago - Faro Island
Quinta do Lago - Faro Island Beach
This gay beach is both referred to as Quinta do Lago or Faro Island, depending on how you get to it. The beach itself is a large stretch of beach running for several kilometres from Faro Island to Quarteira and further.
The gay beach is located
between Quinta do Lago and Faro Island beaches. This gay beach is set
in the middle of a natural reserve and in Spring and early September,
you will be able to see spectacular groups of migrating birds and wild
ducks. Also nearby lies Faro airport, making this beach a plane-spotter's
paradise!
The gay beach stretches for a long distance along a massive sand dune crowned by wild vegetation and overlooking the inland salt river running parallel to the beach and separating the beach from the mainland (hence the beach also being called Faro Island, as the beach is only accessible by a bridge on both Faro and Quinta do Lago sides).
Being a long and isolated beach, nude swimming and al fresco sex is commonplace. Cruising takes place on the top of the dune as well as along the beach. It is advisable to stay on the Quinta do Lago side of the beach (between Quinta do Lago and where the dune breaks). While the Faro Island side of the beach is also gay, it is known that on some occasions, Faro Island's fishermen have harassed and threatened nude sunbathers (if this ever happens, be sure to report it to the police).
Tends to be busy everyday
during July and August and on weekends in the other summer months. Otherwise
it can be rather quiet.
How to get there:
- From Quinta do Lago: Drive to Quinta to Lago and follow the round-abouts in direction to the sea. The road ends in a paid car park (parking fee € 5 for secure, sun protected car parking) - there are no other parking facilities but the paid car park. Walk across the wooden bridge and you will arrive at the seashore. Walk left along the beach for 10-15 minutes in direction to Faro: the gay beach starts somewhere midway between the Quinta do Lago beach and the break on the continuous dune. After the dune break it is also gay beach for a considerable extension, but beware of rare but potential harassment by local fishermen.
- From Faro Island: Drive to Faro Island and after crossing the bridge turn right and follow the road (main road and only one!) until the end - park where you may find space. Walk across to the Atlantic Ocean seaside and walk along the beach for 15 minutes in direction to Quinta do Lago (West) until you reach a break in the dune. Both before and after the break in the dune it is gay beach. You are advised to stay in the bit after the dune break, in the direction of Quinta do Lago.