Portugal could have some beautiful cities, however the seashores in Portugal are one thing else. Portugal’s seashores are famously dramatic, with comfortable sand and shiny orange sea cliffs. Its Atlantic Ocean shoreline is filled with hidden coves and even secret cave seashores like Praia de Benagil – which is simply accessible by boat or kayak. Whether or not you’ve three days on the Algarve or a five-day break in Sintra, you’ll need to go to at the very least 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 among the greatest 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 stress-free on solar loungers with beautiful sea cliff views.
1. Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is likely one of the most well-known points of interest for anybody staying close to Benagil, other than Praia de Benagil itself. When you’ve already visited the Insta-famous sea caves, this dramatically situated seashore is likely 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 wood stairs or by boat or kayak – the selection is yours. It’s an adventurous seashore to achieve.
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 could swim underneath. We had so as to add it to this checklist for its photogenic attraction and quirky entry routes.
The right way to get to the seashore: To achieve Praia da Marinha, you park up alongside Estr. Da Marinha within the designated automotive park after which hike down the steps to achieve the seashore. Alternatively, you possibly can 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 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 Pure 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’s well-liked amongst anybody who appreciates an excellent 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 knowledgeable surfers visiting Portugal. Simply lease a board close by and head to this spot for the last word browsing seashore day.
The right way to get to the seashore: To achieve this seashore, you possibly can drive or catch a ferry – relying on whether or not you might be staying north or south of the seashore. There may be ample road 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 likely one of the most characterful seashores in Portugal – particularly if you would like a extra ‘seashore city’ ambiance with cafes and unbiased retailers only a brief stroll away.
You may stroll alongside the comfortable 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. Make the most of the city setting to attempt contemporary 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.
The right way 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 shocking inlet simply outdoors of Lisbon. Simply checking the photographs, you’d be shocked to suppose such a picturesque, remote-seeming seashore could possibly be only a 50-minute drive outdoors a serious metropolis middle. It’s effectively well worth the detour if you’re 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 possibly can rise up near the jagged rock formations and even enter some caves alongside the cliffs. Photographers particularly flock to snap photos 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 improper 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 sometimes too uneven.
5. Camilo Seashore
One factor is for certain; you’ll get your steps in with a go to to Camilo Seashore. This spot is simply accessible by way of water or by 200 chunky-cut wood steps. You’ll make the scenic climb all the way down to the waterfront with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and burnt orange panorama.
When you attain the seashore, you possibly can entry two separate seashores divided by an thrilling tunnel by the cliff face. If in case you have youngsters, this is likely 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 all the most effective issues to do in Lagos, and it has a novelty attraction that pulls crowds of fun-seeking vacationers.
The right way to get to the seashore: Camilo Seashore is simply outdoors Lagos’ middle, accessible on foot inside a 30-minute stroll. Regardless of its proximity to such a central vacationer spot, amenities are nearly non-existent, so Camilo Seashore has a wild attraction. Convey snacks, seashore towels, and umbrellas if you would like assured shade.
6. Praia da Nazaré
Nazare Seashore is 1.5km lengthy, with expansive sands and loads of room to sunbathe away from different vacationers – regardless 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 shiny white buildings and conventional terracotta-colored roofing. It’s 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 quick access to Nazare’s eating and occasion scene.
The right way to get to the seashore: Strolling to Nazare Seashore from the city middle is a breeze, and every part 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 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 – preferrred for peaceable wading and households with youthful youngsters. The comfortable 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 individuals venturing to the tip to see the seashore. It’s a wild seashore, and getting there’s an adventurous street journey. The serene, wistful ambiance is not possible to not love, and if you happen to keep wherever close to Lisbon, it’s effectively price visiting.
The right way to get to the seashore: To achieve this seashore, you drive previous Comporta and to the tip of the N253-1. You too can catch a ferry from Setubal if you happen to fancy a extra adventurous approach of attending to this seashore vacation spot.
8. Praia da Rocha
A boardwalk backs Praia da Rocha, and if you happen to make it to the tip 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 principle issues that caught our consideration, however its sleepy vacationer city location can also be a plus if you happen to like wandering between cafes and small retailers. All in all, for traditional seashore views and an lively seashore journey, this golden seashore is ideal.
The right way 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, if you’re staying close by, a simple 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 situated 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 may you need? The sandstone cliffs are its predominant points of interest, with elements of the orange rock eroded and damaged down into nice powder so that you could see purple and orange coloring as much as the water’s edge.
The right way to get to the seashore: You may shortly drive to Praia da Falesia, and there’s a big automotive park for the excessive capability of tourists that this seashore attracts. It has a enjoyable, organized attraction with loads of solar loungers and amenities obtainable.
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 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 an exquisite 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’ll spend a day on the seashore earlier than heading as much as take pleasure in a sundown dinner on the seafood bar that overlooks it.
The right way to get to the seashore: To get to Praia Dona Ana, you’ll deal with some severe stairs. Convey bottled water, because the chunky-cut wood stairs are fairly difficult, particularly within the noon warmth. Nonetheless, you’ll deal with them in lower than 10 minutes, which is effectively well worth the effort.
