Have you ever had one of those “beauty slaps you in the eye before your brain reacts” moments? That's exactly how I felt the first time I stood at the edge of Praia do Camilo. The water was crystal clear, but the point is - it had layers. Not the all-blue kind, but like an unstirred cocktail, starting at the shore with a gentle milky green, then turning to emerald before the deep, almost blackening blue in the distance. And the sea is nestled between two maroon rocks that look like secret pools that are secretly hidden away, kind of shy but can't help but draw you closer. You know, some landscapes really don't need to be talked about too much, just one look will make you realize how to write the word “worth”.
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Portugal's Algarve coastline has nothing to lose, but Camilo Beach is the one that stands out for me. It's not one of those super long coastlines that you see all the way through and spread out, but rather one of those “hidden in the rocks, you don't find it until you get closer” types.
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The beach is a little small and a little “arbitrary”, you have to go down more than 200 steps to reach the sea, along the wooden stairs all the way down, the “into the secret world” atmosphere really pull full. And every few steps, you will see the sea from a different angle, photos simply can not take enough.
The rocks on both sides of the beach are not decorative, they are real natural backdrops - and many of them are cave-like, you can walk through the small holes to another beach at low tide, like playing “rock maze”. It's an experience you won't find at a regular beach.
Because of its secluded location, it's not as easy to find your own corner of the beach as the popular Praia Dona Ana, which is surrounded by tourists during the peak season, even though it can be crowded.
Don't just take pictures and leave. Camilo Beach may be small, but it offers a lot more than “just looking”.
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Angle: From the entrance, you can get a panoramic view of the beach without filters, and the light and colors look like they were tinted for a movie. The most recommended position is from the middle of the steps down to shoot, you can take the whole piece of rock + blue sea + sandy beach in one net.
Snorkeling recommended index of five stars: shallow water, high visibility, a lot of small fish hiding between the rocks, even if you just float on the water, you can see a colorful little world. Remember to bring your own snorkeling mask, as there are not many rental spots nearby.
Explore at low tide: remember to check the tide tables! At low tide, a small archway opens up on the right side of the rocky outcrop, so you can go through and explore another small stretch of beach. It's like discovering “secret base number two”, and the recommended time to do this is before 10 a.m. or in the evening when the tide is out.
Sunsets are not to be missed either: although this is not one of the beaches that face the sea on the west side, when the sun sets on the rocks, the whole beach is colored golden. If you have a drone, it's even more recommended to fly once, the images are simply stunning.
Location: Camilo Beach is located in the small town of Lagos in the south of Portugal, less than a 10-minute drive from the city center and about a 20-minute walk, making it very convenient.
Transportation & Parking:
There is a small parking lot near the entrance to the beach, but it is very difficult to get a spot during peak season;
It is recommended to arrive before 9am, or simply take an Uber from town;
There are a lot of people coming by foot, and the roadside views are nice to warm up on the way.
Neighborhood Amenities:
There is a restaurant with a view (O Camilo) above the stairway, first row of the ocean view, and the paella is especially recommended;
There are no stores on the beach, no umbrella rental or stalls, remember to bring your own water, sunscreen, picnic mats;
There are no public toilets nearby, there are restrooms in the restaurant but they are for customers only, so it is recommended to prepare in advance.
When is the best time to go?
Best Season: May to September
May is not too crowded and the waters begin to warm up;
July and August are the most popular, but also the sunniest, so we recommend avoiding midday;
Early September is the most popular time to go, as the water is still warm and the crowds are significantly less, which is my personal recommendation;
Winter is not recommended to go into the water, but suitable for watching the scenery and taking pictures.
Tips:
Steps are not friendly to the knees, remember to wear comfortable shoes;
Beach area is not large, high tide “land” will be eaten, come early is the king;
The edges of the rocks are slippery, so be careful not to lose your footing when taking photos;
Try to avoid the midday hours, strong ultraviolet rays, there is no place to hide.
If you just look at Camilo Beach from the photos, you may think that it seems similar to other beaches, but only when you walk down the stairs, step on the soft sand, and listen to the sound of the sea water crashing into the caverns, you will realize that this place is special! Just right. The first time I saw water like this was at Camelot Beach. Like me, you'll probably go from “come and see” to “don't want to leave”. Then you'll understand why I'm willing to write a whole article just for it.
