Portugal might have some stunning cities, however the seashores in Portugal are one thing else. Portugal’s seashores are famously dramatic, with smooth sand and brilliant orange sea cliffs. Its Atlantic Ocean shoreline is stuffed with hidden coves and even secret cave seashores like Praia de Benagil – which is just accessible by boat or kayak. Whether or not you will have three days on the Algarve or a five-day break in Sintra, you’ll wish to go to no less than some of the stunning Portugal seashores. Most accommodations 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 Finest Portugal Seashores
Are you able to get impressed by a number of the finest seashores in Portugal? You don’t have to remain within the Algarve area both; this information will cowl the most effective of the nation’s seashores. We’ll present you seashores which are unimaginable 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 among the most well-known sights for anybody staying close to Benagil, other than Praia de Benagil itself. If you happen to’ve already visited the Insta-famous sea caves, this dramatically positioned seashore is among the prettiest spots for a seashore day. Praia da Marinha is positioned 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’s an adventurous seashore to succeed in.
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 you could swim beneath. We had so as to add it to this listing for its photogenic enchantment and quirky entry routes.
Find out how to get to the seashore: To succeed in Praia da Marinha, you park up alongside Estr. Da Marinha within the designated automobile park after which hike down the steps to succeed in the seashore. Alternatively, you’ll be able to 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 brilliant golden sands, however Praia de São Jacinto breaks that mildew. This seashore has brilliant white sands, stretching for miles as a part of the São Jacinto Dunes Pure Reserve, primarily 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’s fashionable 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 colleges, it is a perfect spot for knowledgeable surfers visiting Portugal. Simply hire a board close by and head to this spot for the last word browsing seashore day.
Find out how to get to the seashore: To succeed in this seashore, you’ll be able to drive or catch a ferry – relying on whether or not you might be staying north or south of the seashore. There’s considerable road parking so that you simply gained’t be caught for a parking spot. There are additionally loads of services, together with showers. Don’t overlook to carry a digital camera, because the little colourful fishing boats left round are a number of the most photogenic spots in Portugal.
3. Praia da Costa Nova
Praia da Costa Nova is a surprising spot in Portugal, with a phenomenal backdrop of colourful painted homes. It is among the most characterful seashores in Portugal – particularly if you need a extra ‘seashore city’ environment with cafes and unbiased retailers only a quick stroll away.
You may stroll alongside the smooth 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. Reap the benefits of the city setting to attempt 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.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Praia da Costa Nova is roughly an hour’s drive south of Porto, so a simple day journey so as to add to a metropolis break. In spite of everything, 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. Simply checking the images, you’d be shocked to assume such a picturesque, remote-seeming seashore might be only a 50-minute drive exterior a significant metropolis middle. It’s effectively definitely worth the detour in case you are 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 stand up near the jagged rock formations and even enter some caves alongside the cliffs. Photographers particularly flock to snap footage by the caves and to border the jagged stacks. For golden sand, volcanic rocks, and loads of rock swimming pools, you actually can’t go flawed with Praia da Adraga.
This seashore made it onto our listing 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 count on to swim – the waters are usually too uneven.
5. Camilo Seaside
One factor is for positive; you’ll get your steps in with a go to to Camilo Seaside. This spot is just accessible by way of water or by 200 chunky-cut picket steps. You’ll make the scenic climb all the way down to the waterfront with gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean and burnt orange panorama.
When you attain the seashore, you’ll be able to entry two separate seashores divided by an thrilling tunnel by the cliff face. In case you have kids, this is among 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 among the best things to do in Lagos, and it has a novelty enchantment that draws crowds of fun-seeking vacationers.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Camilo Seaside is simply exterior Lagos’ middle, accessible on foot inside a 30-minute stroll. Regardless of its proximity to such a central vacationer spot, services are nearly non-existent, so Camilo Seaside has a wild enchantment. Deliver snacks, seashore towels, and umbrellas if you need assured shade.
6. Praia da Nazaré
Nazare Seaside is 1.5km lengthy, with expansive sands and loads of room to sunbathe away from different vacationers – irrespective of the season. It’s the solely seashore close to Nazare appropriate for swimming, because it’s barely sheltered from the stronger waves, not like the close by Praia do Norte.
