Gorgeous southern European nation Portugal is home to more than 600 miles of coastline, located on the Iberian Peninsula at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. The country's Algarve region is known as the site of some of the world's most beautiful beaches, many of which have earned the prestigious Blue Flag designation.
Apulia
Apulia is a charming Blue Flag-designated beachfront located within the municipality of Esposende, which was merged into the parish of Apúlia e Fão in 2013. The family-friendly beach is located along the far side of the Cavado River and offers ample visitor amenities, with lifeguards staffed on duty during the summer months at peak times.
Historic windmills line the sand dunes that flank the shoreline's northern end, many of which have been stripped of their sails and converted into quaint overnight accommodations. Apulia beach visitors can windsurf, kitesurf, and fish along the beach's coastline, with wooden walkways along the southern jetty area providing easy shoreline access for visitors. A concession area is offered for visitors, along with areas for sand football and volleyball games. Apulia Map
Baleal
Baleal is a secluded small island located approximately two miles north of Portugal's Peniche region, separated from the country's mainland by a tombolo sandbar. The island's name is derived from a Portuguese word meaning "whale," a reference to the island's fishing and whaling past during migration season. Today, it serves as a popular family-friendly beachfront tourist destination, offering opportunities for some of the best water sport conditions in Europe.
Gentle waves at Baleal beach make for great surfing conditions for surfers of all ages and ability levels, with opportunities also offered for bodyboarding, diving, and fishing. Visitors can also walk along the beach's gorgeous cliff-lined scenery and view the nearby ilhota das Pombas and the ilhéu de Fora.
Comporta Beach
Comporta Beach is a charming former rice farming beachfront village that has been frequently compared to international beach hotspots such as Ibiza, St. Tropez, and Montauk, known as a favorite summer destination for world-renowned celebrities such as Madonna and Christian Louboutin. The lovely bohemian beachfront, which is named for a Portuguese word referring to gated water locks, is piled high with gorgeous golden sands, showcasing blanketed landscapes of wildflowers and beautiful historic architecture nearby. Families will love the beach's playful shoreline areas and calm waters, offering opportunities for barefoot beach strolling. Visitors can also enjoy a nearby protected botanical reserve and river estuary habitat or dine at several beach shacks and caipirinhas nearby.
Comporta Beach, 7570-789 Comporta, Portugal, Phone: +35-12-65-49-99-00
Duquesa Beach
Duquesa Beach is a charming family-friendly beach located near the city center of Cascais, named in honor of the Palace of the Dukes of Palmela, which overlooks the beach's shoreline. The beach is one of Cascais' most popular visitor beachfronts along with its adjoining neighbor Praia de Conceição, easily accessible via the city's train system. Both beaches combine during low tide conditions to form one large beachfront, which is separated by the Faial Chalet at high tide but can still be explored via the Estoril-Cascais coastal promenade.
Excellent water and weather conditions make Duquesa Beach a perfect summer tourist spot, with inflatables available for rental for young children to play on its calm waters. Plenty of visitor amenities are offered, along with sunblind and sunbed rentals for secluded beachfront relaxation.
Figueira da Foz
Figueira da Foz, commonly referred to as simply Figueira, is a relaxing coastal city located along the Iberian Peninsula's Atlantic Ocean coastline at the mouth of the Mondego River, approximately half an hour from the city center of Coimbra. The popular tourist area is home to several lively beachfronts, including the Blue Flag-designated Relogio Beach, which offers accessibility features for visitors with mobility concerts and a number of children's playgrounds.
The three-kilometer Rainha das Praias is Portugal's longest public beachfront, offering gorgeous expanses of fine white sands and a variety of oceanfront cafes. Other popular beachfront spots include the former fishing village Buarcos, the unspoiled Murtinheira sand dune area, and the popular surfing beach Quiaios. Visitors to Figueira da Foz can also enjoy a myriad of gambling, dining, and resort amenities at the region's casinos, as Figueria is a legal gambling zone.
