Salema Algarve – The complete travel guide
Salema (Algarve) holiday tips
Salema is a small town in the western Algarve, about an hour and a quarter drive from Faro Airport. If you are looking for peace and relaxation with a beach within walking distance, then this is the place for you. With only a handful of restaurants and cafes, it is nice and quiet here in the evenings. But if you are looking for a bit more liveliness and adventure, Lagos is less than a quarter of an hour away.
Salema is also an excellent starting point to explore the west coast of the Algarve. Within fifteen minutes you are at the rugged coastline and beautiful beaches that can be found between Sagres and Carrapateira. The interior of the Algarve is also relatively close: the mountain village of Monchique is just an hour’s drive away.
In Salema itself, the wide sandy beach of Praia da Salema offers more than enough space for all visitors and you can enjoy some great snorkelling along the rock formations on the west side.
Discover on this page my recommendations for a visit or stay in this nice coastal town in the Algarve. Welcome to Salema!
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The best car rental company in the Algarve is Luzcar: a small family business with a super score of 4.8/5 on Google Maps. The rental prices always include full insurance, you pay no deposit and the car is ready for you at the airport or in Lagos. Moreover, you do not need a credit card!
Discover all the great conditions and excellent prices on this page. Moreover, you will receive free extras from us if you make a reservation directly.
Salema top 6 sights
In Salema itself there are no notable sights, except of course Praia da Salema . But that is precisely the charm and the reason why it is so quiet here. Nevertheless, there is enough to discover in the area. The sights mentioned below are just outside Salema and are easily accessible by car.
These are the top 6 sights in and around Salema:
1. Praia da Salema
Not to be missed is the golden sand of Praia da Salema . This sandy beach is a kilometre wide and if you are staying in the centre of Salema, it is only a few minutes walk.
In the summer, the beach beds and umbrellas are ready and you can take a refreshing dip in the clear blue water. On the small boulevard ( Travesa do Miramar ) and on the Largo da Liberdade you will find a handful of restaurants for lunch, dinner or a drink.
In winter, Salema is even quieter, with most visitors looking for some waves that roll in here on an easterly swell.
2. Forte de Almádena
The ruins of the once impressive Forte de Almádena stand on the tip of a cliff, from where you have a beautiful view over the nearby beaches and of course the Atlantic Ocean.
The last part is unpaved and can be bumpy, so park just after the turnoff on the side and walk the last bit until you reach the ruins.
Although not much remains, you can imagine how guards used to keep a close eye on the sea from the walls here for pirates and other riff-raff.
3. Praia das Furnas
A 12-minute drive from Salema, the last part of which is unpaved, is the little-visited Praia das Furnas . This beautiful wide beach is popular with naturists and there are always a number of vans in the parking lot that I suspect are spending the night there – not entirely legally.
Along the beach there are beautiful rock formations and eroded tunnels that you can walk along. If the time is very low, you can even get to Praia da Figueira .
4. Praia da Ingrina
Praia da Ingrina is one of my favorite small beaches in the Algarve. It is not even fifty meters wide, but you can snorkel very nicely here in the summer and in the hilly nature reserve towards the west we often go for walks with the dog.
There is a small restaurant (Sebastião) with a sea view where you can get an excellent lunch at a reasonable price.
Around the corner is Praia do Zavial , a popular surfing beach all year round.
5. Ceramica Paraiso
From Salema, head north until you reach the N125. Then follow this west and just past the traffic lights you will pass Ceramica Paraiso .
This obvious pottery shop is full of handmade plates, bowls, cups and decorations. A large part of our kitchen inventory comes from here!
Payment is only possible with cash, but recently there is an ATM in front of the entrance. They have arranged that cleverly. Souvenirs that you take with you on the plane are neatly wrapped for you.
6. Praia da Boca do Rio
East of Salema, after a fairly steep descent, lies the small Praia da Boca do Rio . This beach is located at the end of a river mouth and, apart from an old ruin and a parking lot, there are (fortunately) no buildings.
On the right side you walk up a footpath and from the top you have a beautiful view over the beach and the valley behind it where cows graze.
Salema top 3 activities
Salema, unlike Lagos or Portimão, is not a big hub for activities. But that is precisely the reason why many visitors come to this town. There are a few things to do in the area, but you will have to get in the car.
These are the top 4 activities to do in Salema :
1. Find wild dolphins with Salema Tours
Throughout most of the year, wild dolphins swim around the coast of the Algarve, which you can see live during a dolphin boat trip! See these majestic creatures in their natural habitat as they play, hunt or swim around at high speed.
