Portugal could have some beautiful cities, however the seashores in Portugal are one thing else. Portugal’s seashores are famously dramatic, with mushy sand and brilliant orange sea cliffs. Its Atlantic Ocean shoreline is filled with hidden coves and even secret cave seashores like Praia de Benagil – which is barely accessible by boat or kayak. Whether you could have three days on the Algarve or a five-day break in Sintra, you’ll need to go to at the least one of the lovely Portugal seashores. Most lodges in Portugal have an outside swimming pool, however nothing beats the sensation of sand underfoot and salty waves. It’s official; Portugal seashores are a necessity.
18 Best Portugal Beaches
Are you prepared to get impressed by a few of the greatest seashores in Portugal? You don’t have to keep in the Algarve area both; this information will cowl the most effective of the nation’s seashores. We’ll present you seashores which are unbelievable for water sports activities, discovering secret caves, and stress-free on solar loungers with beautiful sea cliff views.
1. Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is without doubt one of the most well-known sights for anybody staying close to Benagil, aside from Praia de Benagil itself. If you’ve already visited the Insta-famous sea caves, this dramatically positioned seashore is without doubt one of the prettiest spots for a seashore day. Praia da Marinha is positioned on the backside of sea cliffs, accessible through a flight of extraordinarily steep picket stairs or by boat or kayak – the selection is yours. It is an adventurous seashore to attain.
And that is all a part of the attract. It additionally has some eye-catching pure rock formations, together with offshore stacks and a spectacular nature arch which you could swim beneath. We had to add it to this checklist for its photogenic enchantment and quirky entry routes.
How to get to the seashore: To attain Praia da Marinha, you park up alongside Estr. Da Marinha in the designated automobile park after which hike down the steps to attain the seashore. Alternatively, you’ll be able to take a ship tour or lease a kayak from close by and make the journey by water.
2. Praia de São Jacinto
Many Portugal seashores have brilliant golden sands, however Praia de São Jacinto breaks that mould. This seashore has brilliant white sands, stretching for miles as a part of the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve, basically simply paradise on Earth. The seashore has a windswept aesthetic with a backdrop of alternating pine forests and marshes; it’s breathtaking, and we couldn’t resist including it to this information.
It is well-liked amongst anybody who appreciates a great view, but additionally with native surfers. The waves are excellent for water sports activities, and whereas it’s too quiet to host common surf faculties, it is a perfect spot for skilled surfers visiting Portugal. Just lease a board close by and head to this spot for the last word browsing seashore day.
How to get to the seashore: To attain this seashore, you’ll be able to drive or catch a ferry – relying on whether or not you’re staying north or south of the seashore. There is considerable road parking so that you just received’t be caught for a parking spot. There are additionally loads of amenities, together with showers. Don’t neglect to convey a digicam, because the little colourful fishing boats left round are a few of the most photogenic spots in Portugal.
3. Praia da Costa Nova
Praia da Costa Nova is a surprising spot in Portugal, with a lovely backdrop of colourful painted homes. It is without doubt one of the most characterful seashores in Portugal – particularly in order for you a extra ‘beach town’ ambiance with cafes and impartial outlets only a brief stroll away.
You can stroll alongside the mushy sands and admire the rows of crimson, yellow, blue, and greenhouses. It has a a lot prettier setting than different seashores in city areas and a cutesy vibe with a photogenic aesthetic. Take benefit of the city setting to strive recent fish and regional seafood dishes; there’s even a marina with native fishermen taking common journeys to catch hauls for the city’s eating places and cafes.
How to get to the seashore: Praia da Costa Nova is roughly an hour’s drive south of Porto, so a straightforward day journey to add to a metropolis break. After all, everybody appreciates a seashore day after back-to-back sightseeing days.
4. Praia da Adraga
Praia da Adraga is a surprising inlet simply exterior of Lisbon. Just checking the images, you’d be shocked to assume such a picturesque, remote-seeming seashore could possibly be only a 50-minute drive exterior a serious metropolis middle. It is nicely definitely worth the detour if you’re staying in or close by Lisbon.
The seashore has brilliant blue waters and intensely golden sands damaged up by irregular and dramatic stacks that stick up like black shards of glass. And at low tide, you’ll be able to rise up shut to the jagged rock formations and even enter some caves alongside the cliffs. Photographers particularly flock to snap footage via the caves and to body the jagged stacks. For golden sand, volcanic rocks, and loads of rock swimming pools, you actually can’t go incorrect with Praia da Adraga.
