Praia de Salema

Praia de Salema is where prehistoric history meets traditional Portuguese charm—a stunning 1.1-kilometer beach set against golden limestone cliffs that contain genuine dinosaur footprints from 150 million years ago. The fishing village of Salema remains one of the Algarve's last authentic coastal communities, largely untouched by mass tourism. Travel expert Rick Steves has famously called Salema 'one of the last true villages on the Algarve' and describes it as possibly 'Europe's most enjoyable beach.' His enthusiasm is well-founded: the village retains a laid-back, slightly bohemian atmosphere, with traditional fishing boats still pulled up on the sand and local fishermen mending nets in the same way their grandfathers did. The dinosaur footprints were officially discovered by geologists from the University of Lisbon in 2001, though locals had known about them for generations. To find them, head to the western end of the beach (right side facing the sea) at low tide. Near the base of the cliff staircase, you'll see a limestone slab with several three-toed footprints from a large ornithopod—a bipedal herbivore that roamed here during the Early Cretaceous period. Beyond its prehistoric attractions, Salema offers excellent swimming conditions with calm, clear water and Blue Flag certification. The beach is family-friendly with lifeguards in summer, and the eastern end always offers more seclusion. The village itself provides everything you need: traditional restaurants serving fresh-caught fish, small grocery shops, and a wonderfully slow pace of life.