You may 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’s simply an hour and a half away from Lisbon by automobile, so a possible day journey for anybody wanting a extra spacious seashore possibility. Its main attracts are its spaciousness and quick access to Nazare’s eating and social gathering scene.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Strolling to Nazare Seaside from the city middle is a breeze, and the whole lot is compact and across the middle. You may take a look at the retailers, eating places, and cafes whereas having fun with stunning 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 – perfect for peaceable wading and households with youthful kids. The smooth 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’s a wild seashore, and getting there may be an adventurous street journey. The serene, wistful environment is not possible to not love, and in case you keep wherever close to Lisbon, it’s effectively price visiting.
Find out how to get to the seashore: To succeed in this seashore, you drive previous Comporta and to the top of the N253-1. You may as well catch a ferry from Setubal in case you fancy a extra adventurous manner of attending 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 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 principle issues that caught our consideration, however its sleepy vacationer city location can 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.
Find out 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 good seashore with nice seems to be. The seashore, well-known for its orange sea cliffs, is positioned in Albufeira and is the right getaway for a day on solar loungers or indulging in watersports. There’s additionally a restaurant and bar, as a result of what extra might you need? The sandstone cliffs are its primary sights, with components of the orange rock eroded and damaged down into advantageous powder to be able to see crimson and orange coloring as much as the water’s edge.
Find out how to get to the seashore: You may 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 services 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 brilliant it seems nearly 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 phenomenal 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 may spend a day on the seashore earlier than heading as much as get pleasure from a sundown dinner on the seafood bar that overlooks it.
Find out how to get to the seashore: To get to Praia Dona Ana, you’ll sort out some severe stairs. Deliver bottled water, because the chunky-cut picket stairs are fairly difficult, particularly within the noon warmth. Nonetheless, you’ll sort out them in lower than 10 minutes, which is effectively definitely worth the effort.
11. Praia da Bordeira
For surfers and wild seashore lovers, Praia da Bordeira is among the best possible seashores in Portugal. Praia da Bordeira is ready within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Pure Park, a phenomenal coastal protect with raptors and sea otters amongst its cliffside fauna. You may drive all the way 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.
Find out how to get to the seashore: To succeed in Praia da Bordeira, drive from Lagos or any little village above the Algarve area. It’s well-located for a day journey, so hire a automobile and get exploring.
12. Praia dos Ingleses
Praia dos Ingleses is one among Portugal’s hottest seashores. And whereas it won’t supply rolling dunes and white sands, it does have a superbly handy location as some of the accessible seashores in Porto. It’s a dream escape from inner-city life. The golden sand and seashore bar are a scrumptious mixture too, and it’s the perfect place to spend a day after a number of days of Porto sightseeing.
Praia dos Ingleses is all the time a hub of exercise, whether or not you might be 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.
Find out how to get to the seashore: You may 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 Seaside
Comporta Seaside is a part of a peninsula that juts out beneath Lisbon and has a few of Portugal’s prettiest seashores. The white sand and countless stretching sands make Comporta Seaside just about irresistible. And as if it might get much more romantic, common dolphin guests come to frolic within the shallow waters.
If you happen to aren’t a robust swimmer, you’ll wish to admire the dolphins from the shore, although. The seashore is known as among the best of Portugal’s seashores for kitesurfers and water sports activities lovers. However its uneven waters and no lifeguard standing make it extra of a paddle and sit-and-sunbathe seashore if not.
Find out how to get to the seashore: The seashore is finest accessed by automobile from Lisbon and takes round an hour to succeed in from town middle. If you happen to keep regionally in Comporta, you’ll be able to stroll to Comporta Seaside. It’s a day journey worthy and has a windswept and wistful enchantment – a romantic addition to your Portugal itinerary.
14. Carcavelos Seaside
Carcavelos Seaside, aka Praia de Carcavelos, is your typical happy-go-lucky vacation seashore. This spot has golden sands, browsing waves, and a promenade filled with cute retailers and vacationer infrastructure. It’s the kind of place you hope will likely be inside strolling distance of your resort. You can not go flawed for a simple, hassle-free seashore expertise.