This seashore made it onto our checklist for its handy location and hanging pure magnificence. It has a tough and adventurous ambiance that makes it one of many extra thrilling seashores in Portugal. Don’t anticipate to swim – the waters are usually too uneven.
5. Camilo Beach
One factor is for positive; you’ll get your steps in with a go to to Camilo Beach. This spot is barely accessible through water or by 200 chunky-cut picket steps. You’ll make the scenic climb down to the waterfront with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and burnt orange panorama.
Once you attain the seashore, you’ll be able to entry two separate seashores divided by an thrilling tunnel via the cliff face. If you could have youngsters, this is without doubt one of the most enjoyable seashores to go to in Portugal, as there’s an actual sense of magic with the tunnel to a brand new seashore. Visiting is definitely one in every of the most effective issues to do in Lagos, and it has a novelty enchantment that draws crowds of fun-seeking vacationers.
How to get to the seashore: Camilo Beach is simply exterior Lagos’ middle, accessible on foot inside a 30-minute stroll. Despite its proximity to such a central vacationer spot, amenities are virtually non-existent, so Camilo Beach has a wild enchantment. Bring snacks, seashore towels, and umbrellas in order for you assured shade.
6. Praia da Nazaré
Nazare Beach is 1.5km lengthy, with expansive sands and loads of room to sunbathe away from different vacationers – irrespective of the season. It is the one seashore close to Nazare appropriate for swimming, because it’s barely sheltered from the stronger waves, in contrast to the close by Praia do Norte.
You can paddle, sunbathe on the sand, and benefit from the close by bar and restaurant scene. Nazare is a candy little city with brilliant white buildings and conventional terracotta-colored roofing. It is simply an hour and a half away from Lisbon by automobile, so a possible day journey for anybody wanting a extra spacious seashore choice. Its main attracts are its spaciousness and easy accessibility to Nazare’s eating and occasion scene.
How to get to the seashore: Walking to Nazare Beach from the city middle is a breeze, and all the things is compact and across the middle. You can try the outlets, eating places, and cafes whereas having fun with lovely ocean views.
7. Praia de Tróia Mar
This hanging peninsula is the most suitable choice for anybody wanting a wow issue. Praia de Tróia Mar has white sand stretching onto the horizon with electrical blue waters that taper off in shallow waters – ultimate for peaceable wading and households with youthful youngsters. The mushy sands and coastal shrubs are a blissful place to spend a laidback afternoon.
The seashore’s serene location on the finish of a peninsula signifies that you don’t get many vacationers, solely these folks venturing to the top to see the seashore. It is a wild seashore, and getting there’s an adventurous highway journey. The serene, wistful ambiance is not possible not to love, and when you keep wherever close to Lisbon, it’s nicely value visiting.
How to get to the seashore: To attain this seashore, you drive previous Comporta and to the top of the N253-1. You also can catch a ferry from Setubal when you fancy a extra adventurous manner of getting to this seashore vacation spot.
8. Praia da Rocha
A boardwalk backs Praia da Rocha, and when you make it to the top of the hike, there’s an iconic crimson and white lighthouse. The huge golden sands are spacious sufficient to keep away from being close to different vacationers, and it has all of the house to have a secluded bay expertise, regardless of being backed by the vacationer city of Praia da Rocha.
That house and the boardwalk hike are the primary issues that caught our consideration, however its sleepy vacationer city location can also be a plus when you like wandering between cafes and small outlets. All in all, for traditional seashore views and an energetic seashore journey, this golden seashore is ideal.
How to get to the seashore: To get to this seashore from its same-named city is a straightforward stroll from wherever in its middle. Or, if you’re staying close by, a straightforward drive alongside main coastal roads.
9. Praia da Falesia
Praia da Falesia is a superb seashore with nice seems. The seashore, well-known for its orange sea cliffs, is positioned in Albufeira and is the proper getaway for a day on solar loungers or indulging in watersports. There’s additionally a restaurant and bar, as a result of what extra may you need? The sandstone cliffs are its foremost sights, with elements of the orange rock eroded and damaged down into fantastic powder so to see crimson and orange coloring up to the water’s edge.
How to get to the seashore: You can shortly drive to Praia da Falesia, and there’s a enormous automobile park for the excessive capability of holiday makers that this seashore attracts. It has a enjoyable, organized enchantment with loads of solar loungers and amenities accessible.
10. Praia Dona Ana
Praia Dona Ana is a well-liked little cove proper subsequent to Lagos, inside strolling distance of its middle. The water is so brilliant it seems virtually inexperienced in sections, and dramatic sea stacks shelter the seashore from harsher winds and currents. It has a tucked-away really feel and is a lovely place to go to to romanticize your life for a day. Praia Dona Ana is a enjoyable attraction if you’re staying in Lagos, and you may spend a day on the seashore earlier than heading up to get pleasure from a sundown dinner on the seafood bar that overlooks it.
