Best Beach Destinations to Visit in Portugal in 2023

Portuguese beaches, where can we start? Portugal is blessed with 1000 kilometers of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, and consequently, has a mild Mediterranean climate, having some of the best beaches in Europe. After a day at the beach, we know the ideal recipe, a glass of wine while enjoying the view of the warm dunes and an unforgettable landscape. Without further ado, let's dig into it. 

Which part of Portugal has best beaches? And the Best Beach Destinations to Visit in Portugal in 2023

Many readers tend to think that Portugal has only the Algarve as beach or best seaside destination, however, the coastline stretches over 1,700 km. Much of the country enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, and has some of the best beaches in Europe. Pack your gear and choose a beautiful stretch of coastline with our list of the best beaches in Portugal.

Sintra

Praia de Magoito

North of Sintra, near the village of Magoito, is the beautiful Magoito Beach. It is a place where huge cliffs rise imposing, directing our gaze along the coast to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. It is an extensive beach, with golden sands, where the sea has a beautiful turquoise blue tone. It has waters very rich in iodine, and is even considered one of the most iodine-rich beaches in Europe.

Azenhas do Mar 

This Sintra village is a picture postcard. This small beach with stunning scenery is only 30 km from Lisbon and very close to Sintra. A true picture postcard, Azenhas do Mar surprises by its geographical location, with the houses cascading down the slope of the cliff to the sea, bathed in an idealizing white light. It is one of the most appreciated beaches by bathers, with an oceanic pool that makes the delight of visitors.

Lisboa

Praia de Carcavelos (Carcavelos Beach)

Located halfway between Lisbon and Cascais, Carcavelos is the largest beach on the Cascais line and the first oceanic beach after the mouth of the Tagus River. 

Praia do Guincho (Guincho's Beach) 

One of the most beautiful beaches in the Lisbon region, about 7 km from Cascais. This beach holds magical sunsets, but it is also worth going to peek at the sunrise. The place is windy and the waves are powerful, being very popular for surfing during the fall and spring, and for windsurfing in the summer.

This is an Atlantic beach with a length of approximately 800 meters. The large stretch of golden sand, surrounded by dunes, leads to high cliffs to the north. It all ends with a breathtaking view over Cabo da Roca - the westernmost point in Europe.

Setúbal

Praia dos Coelhos (Coelhos Beach)

Praia dos Coelhos is located about 10 km away from the city of Setúbal, 15 km from Azeitão and 25 km from the town of Sesimbra. The route from the city of Setúbal is fantastic. It has a beautiful landscape to the sea, and the Tróia Peninsula accompanies almost the entire route.

Praia de Galapinhos (Galapinhos Beach)

The postcard-worthy landscape immediately captivates those who drive along the roadside. It's as if the Arrábida Mountains were embracing the Atlantic Ocean, creating a cove of Mediterranean vegetation bathed by calm, icy waters of various blues. Paradise, however, welcomes visitors with a winding path among the wild vegetation, so it is not easy to climb up and down it without some physical dexterity.

Praia de Tróia (Tróia Beach)

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Troia's seductive beaches are highly sought after for their natural setting and safety. A short walk from the marina is the white-sand Troia-Mar beach.

Portinho da Arrábida

It belongs to the Setúbal district and its beach (the Portinho da Arrábida beach), is the major tourist attraction of this small town. It is a small sandy beach next to the small settlement (village) of Portinho da Arrábida. It is at the foot of the Sierra between other beaches (Creiro and Alpertuche) in the region. As in this whole area, the waters are calm, clear, cold, and perfect for those who like to dive.

The beach is rocky and has some beach support (restaurants). In 2010, it won a distinction for being considered "one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal" - beach categories.

Alentejo

Praia da Comporta 

Situated at the southern end of the Tróia Peninsula, the enormous sandy beach of Comporta Beach is much sought after by vacationers for its ease of access, coupled with ample parking space. Being on the limits of the Natural Reserve of Sado Estuary, this beach is a preserved natural space, where the original dune vegetation is preserved, surrounded by pine forest.

Praia da Galé 

If it is not the most beautiful beach on the Portuguese coast, it is certainly among the most beautiful. It is also one of my favorites. Beach with an extensive sand and is located in the intermediate zone of the coastal arc Troia-Sagres. On the right, between Comporta and Tróia, on the asphalt line, on one side the river, wide and imposing, on the other, sky, and sea merged into a single blue. 

Praia da Ilha do Pessegueiro

The island of Pessegueiro gained fame as a refuge for pirates. Inserted in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, the parish of Porto Covo, in the municipality of Sines, is a picturesque fishing village, with small white houses, which was recovered by the Marquis of Pombal after the 1755 earthquake. Beach immortalized by the well-known song by Rui Veloso, entitled "Porto Covo". It is one of the pearls of the Alentejo Coast, offering scenarios of great scenic beauty.

Algarve

Benagil 

In the Algarve, between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, are some of the most beautiful rocks and caves in the world. The best known of the rock formations is the Benagil Cave, where the Algar de Benagil is also located.

This gigantic cave is sometimes referred to as Benagil's Cathedral because of the various arches it forms, which, seen from the outside of the cave, give it the appearance of a cathedral.

Praia de Odeceixe

Beach located in a fishing village, embedded in a small valley with a paradisiacal landscape. Located between cliffs, it is cut in half by the river Ceixe, which separates the Alentejo from the Algarve. Barriers were built in the sand to try to fix the dunes. The water is cold, very rough, but with excellent conditions for surfing and canoeing. There are some restaurants where typical dishes are served. We recommend a stroll through the center of Odeceixe, a trip on the tourist train or a stop at the Miradouro da Ponte Branca.

Praia de Marinha

Located in the municipality of Lagoa, in the Algarve, the beach is surrounded by prominent cliffs of golden hues and is bathed by blue waters so transparent that allows you to see the bottom of the sea perfectly. The access to the beach is made by a wooden staircase that starts at the top of the cliff, near the parking lot, and continues until it finally reaches the sandy beach. 

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