Naturally, there is no guarantee you will see them as they are wild animals, but the experienced captain knows exactly where to look and therefor the chance is very high! Even if you don’t see them, it’s a great trip to see the rough coastline of the Algarve from the deck.
2. E-bike or Mountain Bike
In this rural part of the Algarve you can cycle nicely on the (un)paved paths that take you from beach to beach. One town back you can rent a (E-) mountain bike for a day, weekend or week in Luz at Algarvesportland .
The friendly owner will bring the bikes to your accommodation, so you don’t have to leave your car at the shop.
3. Snorkeling
Off the coast of Salema you can snorkel in the summer between the rocks and stones that have fallen into the water. Here live countless fish, starfish and even octopuses.
Bring a snorkel set from home in your suitcase or buy one at the supermarket.
Accommodation tips for Salema
On the west side of the beach, in the hills, you will find most of the holiday accommodations that can be found in this village. From B&Bs to small hotels. Since Salema is not a big village, the center & beach will always be within walking distance of your place of stay.
These are my 3 hotel tips for Salema:
1. NAU Salema Beach Village
The modern townhouses at NAU Salema Beach Village are ideal for families who want their own apartment with multiple bedrooms and a full kitchen. The beach is less than a fifteen-minute walk away, but you can also swim in one of the pools in the middle of the ‘village’. If you’re dreading the climb back, you can also hop in the ‘limo buggy’ that is available for you between 8:00 and midnight.
2. Romantik Villa
The charming studios and suites of Romantik Villa are located just 600 meters from the beach and provide all the comfort you could wish for during your stay. The friendly hosts provide a continental breakfast that is delivered to you daily. From your balcony or garden you have a beautiful view of the sea and if you want to cool off, you can do so in the swimming pool surrounded by beach chairs.
3. Salema Eco Camp
In the narrow valley behind the heart of Salema, the varied accommodations of Salema Eco Camp are hidden between the trees . At this super atmospheric glamping you can stay in a bungalow, mobile home, tent or apartment. This campsite is very popular with children and has its own lake, restaurant and shop. Although the walk to Salema has to go via a highway and therefore does not feel very safe, fortunately there is a shuttle at fixed times that takes you to and from the village. If you are in the mood for a rural glamping adventure, then you must try Salema Eco Camp!
Salema restaurant tips
Salema has an excellent selection of various restaurants with different types of cuisine. I myself can often be found in the sushi restaurant My Sushi for an evening of Japanese. But if you prefer to order a whole fish instead of a few slices, you can also go to one of the excellent fish restaurants that are located along the water.
These are my restaurant tips for Salema:
| Restaurant name | Review |
|---|---|
| MySushi Japanese | MySushi in Salema may not be the best sushi you will ever eat, but for €17.00 pp unlimited ordering you can’t really complain. Since I discovered it, I’ve been going there almost every three weeks. Write down the dishes you want on the notepad and the friendly staff will bring it to you. Besides sushi, they also have hot dishes such as curry, noodles, fried pieces of chicken/beef/pork and vegetarian options. In high season I recommend making a reservation a day in advance. |
| A Bóia Portuguese | An excellent fish restaurant located on the water with a cozy terrace is A Bóia . When you enter, look at the catch in the display case and share a larger fish together, for example. |
| Restaurante O Lourenço Portuguese | At O Lourenço you will find a wide range of fish and seafood dishes. From traditional cataplanas to sea bass. Booking in advance is a must. |
Affordable car rental in the Algarve
The best way to discover all the beauty in the Algarve is with a rental car. By renting a car for a few days you can much more easily reach the sights and activities that are not always accessible by public transport.
By renting a car from Luzcar, you are helping a local family business run by Portuguese entrepreneurs. This way you support the local economy and you also get top service, which is often a stark contrast to the large corporations. Luzcar is based in Lagos, but they also offer cars at the airport in Faro. This way you can pick up the car immediately upon arrival and return it at the airport upon departure.
Luzcar’s reputation speaks for itself. Almost 5 out of 5 on Google Maps.
Parking in Salema
During the day and around dinner time, Salema can get quite busy. Luckily, there are several parking lots where you can leave your car during your stay or visit to this village. All parking lots are free and you can find them here:
Photo Gallery from Salema
As a hobby photographer I love to go out with my cameras to shoot pictures of all the beauty that the Algarve has to offer. Check out some of my favorite pictures of Salema below:
More of our local tips for your Portugal adventure
⭐ Check out our favourite sights in the Algarve on this page
⛵ Check out this overview of all activities you can do in the Algarve
🚗 This is the best car rental company in the Algarve
📌 Discover the top towns and cities to visit in the Algarve here
🏖 These are our favourite beaches in the Algarve
🛎 Get inspired with our local tips for accommodations in the Algarve
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