How to get to the seashore: To get to Praia Dona Ana, you’ll deal with some severe stairs. Bring bottled water, because the chunky-cut picket stairs are fairly difficult, particularly in the noon warmth. However, you’ll deal with them in lower than 10 minutes, which is nicely definitely worth the effort.
11. Praia da Bordeira
For surfers and wild seashore lovers, Praia da Bordeira is without doubt one of the perfect seashores in Portugal. Praia da Bordeira is about in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, a lovely coastal protect with raptors and sea otters amongst its cliffside fauna. You can drive down to Praia da Bordeira for spacious sands and elegant surf if you aren’t recognizing raptors and sea otters. Rolling dunes and rocky cliffs again the seashore and has a rural, remoted really feel that provides to its enchantment.
How to get to the seashore: To attain Praia da Bordeira, drive from Lagos or any little village above the Algarve area. It is well-located for a day journey, so lease a automobile and get exploring.
12. Praia dos Ingleses
Praia dos Ingleses is one in every of Portugal’s hottest seashores. And whereas it won’t supply rolling dunes and white sands, it does have a wonderfully handy location as one of the accessible seashores in Porto. It is a dream escape from inner-city life. The golden sand and seashore bar are a scrumptious mixture too, and it’s the ultimate place to spend a day after just a few days of Porto sightseeing.
Praia dos Ingleses is at all times a hub of exercise, whether or not you’re stopping by for sundown or having a fast morning stroll. It has a neighborhood really feel and attracts equal elements of residents because it does vacationers, even in peak seasons, which is a pleasant contact.
How to get to the seashore: You can attain Praia dos Ingleses in an hour by foot, 40 minutes by public transport, or quarter-hour by automobile from Porto metropolis middle
13. Comporta Beach
Comporta Beach is a part of a peninsula that juts out beneath Lisbon and has a few of Portugal’s prettiest seashores. The white sand and infinite stretching sands make Comporta Beach just about irresistible. And as if it may get much more romantic, common dolphin guests come to frolic in the shallow waters.
If you aren’t a robust swimmer, you’ll need to admire the dolphins from the shore, although. The seashore is legendary as the most effective of Portugal’s seashores for kitesurfers and water sports activities lovers. But its uneven waters and no lifeguard standing make it extra of a paddle and sit-and-sunbathe seashore if not.
How to get to the seashore: The seashore is greatest accessed by automobile from Lisbon and takes round an hour to attain from town middle. If you keep regionally in Comporta, you’ll be able to stroll to Comporta Beach. It is a day journey worthy and has a windswept and wistful enchantment – a romantic addition to your Portugal itinerary.
14. Carcavelos Beach
Carcavelos Beach, aka Praia de Carcavelos, is your typical happy-go-lucky vacation seashore. This spot has golden sands, browsing waves, and a promenade stuffed with cute outlets and vacationer infrastructure. It is the type of place you hope might be inside strolling distance of your resort. You can’t go incorrect for a straightforward, hassle-free seashore expertise.
Walking alongside from Praia de Carcavelos, you’ll discover Forte de Sao Juliao da Barra, a Sixteenth-century seaside fort and one in every of Portugal’s topmost historic fortresses. So whereas Carcavelos has a fame for being a sleepy seashore day city, it has fairly a little bit of oomph with its sights.
How to get to the seashore: Carcavelos is the tiny parish the place you’ll discover the seashore and is a bit of vacationer hotspot that merges virtually seamlessly into different close by villages. It has a definite fishing tradition and an ever-growing vacationer ambiance.
15. Praia de Moledo
If you need an undeniably lovely white sand seashore, Praia de Moledo is your one. The view alongside Praia de Moledo is attractive, with white sand stretching out and the inexperienced peak of Monte de Santa Tecla mountain protruding like a cone from throughout the estuary.
As a aspect word, Monte de Santa Tecla is a superb place to go to after. The mountain has historic petroglyphs and a church that runs each day guided excursions. But even simply admiring it from Praia de Moledo is spectacular, and it supplies an virtually volcanic setting that injects the seashore with tons extra character.
How to get to the seashore: Praia de Moledo is definitely reached by automobile from Moledo, a small city simply an hour’s drive north of Porto. This seashore is located proper on the Spanish border, and if you’re planning a cross-border highway journey, it’s an absolute should.
