Discover and explore the best beaches in Portugal

Want to explore the best beaches in Portugal? Read this article.

With half of its territory bathed by sea, Portugal is the ideal destination for those looking for beach, sun, and mild temperatures all year round. The undeniable beauty of the "Lusitanian beach" has led several international entities to name some Portuguese beaches as some of the most beautiful in the world. However, the large amount of sand existing in Portuguese territory makes the task of naming the best beaches in Portugal even more complicated. We did our best and gathered some of our favourites in this article.

View through the beach

The Best Beaches in Portugal by region

 

From North to South, embark on this journey with us and discover the best beaches in Portugal to visit and fall even more in love with our country. Also take the opportunity to discover our itinerary for a 3-day holiday in Portugal and complete your adventure plans for the near future.

The Northern Beaches

 

From Caminha to Viana do Castelo, from Esposende to Matosinhos, all these destinations perfectly combine the beauty of a comfortable beach with the history and culture of the surrounding cities.

Minho arrives in force, but not even that takes away the beauty of the other northern beaches. Discover some of the best beaches in Portugal, located in the north of the country.

1) Praia de Moledo - Caminha

 

Praia de Moledo, near the Spanish border, is considered by many as one of the best beaches in Portugal, with the landscape painted by the mountains in the background. Despite its icy waters, even during the summer, it is appreciated for its natural landscapes and therapeutic properties, associated with the strong presence of iodine.

In addition, the waters of Moledo beach, together with the strong wind and choppy sea swell, make it a perfect destination for water sports such as windsurfing, surfing and bodyboarding.

Taking advantage of your presence on this beach, you can always escape from the sand and explore the nearby forest. This is the Mata Nacional do Camarido, planted by King Dinis. There is also the Forte da Ínsua, a national monument since 1910.

Best beaches in Portugal: sunset Moledo beach

1) Praia de Moledo - Caminha

 

Praia de Moledo, near the Spanish border, is considered by many as one of the best beaches in Portugal, with the landscape painted by the mountains in the background. Despite its icy waters, even during the summer, it is appreciated for its natural landscapes and therapeutic properties, associated with the strong presence of iodine.

In addition, the waters of Moledo beach, together with the strong wind and choppy sea swell, make it a perfect destination for water sports such as windsurfing, surfing and bodyboarding.

Taking advantage of your presence on this beach, you can always escape from the sand and explore the nearby forest. This is the Mata Nacional do Camarido, planted by King Dinis. There is also the Forte da Ínsua, a national monument since 1910.

 

 

2) Praia da Arda - Viana do Castelo

 

We nominate Arda Beach as one of the best beaches in Portugal because it has long been acclaimed as one of the best holiday destinations in the North of the country. Of course, this is also due to the numerous nautical sports that can be practiced here, being searched by lovers of bodyboard, surf or stand-up paddle.

The extensive sandy beach, with its white sands and protected by small dunes, makes this beach one of the most prestigious in the “Blue Flag” programme. Besides, it has the advantage of being only 20 minutes away from the beautiful historical centre of Viana do Castelo.

 

 

3) Beach of Ofir - Esposende

 

Still in Minho, we find in Esposende the beach of Ofir, protected on one side by the extensive pine forest of Ofir, but also by the numerous dunes. In the summer, this pine forest is the destination of many families for a picnic, and there is also a holiday camp near the beach for the younger ones to have an unforgettable holiday.

Back at the beach, when the sea waters descend, they expose the countless rocks known as "Cavalos de Fão", associated with ancient legends. It is also a very sought-after destination for those who by day want a beach and at night an active nightlife, as it is here that we find numerous nightlife venues.

 

 

4) Matosinhos Beach - Porto

 

Very close to the second biggest city in Portugal, we find one of the best beaches in Portugal: Matosinhos beach! This is the perfect refuge for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of Porto and still be able to enjoy all the charms of the capital of the North.

Here you will find some of the best seafood restaurants on the north coast, but you can also take a stroll along the extensive promenade, which leads you to Porto City Park. On the way you can detour and visit the marine life that resides in Sea Life and get to know the Forte de Nossa Senhora das Neves.

Best beaches in Portugal matosinhos terminal porto beach

The Beaches in the Centre

 

From north to south of the country, we know there are fantastic beaches. But it is along the 279 km of Atlantic coast of Centro that we find some of the best beaches in Portugal!

1) Costa Nova - Aveiro

 

Costa Nova beach is known for its colourful striped houses, which delight all those who enjoy walking along the beach. We nominate it as one of the best beaches in Portugal, as it reminds us of an authentic postcard that comes to life in our presence. There are several delicious fish restaurants here, but we can also try the famous “Aveiro tripe”.

The beach is long and wide, ideal for families to ensure the safety of the younger ones. You can also visit nearby the Barra beach and see the beautiful lighthouse.

Best beaches in Portugal: colored striped house costa nova

2) Nazaré Beach - Leiria

 

Located in the picturesque village of Nazaré, this is a favourite destination for many Portuguese and foreigners during their summer holidays. Long nominated as one of the best beaches in Portugal also due to the world surf championships that attract lots of tourists, the unmistakable Nazaré cliff serves as a backdrop to this beach and the smell of grilled fish mingles with the sea air.

