Best Beaches In Portugal Endowed With Breathtaking Views

Portugal is blessed with not one but two coastlines - one that faces the Mediterranean sea and the other that faces the Atlantic. Undoubtedly there are a plethora of beaches in Portugal, making it a paradise for all those who love the sun, sand, and sea. Covered in golden sand and backed by dramatic cliffs, most of these beaches are postcard-perfect. But, with so many of them lining the coast, it can be pretty baffling to choose one beach to visit when in Portugal. So here is a list of the top beaches in Portugal that are a must-visit to see the country’s shores.   

1. Praia de Benagil 

Image Source: pixabay.com

Praia de Benagil may seem to be a tiny beach in Portugal but it is quite popular amongst visitors, thanks to the fascinating cave formation here called ‘Algar de Benagil’. With a round hole in the ceiling that gapes at the blue sky, this cave is considered to be a wonder of nature. The beach is blanketed in soft golden sand and is backed by tall rugged cliffs. The beach water may seem to be a little cold initially, but once you are acclimatized, there is nothing better than enjoying a good swim at Praia de Benagil. 

2. Praia do Camilo 

Image Source: flickr.com

Praia do Camilo is a sandy cove in Portugal where magnificent golden cliffs and calm turquoise waters come together and form a stunning contrast. You have to walk down 200 wooden steps to reach this beach that also features a hand-dug tunnel. Since the beach is quite small, it is recommended to visit the cove during low tide to have most of the sandy shore to yourself. While swimming and sunbathing might be a favorite activity amongst visitors of Praia do Camilo, snorkeling is also a great sport to try out here for the water is crystal clear. 

3. Praia da Marinha 

Image Source: pxhere.com

Praia da Marinha stands amongst the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe. It is one of the iconic beaches of Portugal, featuring jaw-dropping vistas of tall cliffs, that you might have even noticed in a few advertisements for the Algarve. While the beach is a snorkeling paradise, the surrounding cliffs also have a few trails that are ideal for cliff-walks. Surprisingly, Praia da Marinha is never over-crowded despite being one of the best places to visit in Portugal. This makes the beach a perfect spot to bask in the Mediterranean climate and enjoy solitude.        

4. Praia da Rocha 

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Praia da Rocha is one of the best beach resort towns in Portugal. While it is an ideal place to relax and unwind, it also lets you taste the nightlife of Portugal. Considered to be the liveliest place along the Algarve coastline, Praia da Rocha features a long sandy shore, themed bars, and restaurants. The beach is backed by stunning limestone rock formations that make for a sight to behold. During holidays, beach lovers flock down to Praia da Rocha, making it one of the most-visited beaches in Portugal.     

5. Moledo Beach 

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Moledo Beach is considered to be one of the popular family-friendly beaches in Portugal. Featuring a long enough sandy stretch, the beach has bars and restaurants along with showers, outdoor parking, and beach rentals. With a good ocean swell throughout the year, Moledo beach is a well-known surfing destination. During summers, the beach welcomes strong winds, allowing visitors to enjoy windsurfing to their heart’s content. During your visit to Moledo Beach, you must not leave without witnessing the mesmerizing sunset.     

6. Praia do Carvalho 

Image Source: flickr.com

Praia do Carvalho is one of the lesser-known beaches in Portugal. Owing to its access, which is along a staircase through two tunnels in a cliff, the sandy cove attracts very few beach lovers. Surrounded by tall cliffs, Praia do Carvalho is a favorite amongst local kids who visit it to experience cliff jumping. If you aren’t much into adventurous sports, you can also go snorkeling here or simply lie on the golden beach and enjoy sunbathing. There are also many fascinating rock formations near the beach that make it worth visiting.  

7. Praia da Franquia 

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Located on the sandy banks of River Mira, Praia da Franquia is a favorite amongst local families. Come summer, and you will find the beach to be bustling with beach lovers. With the water being calm and flat, it is a great place to indulge in a variety of water sports. But, canoeing and windsurfing are the most enjoyed recreational activities at Praia da Franquia. Also, this beach is said to be one of the most sheltered beaches in Portugal, letting lazy bums relax on the sandy shore without facing the scorching sun.   

8. Praia da Fuseta 

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Equipped with a number of amenities such as restrooms, a first-aid cabin, rented umbrellas, sunbeds, and refreshment kiosks, Praia da Fuseta is one of the best beaches in Portugal to visit kids and family. To reach this beach, you need to take a short ferry ride. Despite being a long and clean beach, you will find it to be less crowded compared to other nearby beaches. Kitesurfing and paddle boarding are the activities to indulge in at the beach. Unlike other Portugal beaches, you will find the sand at this beach to be more of a whiter shade.  

9. Praia da Nazaré 

Image Source: wikimedia.org

Praia da Nazaré has to be one of the best surfing spots in Portugal with its perfect strong waves. The beach waves have also been recorded as the biggest waves ever surfed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The beach is a part of a traditional fishing village and measures to be 1.5 kilometers long. If you aren’t much into surfing, you may simply lie down on the sandy shore or take a leisurely stroll on a pleasant evening. If you are interested, you may also walk down to Miradouro do Suberco which is an observation deck offering breathtaking vistas of the sea and the beach. 

10. Beach Zambujeira do Mar 

Image Source: flickr.com

Escape the chaos of urban life and head towards Beach Zambujeira do Mar which is surrounded by countryside beauty and is blessed with a peaceful vibe. Although the beach experiences rush during summers, it hardly sees any crowd at other times, letting you have the sandy stretch all to yourself. Due to the strong waves, the beach is popular amongst surfers of all skill levels. Showers, restrooms, lifeguards, bars, and restaurants are a few of the facilities that you will find at Beach Zambujeira do Mar. 

Apart from the beaches in Portugal listed above, there are a bunch of other beaches that you can visit. These include Praia do Baleal, Praia da Adraga, Praia do Guincho, Praia da Amália, Praia da Santa, and Praia do Barril.