Strolling alongside from Praia de Carcavelos, you’ll discover Forte de Sao Juliao da Barra, a Sixteenth-century seaside fort and one among Portugal’s topmost historic fortresses. So whereas Carcavelos has a status for being a sleepy seashore day city, it has fairly a little bit of oomph with its sights.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Carcavelos is the tiny parish the place you’ll discover the seashore and is somewhat vacationer hotspot that merges nearly 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 stunning white sand seashore, Praia de Moledo is your one. The view alongside Praia de Moledo is beautiful, 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 an excellent place to go to after. The mountain has historical petroglyphs and a church that runs every day guided excursions. However even simply admiring it from Praia de Moledo is spectacular, and it offers an nearly volcanic setting that injects the seashore with tons extra character.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Praia de Moledo is well 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 in case you are planning a cross-border street journey, it’s an absolute should.
16. Praia de Benagil
Benagil Seaside is the postcard darling of the most effective seashores in Portugal. You enter by boat or kayak by a low opening within the cliff face, revealing an enormous sea cave with limestone partitions stretching up and a single gap within the cave roof the place you’ll be able to see a circle of blue sky and a beam of pure mild.
Benagil Seaside is among the nation’s most well-known ‘hidden’ coves and is world-renowned as some of the stunning seashores you’ll be able to ever go to. It’s straightforward to see why. And also you gained’t battle to arrange a go to because of its reputation. E-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 not possible. This seashore is gorgeous, even whether it is tremendous fashionable. Our recommendation? Go to within the off-season or, within 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 among the finest seashores in Portugal. That’s in case you are prepared to enterprise out from the usual southern Portugal holidays and out to the Portuguese islands off the shoreline and within 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 positioned in Sao Miguel, one of many largest. This seashore has putting black sand and is among the most dramatic seashores in Portugal. It’s fashionable for surfers, however watch out because it often has Portuguese Man of Battle jellyfish – famously painful and toxic. You may stroll alongside the sands and attempt to spot them or get pleasure from sunbathing with the novelty of a black sand seashore.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is simple to succeed in in case you keep regionally and inside strolling distance of Santa Barbara village. In any other case, 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 within the gorgeous Arrábida Pure Park close to the tiny city of Portinho da Arrábida. If you need pristine waters and 0 crowds, it’s the finest seashore within the area – this spot is significantly off-the-beaten-track. Its tiny structure is the right slice of quiet pure magnificence, and the golden sand is typical of Portugal’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Deliver your seashore gear and refreshments, as services are non-existent. However the rural attract is effectively price the additional effort. This seashore is a winner for an adventurous time out, and go to Arrábida Pure Park.
Find out how to get to the seashore: Praia de Alpertuche is finest accessed by automobile and foot for the ultimate mountain climbing path part. It’s only round an hour away from Lisbon, which is a strong plus.
Finest Seashores in Portugal: FAQs
These beautiful seashores are all unimaginable of their particular person methods. Within the hotter summer season months, you’ll see these stunning seashores of their finest mild. Earlier than you go to these high seashores in Portugal, although, take a look at these high FAQs.
Which a part of Portugal has the most effective seashores?
The Algarve area is known for seashores and undeniably has a number of 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.
The place is the prettiest seashore in Portugal?
Praia de Benagil is a surprising seashore hidden beneath a cavern on the Algarve. It’s extensively often known as one of many prettiest seashores in Portugal.
Can I swim on Portugal seashores?
Sure, you’ll be able to swim at lots of the Portugal seashores. Simply 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.
The place are the sandy seashores in Portugal?
There are sandy seashores throughout Portugal, particularly within the Algarve area. You gained’t battle to discover a golden sand seashore to sit back on.
To Conclude
These finest seashores in Portugal are good for the seashore day of a lifetime. Portugal’s seashores are a number of the most stunning on this planet, and also you’ll massively recognize the putting views and distinctive settings – particularly with its cave seashores. It’s price noting how the time of 12 months impacts your seashore expertise in Portugal. In the summertime months, most seashores get filled with guests and locals alike and have electrical vitality. Shoulder seasons like September and October are a lot better, providing excessive temperatures however fewer crowds in case you don’t desire a social gathering vibe.
Be sure to attempt some traditional Portuguese food in between seashore hopping. And keep in mind to discover some barely extra inland villages and cities like Obidos or Sao Miguel quite than simply sticking to important 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 ‘vacationer areas’, a lot of that are solely profited by offshore firms. Go to 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.