Portugal has about 830 kilometres of mainland coastline, almost all on the Atlantic, plus the coasts of Madeira and the Azores. Beaches come in every kind: golden coves between cliffs, endless stretches of sand, sheltered bays and ocean beaches with surfable waves. Every year hundreds of beaches receive the Blue Flag.
Algarve
The Algarve's south coast is the most famous and has the country's warmest water. Between Lagos and Albufeira the golden cliffs form coves, arches and caves: Praia da Marinha, often listed among Europe's most beautiful, Benagil with its cave, Camilo and Dona Ana in Lagos, Falésia near Albufeira and Vilamoura. Further east, in the Ria Formosa, the sand islands off Faro and Tavira, such as Ilha de Tavira and Barril, have very long beaches and calm water. The west coast, towards Aljezur and Sagres, is wild and oceanic: Arrifana, Odeceixe, Bordeira, Beliche.
Alentejo
The Alentejo coast is one of the most unspoilt in Europe: the dunes and pine woods of Comporta, the coves of Porto Covo (see Sines), the estuary at Vila Nova de Milfontes and the cliff-backed beaches of Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar.
Lisbon and around
Near the capital there are beaches for every taste: those of the Cascais and Estoril line, reachable by train; the spectacular, windy beaches of Guincho, Adraga and Praia da Ursa near Cabo da Roca (see Sintra); the long Costa da Caparica south of the Tagus (see Almada); and the turquoise waters of Arrábida, such as Portinho and Galapinhos (see Setúbal and Sesimbra). Further north, Ericeira is the surf capital.
Centre and north
The central coast has large ocean beaches: Nazaré, Foz do Arelho (see Caldas da Rainha), Peniche, Figueira da Foz and Costa Nova with its striped houses. In the north the water is colder but the beaches are superb: Matosinhos and Gaia near Porto, Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, Ofir, Cabedelo at Viana do Castelo and Moledo near Caminha.
The islands
Madeira has few natural beaches, often pebbly, but the island of Porto Santo has nine kilometres of golden sand, and at Porto Moniz you swim in natural lava pools. In the Azores there are black sand beaches on São Miguel (see São Miguel), Praia Formosa on Santa Maria, Porto Pim bay on Faial and natural rock pools on almost every island.
Practical tips
- The water: on the west coast the ocean is cold even in summer, often between 16 and 19 degrees; on the Algarve's south coast it reaches 20-23 degrees.
- Flags: green, safe sea; yellow, you may enter the water but not swim; red, no bathing. Obeying them is essential: Atlantic currents can be dangerous.
- The bathing season, with lifeguarded beaches, generally runs from June to September; out of season many beaches have no lifeguards.
- Almost all beaches are free, with optional paid umbrella and sunbed concessions. See also surfing in Portugal and the climate.