 

To visit this beach, you can use the mythical Nazaré lift and enjoy the views on the way up. However, if you are travelling with a rented car, the journey to Praia do Norte is even easier, being only a few minutes away. Be sure to meet the friendly Nazarenas, with their typical costumes, who sit near the beach offering numerous services, such as accommodation, sweets, or restaurant suggestions.

Best beaches in Portugal: Nazaré huge wave

3) Baleal Beach - Peniche

Praia do Baleal is in Peniche and stretches 4km along the peninsula. When the tide is low, small lagoons form between the rocks, creating an amazing landscape for kids and adults alike!

Just 2km from the beach, you can also visit some caves and ravines. The best part is that it's only an hour away from our Lisbon itinerary (não há tradução deste artigo em EN), being possible to rent a car and make a one-day visit, for those who live in the capital.

Best beaches in Portugal: peniche

4) Galapinhos Beach - Setúbal

 

Surrounded by the Arrábida Mountain, Galapinhos beach is without any doubt one of the best beaches in Portugal, as we are talking about a true paradise on earth.

The sea is an intense blue and the golden and white sand is made of fine sand. The waters of Galapinhos Beach are crystal clear and warm, letting you easily see the bottom of the sea. It is considered by many to be one of the best places to go diving in Portugal. In addition, it is always worth visiting Serra da Arrábida and eating a good fried cuttlefish in Setúbal.

 

The Southern Beaches

 

There are so many incredible beaches in the Alentejo and Algarve, that it becomes difficult to only name a few for our list of the best beaches in Portugal. However, you can always read more here about the beautiful beaches of the Algarve region (não há tradução deste artigo em EN), and decide which ones are best for you.

1) Praia da Bordeira - Carrapateira

 

Praia da Bordeira is situated 22 km from Aljezur, and is one of the best beaches in Portugal, situated on the Costa Vicentina. It is only 2 km away from the village of Carrapateira, that from its Pontal presents us with one of the best sunsets ever.

This incredible beach, almost three kilometres long, is known for its tranquillity, only interrupted by the numerous surfers who choose this coast to enjoy their holidays. It is a watched beach, so you can rest easy and start thinking about one of your next road trips in Portugal. (artigo atualizado por publicar)

 

 

2) Almograve Beach - Odemira

 

This is considered one of the most beautiful beaches of the Alentejo coast and certainly one of the best beaches in Portugal.

It is divided in two parts: one of the beaches is surrounded by cliffs and the other with dunes, meaning that the wind here is not a problem and the sea breeze is the one that refreshes you during the summer. Despite being at the bottom of a cliff, this beach has good access via three strategically placed steps.

 

 

3) Marinha Beach - Lagoa

 

This beach has all the credit to be in our list of the best beaches in Portugal. If you don't see it: the rock formations and cliffs that surround it guarantee it a unique and unmistakable natural beauty.

It is one of the most photographed beaches when we talk about the Algarve, as its landscapes turn any photo into a luxury holiday postcard. The typical limestone cliffs of warm tones that mark the Algarve coast, show us arches, caves, isolated groups of rocks, for all the tastes of the more curious and adventurous.

 

 

4) Praia da Rocha

 

Praia da Rocha is the main beach in Portimão. Since the development of tourism in the region, it has become a very popular place. The beach has an extensive sandy stretch of over 1 km in length. It goes from the Miradouro dos Três Castelos to Portimão Marina.

Composed by numerous rock formations that give it its name, there are many activities you can find here: surf lessons, boat trips, restaurants, cafes, and discos, being therefore one of the most popular destinations in our list of the best beaches in Portugal.

Best beaches in Portugal: praia da Rocha  sandy beach

How to visit the best beaches of Portugal

 

You are in the right place to plan a tour to the best beaches of Portugal. Due to the size of the Portuguese coast, you can split your adventure over several days and you can do it at any time of the year, since the more than 3,000 hours of sunshine allow it. 

Rent your car at one of the Enterprise stations closest to your departure destination and start exploring some of the best destinations in Portugal right now.

Discover the best beaches in Algarve

Algarve is, for many, a synonym of gorgeous beaches, warm weather and, above all… vacations. Throughout the year, and especially during summer, many Portuguese and foreigners travel to the south of Portugal looking for warm waters, rocky landscapes and vast landscapes of sand.

Discover the best beaches in Portugal

With half of its territory surrounded by sea, Portugal is the perfect destination for those who are looking for beach, sun and mild temperatures most of the year. The undeniable beauty of our coast has brought us many awards from international entities, who consider our beaches some of the most beautiful in the world. However, the great amount of vast extensions of sand in Portuguese territory makes it even more difficult to choose the best beaches in Portugal.

From North to South, hop on this journey with us and discover the best beaches in Portugal to visit.

Rural Tourism in Portugal: the best places to visit

When we think about vacations in Portugal, we automatically think about beaches and coastal areas. Even though these are the “fan favourites” for many, Portugal has so much more to explore! The countryside is full of natural secrets ready to be discovered and that will guarantee you a journey with many adventures and unique experiences.

Leave the beach towel and sunscreen at home and discover the best destinations that rural tourism Portugal has to offer.