Surrounded by cliffs, stunning rock formations, and clear blue waters, Portugal's shores are a true paradise. Discover the best beaches in Portugal.
8min
Internationally known for its historical and cultural attractions, Portugal also surprises visitors with breathtaking beaches. Not everyone knows, but the country’s coast is among the most beautiful in Europe. Boasting beautiful cliffs and clear blue waters, the best beaches in Portugal are sure worth visiting.
With about 943 km (586 miles) of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal has many that have even won awards and global recognition for their beauty. For example, Praia da Marinha in the Algarve was included in the Michelin Guide's ranking of the world's 100 most beautiful beaches. And the best part is that during the summer, the sunset happens near 10 PM, giving you long sunny days to enjoy to the fullest.
To help you plan your itinerary along the Portuguese coast, we’ve prepared a selection of the best beaches in Portugal.
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How about exploring Portugal's beaches with free accommodation? This is possible with the help of Worldpackers, a platform that allows you to exchange a few hours of work for lodging and other benefits at hostels, guesthouses, eco-villages etc.
This way you can spend more time exploring your chosen destinations without paying for a place to stay. It’s like a budget-friendly exchange program that allows for deep cultural immersion. You get to develop your skills or acquire new ones, meet locals and other travelers and live like a local.
In Portugal, there are some very cool volunteering opportunities in places like Sagres Sun Stay, a Surf Camp located in the beautiful coastal town of Sagres. There, you can assist with social media in exchange for lodging, surfing lessons, and yoga sessions.
Another excellent option is to help with daily tasks at Vagueira Guest House while living in the stunning Praia da Vagueira. What an amazing way to experience the Portuguese coast, right?
Click here to see all the opportunities for volunteering in Portugal.
Keep reading: What it's like to do a work exchange at a surf camp in Portugal
Despite being only 40 meters long, Praia de Dona Ana is considered by many as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is a popular spot among tourists due to its calm sea, clear waters, and the absence of strong winds typical of the region.
However, the main highlight of this Portuguese beach is its location on Costa D’Oiro, where the rocks have golden hues, creating a truly paradisiacal landscape.
Praia Dona Ana is located in the Algarve, in the southern part of the country, one of the most famous destinations during the European summer. The beaches of Algarve are renowned as some of the best in Portugal.
Important Note: Access to Praia de Dona Ana is only possible via stairs, which may make it difficult for people with reduced mobility.
Another paradise among Algarve’s beaches, Praia da Marinha is the most iconic spot on Portugal’s coastline. Located in the municipality of Lagoa in central Algarve, the beach is surrounded by stunning orange limestone cliffs and beautiful rock formations.
The clear, nearly transparent blue waters are perfect for swimming and also ideal for snorkeling. Visitors can spot starfish, seahorses, and a wide variety of marine fauna and flora.
Praia da Marinha offers excellent infrastructure, including bars, restaurants, and rental services for beach umbrellas, chairs, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Boat tours to the famous Benagil Cave, an impressive rock formation with a hole in the top, are also available.
However, accessing Praia da Marinha can be challenging. The path starts at the top of a cliff, where parking is available, followed by a long wooden staircase leading down to the beach.
Cascais, a city very close to Lisbon, boasts stunning beaches like the famous Praia do Guincho, located within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Surrounded by white sand dunes with the Sintra Mountains in the background, this beach is a hotspot for surfers and kitesurfers due to its strong winds and waves.
Praia do Guincho not only features breathtaking natural scenery—once even used as a backdrop for a James Bond film—but also offers excellent infrastructure. A picturesque promenade is perfect for walking and exercising, complemented by a bike lane and wheelchair access to the shore.
The area combines natural beauty with delightful gastronomy. There are several seafood and fish restaurants near the beach, with one standout being Fortaleza do Guincho, an 18th-century fortress converted into a hotel and restaurant with stunning sea views.
A gem among Lisbon's beautiful beaches, Praia de Santa Cruz features untouched landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and majestic cliffs. The wind and high waves make it a popular spot for surfers and water sports enthusiasts, and the beach often hosts international surfing competitions.
Praia de Santa Cruz also offers good infrastructure, including a swimming pool and an Olympic shooting range. During summer, numerous events and musical performances add to the lively atmosphere of the beach.
Located in Aljezur, in the southern Algarve region, Praia de Odeceixe is a stunning combination of towering cliffs, lush vegetation, a long stretch of sand, and the meeting point of the Seixe River with the Atlantic Ocean. No wonder it’s considered one of the best beaches in Portugal.
At low tide, natural pools form between the river and the sea, enhancing the beauty of the scenery. On top of the cliff, there’s a small village with a few restaurants, bars, and parking.
Nearby Odeceixe there are many other beaches to explore, such as Praia do Amado, Praia da Amoreira, Praia da Arrifana, and even a naturist beach, Praia das Adegas.
The Galápos and Galapinhos beaches are separated only by a narrow sandy area with some rocks. Sheltered from the wind by the Serra da Arrábida and some cliffs, they feature calm, crystal-clear waters, making them ideal for diving.
