10 beaches in Portugal: sun, sand and relaxation

June 22, 2023

Portugal is renowned for its magnificent beaches, which attract millions of visitors every year. With its extensive coastline, the country offers a variety of beaches to suit all tastes and preferences. Whether you’re looking for golden sandy beaches, steep cliffs or secluded coves, Portugal has something for every beach lover.

Whether you’re a fan of idleness, water sports or simply looking for a quiet getaway by the sea, Portugal’s beaches offer a variety of unforgettable experiences. With its sunny climate, clear waters and magnificent scenery, Portugal is one of Europe’s must-visit beach destinations.

There are so many beaches in Portugal that we couldn’t possibly list them all, but now that summer has arrived, I’ve decided to share a few of my “favorites” with you.

10 plages du Portugal: soleil, sable et détente

Some of the beaches in Portugal we’ll be talking about in this article

1. Praia do Moledo in Caminha – District of Viana Do Castelo

Portugal’sPraia do Moledo is an exceptional beach located in the country’s northern region, close to the charming town of Caminha. With its spectacular, unspoilt landscape, this beach is a true paradise for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

With its magnificent sand dunes, Praia do Moledo offers a picturesque setting with the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is renowned for its powerful waves, making it a popular surfing spot with surfers from all over the world. What’s more, the beach is equipped with good facilities, including beach bars and restaurants, to cater for the needs of visitors.

In addition to water activities, Praia do Moledo also offers superb hiking trails along the coast, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding area and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views.

Praia do Moledo is easily accessible by car, and parking spaces are available nearby. As a result, it is an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of relaxation, adventure and natural beauty during their stay in Portugal.

Praia do Moledo

2. Praia de São Jacinto – Aveiro District

Now let’s go down toAveiro and introduce you to São Jacinto beach. If you’re in the mood for wild scenery, this is the beach to go to. It gives you the impression of being alone at the end of the world

The beach is characterized not only by its miles of white sand, but also and above all by its magnificent dunes. However, the latter are “protected”, as they form part of the São Jacinto Dunes protected area

Please note that the easiest way to reach this beach from Aveiro is by ferry from Gafanha da Nazaré

Praia de São Jacinto

3. Praia do Osso da baleia – District of Leiria

A little further down the coast, south of Figueira da Foz and north of Leiria, you’ll findOsso de Baleia, a beach similar to that of São Jacinto. It’s a beach hidden by its many dunes, which resemble the Landes dunes in France. Numerous wooden walkways have been installed to facilitate access

The beach is distinguished by the presence of whale fossils in the sand. Indeed, the name “Osso da Baleia” literally means “whale bones” in Portuguese. Visitors can observe and collect fragments of fossilized prehistoric whale bones that have been deposited on the beach over the millennia. It’s a fascinating feature that makes the Praia do Osso da Baleia unique and attracts paleontology enthusiasts and the curious from all walks of life

Praia do Osso da Baleia

4. Praia da Nazaré – Leiria district

Nazaré beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. One of the reasons for its worldwide popularity is that many people go there to break a world record. That of the biggest wave surfed! The world record for the biggest wave surfed is held by German surfer Sebastian Steudtner. He surfed an incredible wave in Nazaré, Portugal, on January 29, 2020. The wave measured around 30.5 meters in height (around 100 feet), setting a new record. This daring performance was recognized by the World Surf League (WSL) at the Big Wave Awards

Don’t worry if you’re not a surfer. The ocean is not permanently agitated, and waves are concentrated at Praia do norte due to a geological phenomenon peculiar to this location

Finally, Nazaré beach has been a historic fishing port since the 17th century. Today, the fish – mostly sardines and cod – are left to dry on the beach

Fish drying on Nazaré beach.

5. Praia São Martinho do Porto – Leiria District

We continue our descent into Portugal to discover the beach of São Martinho do Porto. This beach is located 100 kilometers north of Lisbon and 13 kilometers south of Nazaré. In the past, the bay was used for shipbuilding, fishing and salt production. Today, it’s a popular spot for family tourism

In fact, the Portuguese call this beach “Praia das Crianças”(Children’s Beach), as it is said to be one of the safest beaches in Portugal. Thanks to its shell-like shape, the ocean is particularly calm, allowing children to splash about in peace and quiet

Praia São Martinho do Porto

6. Praia Ribeira do Cavalo in Sesimbra – Setubal District

After the Serra da Sintra, we now enter the Serra da Arrabida with the Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, some 50 minutes south of Lisbon, in Sesimbra. Its white sand, towering cliffs and turquoise waters make this beach sumptuous. The kind of beach where the “wahouuuu” effect is guaranteed

