Galé

Galé is an area on the western coast of the Albufeira municipality, centred on Praia da Galé. The beach has two parts separated by a cliff: the eastern side is enclosed by rocky cliffs, while the western side opens into a long, sandy stretch backed by dunes that continues to Praia dos Salgados.

Behind the dunes lies the Salgados lagoon, a coastal wetland with boardwalks that attracts birdwatchers. The area is mostly holiday homes and apartments rather than a traditional village, and it tends to draw Portuguese families as well as overseas visitors. A local story says the name comes from a galley wrecked on the beach.