These stunning beaches are located on the Setúbal Peninsula, south of Lisbon. The region boasts parks, nature reserves, a beautiful bay, and some of Portugal's most scenic beaches.
With their natural beauty preserved, Praia de Galapinhos lacks infrastructure and buildings, while Praia de Galápos offers only two beachfront restaurants. Access to these beaches is via the Serra da Arrábida, and the road runs close to the sea.
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In terms of tourist infrastructure, Praia da Rocha is one of Portugal's best beaches. Its long stretch of sand is lined with excellent bars and restaurants that operate day and night.
Located in the center of Portimão, a port city in the Algarve region, Praia da Rocha features calm and clear waters, making it a popular spot during the European summer.
Access to the beach is via several staircases descending from the cliffs above. On the right side, you’ll find a viewpoint and Praia dos Três Castelos, another beach surrounded by striking cliffs and rock formations. On the left, the beach meets the Arade River.
Only 30 km (19 miles) away from Lisbon, Sintra is known for its majestic castles, historical attractions, mountains, and beautiful beaches. Among them is Praia de Magoito, a hidden gem still relatively unknown to tourists.
Nestled in a deep valley and surrounded by towering cliffs, the beach offers stunning panoramic views. Access is via a ramp leading to the shore. The sea has strong waves and is perfect for surfing, while natural pools formed by a nearby river provide calmer waters.
The beach’s unique landscape also includes dunes over 10,000 years old, considered a geomonument containing archaeological traces of human activity from the Paleolithic period. Praia de Magoito is also renowned for its iodine-rich waters. In terms of infrastructure, there is only one restaurant on site.
This small, picturesque beach is also located in Sintra. Its most striking feature is a natural pool by the sea, formed at the base of a cliff adorned with whitewashed houses.
The stunning scenery can be admired from a viewpoint offering privileged panoramic views of the village and the ocean—perfect for capturing incredible photos. Tourists also love a famous cliffside restaurant called Restaurante Piscinas.
Praia de Bordeira, also known as Praia da Carrapateira, is situated in the Algarve. Known for its strong waves, which make it a favorite among surfers, it also boasts a vast stretch of sand of about 3 km, retaining a wild and untouched character.
Although the sea is not ideal for swimming, the nearby Ribeira de Bordeira river offers shallow, calm waters. Ideal for those seeking a quiet and uncrowded beach, Praia de Bordeira has no tourist infrastructure, featuring only a parking area.
Albufeira, a coastal city in the Algarve region, has transformed from a fishing village into a popular holiday destination, known for its beaches and vibrant nightlife. Among its attractions is Praia da Falésia, named after the towering red cliffs (falésias) that surround it.
This beach impresses visitors with its size, offering over 5.5 km of golden sand. The calm, blue sea is perfect for swimming, while the cliffs not only shield it from the wind but also provide excellent hiking paths and breathtaking views.
As one of Albufeira's main attractions, Praia da Falésia draws many visitors in summer. To accommodate this influx, it offers excellent infrastructure, including resorts, campgrounds, and quality restaurants. Access to the beach is via a staircase descending from the top of the cliffs.
Just over an hour from Lisbon, in the Alentejo region, Praia da Comporta holds the title of “the fanciest beach in Europeâ€, drawing luxury-seeking tourists.
With impeccable infrastructure, it boasts excellent bars, restaurants, hotels, and renowned beach clubs. Sal, one of the best beach bars in the world according to Condé Nast Traveller, is located here.
The natural beauty of Comporta is equally impressive, with a vast stretch of golden sand, turquoise waters, and well-preserved surrounding vegetation. The region’s rice fields further enhance the unique scenery.
Praia da Comporta is also famous for hosting kitesurfing competitions, thanks to its ideal conditions for the sport.
By now you’ve probably realized that the Algarve is home to many of Portugal’s best beaches, and Praia de São Rafael is no exception. Small and charming, this beach features fine, light-colored sand and a stunning blue sea.
Nestled among striking cliffs and rock formations, São Rafael offers calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming. Nearby beaches with equally beautiful landscapes can be reached by walking along the sand.
Praia de São Rafael includes restaurants and parking with a ramp leading to the shore.
While it isn’t among the most picturesque, Praia de Nazaré earns its place on this list of best beaches in Portugal for its international fame as the site of the world’s biggest waves.
Located north of Lisbon, Nazaré is renowned for massive swells generated by Atlantic storms hundreds of kilometers away. It hosts surfing competitions in the winter, where record-breaking waves are surfed.
In reality, Nazaré comprises two beaches separated by a large rocky promontory. Praia de Nazaré is where the town is located, offering full tourist infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. Praia do Norte, on the other hand, is where the colossal waves occur.
So, what did you think of this selection of the best beaches in Portugal? Remember: the best way to enjoy them all is to do a work exchange program in Portugal with free accommodation!
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