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Barril Beach on the Ihle da Tavira
Barril beach or Praia do Barril is a beautiful beach on the Ilhe da Tavira, an island just off the coast in the Eastern Algarve.
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From the mainland it is a kilometre or so to the Ilhe da Tavira and the beach. To get there, you’ll have to walk across the narrow pontoon bridge and then you have a choice. You can either walk along the cement pathway or take the miniature open-sided train.
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The walk is a great way to enjoy the Ria Formosa Natural Park marshlands and the wildlife, with good views of the next village along the coast, Santa Luzia. However, the train is great fun (and significantly easier) if you have a young family in tow. It takes about 10 minutes trundling along at low speed and costs a Euro per person per one way trip.
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When you arrive at the destination, you’ll find a number of souvenir and beach shops, a bar and a couple of cafe/restaurants along with toilet facilities. It’s all very clean and ideal for families.
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You can reach Barril beach from here over one of the wooden slatted walkways. To the side of one of them are a large number of anchors half-buried in the sand. This is known as the ‘Cemetry of Anchors’ and are apparently from the Tuna fishing boats which used to land here. In fact where the shops and restaurants are was originally a small tuna fishing village.
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It is a great beach for kids with a gentle shelf into the sea and fantastic white sand. Barril beach is a Blue Flag beach. The sand stretches miles to both the east and west and you’ll find plenty of space, but if you’re lazy then you’ll have to fight with the rest of the crowds for a space at the entrance. If you like, there are sunbeds and shades for hire here.
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If you look to the east you can see all the way to Monte Gordo, near the border with Spain, and the triangular shaped Iberotel Praia Da Montegordo Hotel.
To the west of Barril beach is a nudist beach, so beware if you walk too far, although a couple of kilometres walk along the beach.
Perhaps too far to stumble upon if you're carrying your beach gear!
Barril beach - Getting there
Along the EN 125 east towards Tavira, a couple of kilometres beyond the village of Luz, take a right turn, which is signposted to Praia do Barril. Drive over the bridge and wind down the hill to the tourist complex of Pedras d’El Rei. There is a gravel car park here on the right before you reach the Ria do Formosa, or you can park along the road. However in season parking can be a bit of a nightmare. From there either a walk or the train will get you to the beach and bars.
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