Portugal might have some gorgeous cities, however the seashores in Portugal are one thing else. Portugal’s seashores are famously dramatic, with delicate sand and shiny orange sea cliffs. Its Atlantic Ocean shoreline is stuffed with hidden coves and even secret cave seashores like Praia de Benagil – which is barely accessible by boat or kayak. Whether you have got three days on the Algarve or a five-day break in Sintra, you’ll need to go to no less than probably the most lovely Portugal seashores. Most motels in Portugal have an out of doors 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 among the finest seashores in Portugal? You don’t have to keep in the Algarve area both; this information will cowl one of the best of the nation’s seashores. We’ll present you seashores which can be unbelievable for water sports activities, discovering secret caves, and enjoyable on solar loungers with gorgeous 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 situated seashore is without doubt one of the prettiest spots for a seashore day. Praia da Marinha is situated on the backside of sea cliffs, accessible by way of 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 that you would be able to swim beneath. We had to add it to this record for its photogenic attraction 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 automotive park after which hike down the steps to attain the seashore. Alternatively, you may take a ship tour or hire a kayak from close by and make the journey by water.
2. Praia de São Jacinto
Many Portugal seashores have shiny golden sands, however Praia de São Jacinto breaks that mildew. This seashore has shiny 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 common amongst anybody who appreciates view, but in addition with native surfers. The waves are good 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 hire 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 may drive or catch a ferry – relying on whether or not you’re staying north or south of the seashore. There is ample avenue parking so that you just gained’t be caught for a parking spot. There are additionally loads of amenities, together with showers. Don’t overlook to carry a digicam, because the little colourful fishing boats left round are among the most photogenic spots in Portugal.
3. Praia da Costa Nova
Praia da Costa Nova is a shocking spot in Portugal, with an exquisite backdrop of colourful painted homes. It is without doubt one of the most characterful seashores in Portugal – particularly if you need a extra ‘beach town’ environment with cafes and unbiased retailers only a quick stroll away.
You can stroll alongside the delicate sands and admire the rows of purple, 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 simple 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 shocking inlet simply outdoors of Lisbon. Just checking the photographs, you’d be shocked to suppose such a picturesque, remote-seeming seashore may very well be only a 50-minute drive outdoors a significant metropolis middle. It is properly definitely worth the detour in case you are staying in or close by Lisbon.
The seashore has shiny 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 may stand up shut to the jagged rock formations and even enter some caves alongside the cliffs. Photographers particularly flock to snap photos by means of the caves and to body the jagged stacks. For golden sand, volcanic rocks, and loads of rock swimming pools, you actually can’t go improper with Praia da Adraga.
This seashore made it onto our record for its handy location and putting pure magnificence. It has a tough and adventurous environment 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 by way of water or by 200 chunky-cut picket steps. You’ll make the scenic climb down to the waterfront with gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean and burnt orange panorama.
Once you attain the seashore, you may entry two separate seashores divided by an thrilling tunnel by means of the cliff face. If you have got 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 well one in every of one of the best issues to do in Lagos, and it has a novelty attraction that draws crowds of fun-seeking vacationers.
How to get to the seashore: Camilo Beach is simply outdoors 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 attraction. Bring snacks, seashore towels, and umbrellas if you need 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 shiny white buildings and conventional terracotta-colored roofing. It is simply an hour and a half away from Lisbon by automotive, so a possible day journey for anybody wanting a extra spacious seashore possibility. Its main attracts are its spaciousness and easy accessibility to Nazare’s eating and social gathering scene.
How to get to the seashore: Walking to Nazare Beach from the city middle is a breeze, and every little thing is compact and across the middle. You can try the retailers, eating places, and cafes whereas having fun with lovely ocean views.
7. Praia de Tróia Mar
This putting 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 – supreme for peaceable wading and households with youthful youngsters. The delicate sands and coastal shrubs are a blissful place to spend a laidback afternoon.
The seashore’s serene location on the finish of a peninsula implies 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 street journey. The serene, wistful environment is unattainable not to love, and in case you keep wherever close to Lisbon, it’s properly 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 may also catch a ferry from Setubal in case you fancy a extra adventurous means of getting to this seashore vacation spot.
8. Praia da Rocha
A boardwalk backs Praia da Rocha, and in case you make it to the top of the hike, there’s an iconic purple 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 in case you like wandering between cafes and small retailers. 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 simple stroll from wherever in its middle. Or, in case you are staying close by, a simple drive alongside main coastal roads.
9. Praia da Falesia
Praia da Falesia is a superb seashore with nice appears. The seashore, well-known for its orange sea cliffs, is situated 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 components of the orange rock eroded and damaged down into nice powder so to see purple and orange coloring up to the water’s edge.
