The ‘world’s best beach’ is just three hours from Britain – here’s how to make the most of it

“The best beach in the world is here,” screamed the local headlines in the Algarve recently as Tripadvisor announced the region’s Praia da Falésia as the winner of its Travellers’ Choice Award for the best stretch of sand on Earth.

It wasn’t the first time a beach in Portugal’s south has won global acclaim. A decade ago, The Huffington Post declared the shoreline of Ponta da Piedade, near Lagos – all soaring limestone cliffs, caves, grottoes and arches – the prettiest on the planet. In between, the Algarve has won countless other awards for its miles of golden sands, which deliver Caribbean-like conditions without leaving Europe.

But what made Praia de Falésia (Cliff Beach) the winner? One reason might be that it lies on the busiest part of the Algarve, meaning many more potential Tripadvisor reviewers are likely to frequent it over some of the tiny, hidden gems along the coast. But it is, nevertheless, an impressive beach.

Running almost five miles from Olhos de Água in the west to Vilamoura in the east, the sand is backed by red clay cliffs which rise 130 feet. Along the top of the cliffs are dotted green pines, and a walking trail – Estrada da Rocha Baixinha – is incredibly scenic. What Praia da Falésia stands out for though, is its colours. The red cliffs, which cannot be found elsewhere in the Algarve, the green pines, the (normally) blue sky, the golden sands, the azure ocean… The best time to admire these hues is at sunset, as the colours change.

There are several hotels on the cliff tops with gardens that run down to the edge. They include PortoBay Falésia, whose manager Fernando Reis Filipe grew up on this coast. “It is the perfect beach for non-swimmers and children,” he told me. “There are no rocks underfoot, just sand.”

Pine Cliffs, a little further along, not only has a bar perched on the edge to watch the sunset but also a restaurant on the beach itself. Maré is accessed by a long wooden staircase that winds down between the rocks. At the end you will be rewarded with a feast of Portuguese seafood from barnacles to oysters, fried cuttlefish to octopus.

Neither Maré nor O Golfinho, a nearby restaurant, which serves the much-loved clams with coriander and the traditional Algarvian cataplana, have seen an increase in customers due to the Tripadvisor award. As Rui Ribeiro, the manager of O Golfinho told me: “Ask me again after the summer but we have only just opened for the season and at the moment we have the same number of people as normal.”

Beach-goers looking for action should head to the Nautic Drive water sports centre on Praia dos Tomates, which opens in April each year. There you can rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, banana boats and jet skis. There are also tours which take you dolphin spotting or into the caves along the coast.

Lastly, those who want to dance with their feet in the sand by the light of the moon will find joy at NoSoloÁgua on Praia da Rocha Baixinha. Famous for its sunset parties, with top DJs, it also serves great sushi and cocktails. What better way to celebrate being on what is now – officially – the world’s best beach.

Three more cracking Algarve beaches

Praia da Marinha: the most beautiful

Home to a magnificent double arch which stands in the crystal-clear waters and curves around towards the beach, you will probably have seen this one on postcards. Its arches and jutting rocks and pillars have been sculpted by the erosion of the sea and wind over the centuries. Because its waters are so clear, this is a great place for snorkelling.

Praia dos Carneiros: with the best restaurant

I love this beach for its restaurant (Restaurante Rei das Praias), which is our go-to for family celebrations. Unlike so many beach restaurants here, the waiters do the work for you and fillet the fish. Order a sea bass or some local scarlet prawns and enjoy the view out onto the imposing solitary rock in the bay, known as Seagull’s Leap.

Praia de Albandeira: a hidden gem

It is lucky that no-one really knows about this beach, as it is tiny. There is no lifeguard here, but its clear waters, semi-protected by the cliffs, are good for swimming and children will love the little rock pools on the beach.