Praia Grande de Pêra

Praia Grande de Pêra, also known as Alcantarilha e Pêra, is a sandy beach located in the Algarve region of Portugal, beyond the urban area of Armação de Pera. It is situated between the Ribeira de Alcantarilha to the west and the ecologically significant Lagoa dos Salgados to the east, both of which are known for their protected bird species. The beach is known for its tranquility, with a landscape of dunes and golden sands that stretch out to meet a calm, blue sea. This peaceful ambiance is due to its distance from the town, which makes it less crowded compared to the neighboring Praia de Armação de Pêra. Praia Grande de Pêra is also notable for its section dedicated to nudism, which is gay-friendly and attracts a mix of individuals from the LGBTQ+ community. The nudist beach starts near some rocks on the right side if you are coming from the parking area. Behind the beach, there is a cruising area in the dunes, although the low vegetation provides little cover. The beach is accessible either by a 20-minute walk from the town or by parking at the parking grande nascente and taking the wooden path down to the beach. There are also car parks available from which visitors must walk over the dunes to reach the beach. Despite its tranquility and natural beauty, Praia Grande de Pêra offers amenities such as sunbed and umbrella rentals, boat rentals, and refreshments available on either side of the beach. However, it has limited facilities, with no toilets along a 2km stretch and no off-season facilities. The beach is also known for its cleanliness, with bins located approximately every 50 meters. It is a popular spot for bird watching, particularly during the nesting season, and is known for its native plantings. Its sand dunes not only provide a unique landscape but also offer some cover. Despite these amenities, the beach retains a 'wild' character due to its large expanse of sand and exposed location.