How to get to the seashore: You can rapidly drive to Praia da Falesia, and there’s a enormous automotive park for the excessive capability of holiday makers that this seashore attracts. It has a enjoyable, organized attraction with loads of solar loungers and amenities out there.
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 shiny 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 an exquisite place to go to to romanticize your life for a day. Praia Dona Ana is a enjoyable attraction in case you are staying in Lagos, and you’ll 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 sort out some severe stairs. Bring bottled water, because the chunky-cut picket stairs are fairly difficult, particularly in the noon warmth. However, you’ll sort out them in lower than 10 minutes, which is properly definitely worth the effort.
11. Praia da Bordeira
For surfers and wild seashore lovers, Praia da Bordeira is without doubt one of the best seashores in Portugal. Praia da Bordeira is ready in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, an exquisite 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 while 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 attraction.
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 hire a automotive and get exploring.
12. Praia dos Ingleses
Praia dos Ingleses is one in every of Portugal’s hottest seashores. And whereas it may not provide rolling dunes and white sands, it does have a superbly handy location as probably the most 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 supreme 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 group really feel and attracts equal components 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 automotive 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 powerful swimmer, you’ll need to admire the dolphins from the shore, although. The seashore is legendary as among the finest 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 finest accessed by automotive from Lisbon and takes round an hour to attain from town middle. If you keep domestically in Comporta, you may stroll to Comporta Beach. It is a day journey worthy and has a windswept and wistful attraction – 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 retailers and vacationer infrastructure. It is the kind of place you hope will probably be inside strolling distance of your resort. You can’t go improper for a simple, 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 popularity 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 environment.
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 facet observe, Monte de Santa Tecla is a superb place to go to after. The mountain has historical petroglyphs and a church that runs every day guided excursions. But even simply admiring it from Praia de Moledo is spectacular, and it offers an virtually volcanic setting that injects the seashore with tons extra character.
How to get to the seashore: Praia de Moledo is well reached by automotive from Moledo, a small city simply an hour’s drive north of Porto. This seashore is located proper on the Spanish border, and in case you are planning a cross-border street journey, it’s an absolute should.
16. Praia de Benagil
Benagil Beach is the postcard darling of one of the best seashores in Portugal. You enter by boat or kayak by means of a low opening in the cliff face, revealing an unlimited sea cave with limestone partitions stretching up and a single gap in the cave roof the place you may see a circle of blue sky and a beam of pure mild.
Benagil Beach is without doubt one of the nation’s most well-known ‘hidden’ coves and is world-renowned as probably the most lovely seashores you may ever go to. It is straightforward to see why. And you gained’t battle to set up a go to thanks to its reputation. Book a ship tour or hire a kayak and courageous the expertise your self.
Having an inventory of the prettiest seashores in Portugal with out mentioning Benagil is unattainable. This seashore is gorgeous, even whether it is tremendous common. Our recommendation? Visit in the off-season or, in the worst case state of affairs, shoulder season so the crowds don’t smash it.
17. Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara
Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is without doubt one of the finest seashores in Portugal. That is in case you are 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 airplane. Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is situated in Sao Miguel, one of many largest. This seashore has putting black sand and is without doubt one of the most dramatic seashores in Portugal. It is common 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 take a look at 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 in case you keep domestically and inside strolling distance of Santa Barbara village. Otherwise, you may rapidly 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 gorgeous Arrábida Natural Park close to the tiny city of Portinho da Arrábida. If you need pristine waters and 0 crowds, it’s the finest 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 properly value the additional effort. This seashore is a winner for an adventurous day trip, and go to Arrábida Natural Park.
How to get to the seashore: Praia de Alpertuche is finest accessed by automotive and foot for the ultimate mountain climbing path part. It is barely round an hour away from Lisbon, which is a stable 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 finest mild. Before you go to these high seashores in Portugal, although, try these high FAQs.
Which a part of Portugal has one of the best seashores?
The Algarve area is legendary for seashores and undeniably has among the most putting 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 shocking 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 may swim at lots of the Portugal seashores. Just look ahead to lifeguard towers and seashore flag methods, 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 gained’t battle to discover a golden sand seashore to relax on.
To Conclude
These finest seashores in Portugal are good for the seashore day of a lifetime. Portugal’s seashores are among the most lovely in the world, and also you’ll massively respect the putting 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 filled with guests and locals alike and have electrical vitality. Shoulder seasons like September and October are significantly better, providing excessive temperatures however fewer crowds in case you don’t need a social gathering 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 important coastal hotspots and resorts. A giant a part of contributing to sustainable tourism is actively dispersing the vacationer affect and investing in economies outdoors the ‘tourist areas’, a lot of that are solely profited by offshore corporations. Visit the smaller cities and villages, and search extra genuine experiences – you’ll depart a extra sustainable affect and get extra conventional, much less busy sights. It’s a win-win and particular meals for thought.