16. Praia de Benagil
Benagil Beach is the postcard darling of the most effective seashores in Portugal. You enter by boat or kayak via a low opening in the cliff face, revealing an enormous sea cave with limestone partitions stretching up and a single gap in the cave roof the place you’ll be able to see a circle of blue sky and a beam of pure gentle.
Benagil Beach is without doubt one of the nation’s most well-known ‘hidden’ coves and is world-renowned as one of the lovely seashores you’ll be able to ever go to. It is straightforward to see why. And you received’t wrestle to manage a go to thanks to its recognition. Book a ship tour or lease a kayak and courageous the expertise your self.
Having a listing of the prettiest seashores in Portugal with out mentioning Benagil is not possible. This seashore is beautiful, even whether it is tremendous well-liked. Our recommendation? Visit in the off-season or, in the worst case situation, shoulder season so the crowds don’t spoil it.
17. Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara
Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is without doubt one of the greatest seashores in Portugal. That is if you’re keen to enterprise out from the usual southern Portugal holidays and out to the Portuguese islands off the shoreline and in the huge Atlantic Ocean. These tiny Azores islands are scattered close to one another and are accessible by boat or aircraft. Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is positioned in Sao Miguel, one of many largest. This seashore has hanging black sand and is without doubt one of the most dramatic seashores in Portugal. It is well-liked for surfers, however watch out because it often has Portuguese Man of War jellyfish – famously painful and toxic. You can stroll alongside the sands and check out to spot them or get pleasure from sunbathing with the novelty of a black sand seashore.
How to get to the seashore: Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is straightforward to attain when you keep regionally and inside strolling distance of Santa Barbara village. Otherwise, you’ll be able to shortly drive round Sao Miguel island.
18. Praia de Alpertuche
Praia de Alpertuche is a sandy seashore solely accessible by a scenic mountain climbing path and located in the beautiful Arrábida Natural Park close to the tiny city of Portinho da Arrábida. If you need pristine waters and nil crowds, it’s the greatest seashore in the area – this spot is critically off-the-beaten-track. Its tiny structure is the proper slice of quiet pure magnificence, and the golden sand is typical of Portugal’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Bring your seashore gear and refreshments, as amenities are non-existent. But the agricultural attract is nicely value the additional effort. This seashore is a winner for an adventurous time out, and go to Arrábida Natural Park.
How to get to the seashore: Praia de Alpertuche is greatest accessed by automobile and foot for the ultimate mountain climbing path part. It is barely round an hour away from Lisbon, which is a strong plus.
Best Beaches in Portugal: FAQs
These attractive seashores are all unbelievable in their particular person methods. In the hotter summer season months, you’ll see these lovely seashores in their greatest gentle. Before you go to these high seashores in Portugal, although, try these high FAQs.
Which a part of Portugal has the most effective seashores?
The Algarve area is legendary for seashores and undeniably has a few of the most hanging seashores in Portugal – regardless of the crowds in summer season months. The Algarve is the place you’ll discover cave seashores and reddest sea cliffs.
Where is the prettiest seashore in Portugal?
Praia de Benagil is a surprising seashore hidden beneath a cavern on the Algarve. It is extensively referred to as one of many prettiest seashores in Portugal.
Can I swim on Portugal seashores?
Yes, you’ll be able to swim at most of the Portugal seashores. Just look ahead to lifeguard towers and seashore flag techniques, and keep away from swimming on the browsing seashores the place waves are usually too tough for swimmers.
Where are the sandy seashores in Portugal?
There are sandy seashores throughout Portugal, particularly in the Algarve area. You received’t wrestle to discover a golden sand seashore to sit back on.
To Conclude
These greatest seashores in Portugal are excellent for the seashore day of a lifetime. Portugal’s seashores are a few of the most lovely in the world, and also you’ll massively respect the hanging views and distinctive settings – particularly with its cave seashores. It is value noting how the time of yr impacts your seashore expertise in Portugal. In the summer season months, most seashores get full of guests and locals alike and have electrical vitality. Shoulder seasons like September and October are a lot better, providing excessive temperatures however fewer crowds when you don’t need a occasion vibe.
Make positive to strive some conventional Portuguese meals in between seashore hopping. And bear in mind to discover some barely extra inland villages and cities like Obidos or Sao Miguel moderately than simply sticking to vital coastal hotspots and resorts. A giant a part of contributing to sustainable tourism is actively dispersing the vacationer influence and investing in economies exterior the ‘tourist areas’, lots of that are solely profited by offshore corporations. Visit the smaller cities and villages, and search extra genuine experiences – you’ll go away a extra sustainable influence and get extra conventional, much less busy sights. It’s a win-win and particular meals for thought.