Ilha Deserta
Ilha Deserta, which is also commonly referred to as Ilha de Barreta or Santa Maria Cape Island, is an unspoiled natural island located near Faro, named for a Portuguese phrase that translates as "deserted island." The gorgeous natural island is located within the Algarve and is accessible daily via ferry. Its public beachfront stretches for more than seven kilometers, offering opportunities for secluded swimming and sunbathing along its crystal-clear waterfront and gorgeous sand beach areas. Its secluded location makes it a much quieter beachfront option than many of the area's more heavily-touristed beachfronts. Ilha Deserta is also a popular naturist beach location due to its remote location and lack of development. Though most of the island remains undeveloped, a small lighthouse and pier are available for exploration, and the O Estaminé restaurant serves up delicious fine coastal cuisine.
Praia de Matosinhos Beach
Praia de Matosinhos Beach is Porto's largest public beachfront areas, located approximately 15 minutes via metro from the city's center. The spacious golden sand beach is located along the northern coastline of the Douro estuary along the city's Atlantic Ocean coastline, known as a great day-trip spot from Porto. Visitors can swim, surf, and bodyboard at the beach throughout the summer season, with lifeguards staffed on duty at peak times. Atlantic Ocean currents keep the beach's waters cool and clear even during the hot summer months. Nearby in the town of Matosinhos, visitors can top at the region's famed fish market or enjoy delectable barbecue-grilled daily catches at a variety of local restaurants.
Praia de Matosinhos Beach , Av. Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal, Phone: +35-19-15-22-55-92
Miramar
Miramar is a quaint seaside village in Portugal's Vila Nova de Gaia municipality, located near the cities of Arcozelo and Gulpilhares. The charming upscale residential area is best known for its beach of the same name, which serves as an alternative to more heavily-touristed beaches in the region, offering excellent calm swimming conditions throughout the summer months and large waves for surfing in the wintertime. Large beach houses and mansions dot the beach's shoreline, home to European arts and intellectual luminaries such as David Wyn Lloyd and Marina Pikoul. Visitors to Miramar can explore the Senhor da Pedra chapel, featured in Richard Tomes' film San Simon, enjoy tennis at the Sport Clube Alberto de Sousa, or hit the links at the nine-hole Clube de Golf de Miramar golf course. Charming cafes line the coastline, including the newly-opened Areal.
Porto Santo Beach
Porto Santo Beach is the main public beachfront of the small island of Porto Santo, located within Portugal's Madeira archipelago. The 5.5-mile Porto Santo beachfront stretches from Ponta de Calheta to Vila Baleira, offering mild weather conditions and inviting waters that are kept warm year-round by Gulf Stream currents. Though the beach is much less crowded with tourists than many of its mainland counterparts, it is still renowned internationally for its unique sands, which have been scientifically proven to help alleviate conditions such as rheumatism. Beachfront amenities include showers, snack bars, and natural palm sun shades, with frequent evening beach parties popping up at the area's beach bars throughout the summer months. Nearby attractions on the island include the gorgeous Capela do Espírito Santo church, showcasing paintings by acclaimed Flemish artist Van Cleve, and the Christopher Columbus House Museum, which presents exhibits on maritime history.
Praia da Batata
Praia da Batata is Lagos' official town beach, located just a short walk from the city's central tourist area along the southern end of the city's Avenida dos Descobrimentos. The beach is a popular family-friendly spot due to its calm, protected waters, which see almost no waves from the nearby Atlantic Ocean due to its east-facing position and large headlands. Lifeguards are staffed on duty during the summer months, when activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding are very popular with tourists. Nearby, the 17th-century Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira makes for imposing scenery, while steep cliffs frame the beach's southern end. Many restaurants, bars, and shops are located within walking distance within Lagos' city center.
Praia da Batata, 8600-513 Lagos, Portugal
