View source for Praia de São Rafael

{{Short description|Beach in Portugal}}
{{Infobox landform
| name              = Praia de São Rafael
| other_name        =
| photo             = 132PT 13 November 2013 Praia de São rafael.JPG
| photo_width       =
| photo_alt         =
| photo_caption     = Praia de São Rafael
| map               = Portugal
| map_width         = 200px
| map_caption       = Location of Praia de São Rafael
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| marker_size       =
| location          = [[Albufeira Municipality|Albufeira]], [[Algarve]], [[Portugal]]
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| grid_ref_UK       =
| grid_ref_Ireland  =
| coordinates       = {{coord|37|4|29.03|N|8|16|53.41|W|display=inline,title}}
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| type              = Beach
| free_label_1      = Patrolled by
| free_data_1       =
| free_label_2      = Hazard rating
| free_data_2       =
| free_label_3      = Access
| free_data_3       =
| embedded          = {{succession links|left=|right=}}
}}
''' Praia de São Rafael''' is a beach on the [[Atlantic]] south [[coast]] of the [[Algarve]], close to the village resort of Sesmarias which is within the Municipality of [[Albufeira Municipality|Albufeira]], [[Portugal]].<ref name="srok1">Portuguese civilian survey: Sheet 52B Albufeira. Publishers: Instituto Geográfico Português (Portugal Civilian Survey). Scale:1:50,000. {{ISBN|972-8867-11-5}}</ref> This beach is located {{convert|2.5|mi|km}} by road to the west of Albufeira old town centre and is {{convert|29.7|mi|km}} west of the regions capital of [[Faro, Portugal|Faro]].<ref name="srok2">"Spain & Portugal 2012, Tourist and Motoring Atlas. Pub:Michelin, 2011, {{ISBN|978 2067174153}}</ref><ref name=TOUR>{{cite web|title=Tours around the Algarve – ROTAS.|url=http://www.carvoeiro.com/pdf/ToursAroundTheAlgarve.pdf|work=page 67(Page 34 in PDF format), references to beaches between Albufeira and gale|publisher=Turismo de Portugal-Algarve|accessdate =21 November 2013}}</ref> This beach is one of sixty nine<ref name=RAFRET>{{cite web|title= General information for the Algarve, Portugal – Blue Flag Beaches|url=http://www.algarve-retreats.co.uk/sub_page.cfm/title/Blue%20Flag%20beaches%20in%20the%20Algarve/section/services/editID/504|work=Information of details and number of blue flag beaches in the Algarve|publisher=Algarve Retreats – The Algarve Specialists|accessdate =21 November 2013}}</ref> blue flag beaches<ref name=RAFAEL>{{cite web|title= Praia de São Rafael |url=http://www.blueflag.org/menu/awarded-sites/2012/northern-hemisphere/portugal/algarve/srafael|work=Blue Flag listing for Praia de São Rafael – Blue Flag website|publisher= The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) ©2013 All Rights Reserved|accessdate =21 November 2013}}</ref> (2012) in the Algarve and is accredited with good facilities for the disabled.
== Description ==
This small beach has fine gold sand and crystal clear water and is backed by golden limestone cliffs. On the beach itself there are many limestone rock formations<ref name=AAGUIDE>AA Algarve – Spiral Guide.Author: Murphy, paul. Publisher:AA Publishing, 2003 edition. Work: Page 82, Six of the Best beaches around Albufeira. {{ISBN|0 7495 3209 2}}</ref> which have been eroded over a long period of time to form interesting formations and shapes many of which have names such as ''Ninho das Andorinhas'' or the ''Swallow’s Nest'' and ''Ponte Pequena'' or the ''Small Bridge''.<ref name=SAORAF>{{cite web|title= Praia de São Rafael|url=http://www.top10portugal.com/praia-sao-rafael-beach-albufeira|work=Details and information about the beach|publisher=Copyright © 2013 Top 10 Portugal - Best of Portugal.|accessdate =21 November 2013}}</ref> The main beach can get very crowded during the peak summer period but there are some quieter spots around the beach amongst the rock formations a short distance from the main sandy areas. The beach has good facilities with toilets and public showers. During the summer season the beach is patrolled by [[lifeguards]]. There are Loungers, [[parasols]] and [[Pedalo|Pedalo's]] which can be hired. The beach has good access for the disabled having [[boardwalk]]s and paved slopes running down to the beach from the car park to the rear of the beach.
=== Car Park ===
To the back of the beach there is a car park of which some places there are allocated parking bays for disabled drivers displaying a [[Disabled parking permit|European blue badge]]. Parking can prove very difficult during the busy summer months as numbers are restricted so as not to weaken the cliffs.<ref name=SAORAF/> From the car park there are paths and [[boardwalk]] down to, and along the beach which provides easy access for wheelchair users.
== Gallery ==
<gallery caption=" Praia de São Rafael" perrow="4">
File:134PT 13 November 2013 Praia de São rafael .JPG|Beach and the Bar - restaurant on the right of the photograph.
File:135PT 13 November 2013 Praia de São rafael .JPG|Board walk around the restaurant
File:13 November 2013-Access Slope to Praia de São rafael.JPG|The access slope down to the beach.
</gallery>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Beaches of the Algarve}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rafael, Praia da Sao}}
[[Category:Beaches of Albufeira]]
[[Category:Blue Flag beaches of Portugal]]