Barril Beach

I have been on a lot of trains in my life, but never a miniature one that goes over a small pontoon bridge through the Ria Formosa and then to the beach. It’s a short and fun trip and if you’re staying at Pedras D’el Rei it’s for free! If you want to walk, it’s about 15-20min from the bridge to the beach.

The train stops at what was once a tuna station and all of its buildings have been converted into cafes, restaurants, toilet and other tourist facilities. A great sight are the numerous huge iron anchors – called the anchor cemetery – which are a remainder of the tuna fishing boats that used to land here.

Praia do Barril / Barril Beach is one of the calmest beaches on the Algarve’s south coast and holds a blue flag. There are sunbeds and shades for hire. If you arrive at the beach, turn right and keep walking for a couple of kilometres you will find the only official nudist beach in the Eastern Algarve.

A picture is worth a thousand words so here’s a little photo story: