Praia da Rocha - has anyone been?

[Solicitor123]

If so, what is it like? I am a massive beach lover and all of the photographs look amazing. We also want a nice town with lots of authentic restaurants and bars. Am I on the right lines with Praia da Rocha or would somewhere else in the Algarve suit us better?

Praia da Rocha is the purpose built beach resort of Portimao. It's okay but if you want something more authentic you should go a couple of miles west to Alvor. That's much nicer and more "real".

Nice place but more restaurants in Alvor. Alvor has some hideous high rise apartment blocks but please don’t be put off by this.

Thirding Alvor.
Beach is amazing..

I recommend Lagos. Very authentic Portuguese town and fantastic beach.

Sounds familiar? Is that where Madeleine McCann went missing?

@Libertybear80

Sounds familiar? Is that where Madeleine McCann went missing?

No, Praia da Luz.

@AnyFucker

I recommend Lagos. Very authentic Portuguese town and fantastic beach.

Seconding Lagos.

I'd also recommend Lagos. It's not as touristy (v few high rise) but lots of restaurants , shops , marina etc. Meia Praia is the big beach - around 5km long but there are also smaller beaches .( You may have seen Camilo on a windows generic screen saver!). And de Mos is on the south side which is also a nice beach. If you hire a car you could always visit Portimao/Praia de Rocha for a day or go on the train from Lagos. It's about 45 min drive.

Ferragudo is lovely as is Portimao and Alvor. Also Lagos. We've pretty much grown up over there. Beaches are spectacular. There's a lovely walk from Vau to Praia da Rocha when the tide is out. We like Praia da Rocha as there's loads to do there. We stay at an inland complex of villas and apartments called Oasis parque which has an indoor heated pool as well as outdoor pools, tennis courts etc. Then hire a car and bob about. It's a gorgeous coastline for beaches. Prainha on Alvor beach is another gorgeous complex. Praia tres Irmaos is where I want my ashes scattered. My happy place. There's a beach bar called Canico built into the rocks. Spent so many happy times there.