11. Praia da Bordeira
For surfers and wild seashore lovers, Praia da Bordeira is likely one of the absolute best seashores in Portugal. Praia da Bordeira is ready within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Pure Park, an exquisite 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 stylish 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 attraction.
The right way to get to the seashore: To achieve Praia da Bordeira, drive from Lagos or any little village above the Algarve area. It’s well-located for a day journey, so lease a automotive and get exploring.
12. Praia dos Ingleses
Praia dos Ingleses is one in all Portugal’s hottest seashores. And whereas it may not provide rolling dunes and white sands, it does have a wonderfully 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 preferrred place to spend a day after a couple 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 elements of residents because it does vacationers, even in peak seasons, which is a pleasant contact.
The right way 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 automotive from Porto metropolis middle
13. Comporta Seashore
Comporta Seashore 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 Seashore just about irresistible. And as if it may get much more romantic, common dolphin guests come to frolic within the shallow waters.
When you aren’t a robust swimmer, you’ll need to admire the dolphins from the shore, although. The seashore is known as probably the greatest 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.
The right way to get to the seashore: The seashore is greatest accessed by automotive from Lisbon and takes round an hour to achieve from the town middle. When you keep domestically in Comporta, you possibly can stroll to Comporta Seashore. It’s a day journey worthy and has a windswept and wistful attraction – a romantic addition to your Portugal itinerary.
14. Carcavelos Seashore
Carcavelos Seashore, 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’s the form of place you hope might be inside strolling distance of your resort. You can’t go improper 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 in all 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 points of interest.
The right way 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 ambiance.
15. Praia de Moledo
In order for you an undeniably stunning 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 notice, Monte de Santa Tecla is a superb place to go to after. The mountain has historical petroglyphs and a church that runs day by day guided excursions. However even simply admiring it from Praia de Moledo is spectacular, and it supplies an nearly volcanic setting that injects the seashore with tons extra character.
The right way 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 if you’re planning a cross-border street journey, it’s an absolute should.
16. Praia de Benagil
Benagil Seashore 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 possibly can see a circle of blue sky and a beam of pure gentle.
Benagil Seashore is likely one of the nation’s most well-known ‘hidden’ coves and is world-renowned as some of the stunning seashores you possibly can ever go to. It’s straightforward to see why. And also you gained’t battle to arrange a go to because of its reputation. Ebook 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? Go to within the off-season or, within the worst case state of affairs, shoulder season so the crowds don’t spoil it.
17. Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara
Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is likely one of the greatest seashores in Portugal. That’s if you’re 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 situated in Sao Miguel, one of many largest. This seashore has hanging black sand and is likely one of the most dramatic seashores in Portugal. It’s well-liked for surfers, however watch out because it sometimes has Portuguese Man of Struggle jellyfish – famously painful and toxic. You may stroll alongside the sands and attempt to spot them or take pleasure in sunbathing with the novelty of a black sand seashore.
The right way to get to the seashore: Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is simple to achieve if you happen to keep domestically and inside strolling distance of Santa Barbara village. In any other case, you possibly can shortly drive round Sao Miguel island.
18. Praia de Alpertuche
Praia de Alpertuche is a sandy seashore solely accessible by a scenic mountaineering path and located within the beautiful Arrábida Pure Park close to the tiny city of Portinho da Arrábida. In order for you pristine waters and nil crowds, it’s the greatest seashore within the area – this spot is severely off-the-beaten-track. Its tiny format is the right slice of quiet pure magnificence, and the golden sand is typical of Portugal’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Convey your seashore gear and refreshments, as amenities are non-existent. However the rural attract is effectively price the additional effort. This seashore is a winner for an adventurous day trip, and go to Arrábida Pure Park.
The right way to get to the seashore: Praia de Alpertuche is greatest accessed by automotive and foot for the ultimate mountaineering path part. It is just round an hour away from Lisbon, which is a strong plus.
Finest Seashores in Portugal: FAQs
These attractive seashores are all unimaginable of their particular person methods. Within the hotter summer season months, you’ll see these stunning seashores of their greatest gentle. 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 among 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.
The place is the prettiest seashore in Portugal?
Praia de Benagil is a shocking seashore hidden underneath a cavern on the Algarve. It’s broadly often called one of many prettiest seashores in Portugal.
Can I swim on Portugal seashores?
Sure, you possibly can swim at lots of the Portugal seashores. Simply look ahead to lifeguard towers and seashore flag methods, and keep away from swimming on the browsing seashores the place waves are sometimes 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 chill on.
To Conclude
These greatest seashores in Portugal are good for the seashore day of a lifetime. Portugal’s seashores are among the most stunning on the planet, and also you’ll massively recognize the hanging views and distinctive settings – particularly with its cave seashores. It’s price noting how the time of yr 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 if you happen to don’t desire a occasion vibe.
Be certain to attempt some conventional Portuguese meals 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. An enormous a part of contributing to sustainable tourism is actively dispersing the vacationer affect and investing in economies outdoors the ‘vacationer areas’, lots of that are solely profited by offshore firms. Go to the smaller cities and villages, and search extra genuine experiences – you’ll depart a extra sustainable affect and get extra conventional, much less busy points of interest. It’s a win-win and particular meals for thought.