To reach the beach, take a steep 15-minute trail. Colored markings on the rocks show the way. Again, avoid flip-flops, as the path is not easy, but it’s worth it! You won’t be disappointed once you arrive in this paradise

Praia Ribeira do Cavalo

7. Praia dos Galapinhos – Setubal District (Serra da Arrábida)

We remain in the Serra da Arrábida, which stretches from Sesimbra to Setubal. The magnificent Serra da Arrábida offers what I consider to be some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal: white sandy beaches with crystal-clear water that could be likened to Thai beaches(although, of course, the water temperature is different). These beautiful beaches are part of the Serra de Arrábida nature reserve, a protected area since 1976, which explains their wild character. Most are coves: Galapos, Galapinhos, Coelhos, and the most famous, Portinho da Arrabida. Each is more beautiful than the next

Aerial view of the Serra da Arrábida

I’ve chosen to tell you about the dos Galapinhos beach, but its description is similar to that of its neighbors mentioned above. To reach it, you have to take a short, steep path through lush vegetation. The beach is protected by cliffs, so the water is fairly calm and the beach not very windy. It’s paradise on earth for snorkelers. The turquoise-blue water offers perfect conditions for exploring the underwater flora and fauna

Visitors have to follow a path through Mediterranean vegetation and down a few steps to reach the beach. Once there, however, they are rewarded by the unspoilt beauty of the beach and its crystal-clear waters. It’s advisable to arrive early to find a parking space nearby

Another ideal way to discover the beaches of the Serra da Arrábida is to rent a boat from Setubal or Sesimbra(I recommend Pierre Sousa of the À Vela Passeiosagency ) or rent a kayak from the Praia da Figueirinha or Portinho da Arrábida

8. Praia da Comporta – Setubal District

Staying south of Lisbon, we cross the Sado estuary and arrive at Troia. We descend a little further and are now in Comporta. Located some 100 km south of Lisbon and north of the Alentejo region, Comporta beach borders the Sado estuary nature reserve, a protected natural area. This beach offers stretches of white sand as far as the eye can see

You won’t find any big buildings or hotels here; the beach is lined with a few wooden cottages. Old fishermen’s cottages that have been renovated for those who want to awaken their inner Robinson Crusoe. The hinterland includes numerous rice fields. Rice cultivation has been active since 1925!

Praia Comporta

9. Praia da Bordeira – Aljezur – Faro district (Algarve)

We’re in one of the wildest corners of the Algarve, still on the Vicentina coast, between Aljezur and Sagres(yes, Sagres isn’t just a beer, it’s also a town!) and close to the village of Carrapateira. There are two beaches here: Carrapateira and Bordeira(named after the river that runs through it: the Bordeira River).

At low tide, Bordeira beach is one of the largest in the Algarve, and at high tide it forms small lagoons that are popular with children. But above all, it’s a favorite with surfers and kitesurfers, as it offers optimal conditions for the practice of these sports

Praia da Bordeira

10. Praia da Marinha – Lagoa – Faro district (Algarve)

Cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Praia de Marinha at Lagoa in the Algarve is magnificent. It’s often the photo of this beach that tour operators use to extol the virtues of the Algarve

The beauty of the Praia de Marinha is immediately apparent from the parking lot. The car park is located at the top of the beach’s cliffs, offering a magnificent panorama. In fact, even if you feel the urge to go down to the beach, I’d advise you to take some time to stroll along the cliffs. The views are magnificent

The beach has the fine golden sand that characterizes Algarve beaches. This sand blends perfectly with the magnificent orange cliffs, which have been eroded into distinctive shapes. This erosion causes the cliffs to retreat by 2mm to 2cm per year

Praia da Marinha (photo credit: comewithus.pt)

In conclusion

In conclusion, Portugal’s beaches are an ideal destination for lovers of sun, sea and spectacular natural scenery. From the wild coasts of the Algarve to the golden sands of the Alentejo, each beach offers its own unique beauty. Whether you want to relax, enjoy water sports or explore secluded coves, there’s something for everyone. Well-developed infrastructures and a warm welcome from the locals make Portugal a welcoming and attractive seaside destination. Portugal’s beaches promise unforgettable vacations, combining relaxation, adventure and the discovery of nature

And what about you? What are your favorite beaches in Portugal?