Turquoise water, impressive cliffs, golden sand... Discover the best beaches in Portugal (mainland) and find some inspiration to plan your itinerary. Here is my selection of the 12 best Portugal Beaches, especially for those like me who love photography. They are so scenic! Have a look:
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Top 3 - Best beaches in Portugal
Portugal has one of the best coastlines in the world. It is not easy to do a selection.
Let's start with a short answer with my absolute top 3 best beaches in Portugal.
- Falesia Beach (Algarve)
- Tres Irmaos Beach (Algarve)
- Porto Covo (Alentejo)
You can find them in the complete list with large photos a little bit further in the article.
Video - Beaches in Portugal
Let's start with a short video that gives you a snapshot of the Best Beaches in Portugal. Careful, this might ignite wanderlust!
Selection of the Best Portugal Beaches
Selection
Below you will find, with photos, my selection of the Best Portugal beaches. But first some notes:
- When I write best, I mean most scenic
- Most are West Algarve Beaches as it is a stunning coast, but some are from other regions - this list does not include the River beaches.
- Some people might be shocked not to find beaches like Rocha, Cascais or Tavira island but I think that flat boring sand beaches surrounded or not by buildings are not that scenic. This list is not for doing the pancake on the sand but to admire the beauty of Portugal
- The first 4 are, to my opinion, the absolute best Portugal Beaches, the others could be moved around in my rankings.
Best Beaches in Portugal Map
Both of my eBooks contain detailed maps to help locate the most beautiful spots (including beaches) and plan your itinerary:
1. Falesia Beach
About Praia da Falesia
My absolute favorite Portugal beach is Praia da Falesia Beach.
It is a 7km long stretch of sand with high cliffs of various colors, from red to white.
Also, there is a great viewpoint to admire the whole Falesia Beach, where this photo was taken. What do you think? This cliff definitely makes it one of the most unique beaches in Portugal.
Where is Falesia Beach
In the Algarve Region, between Faro and Albufeira.
Want more? Many photos and a video in the article dedicated to Falesia Beach Portugal.
Want to stay nearby?
2. Tres Irmaos Beach
About Praia dos Tres Irmaos
Praia dos Tres Irmaos is at the eastern tip of the Alvor sands. There you can explore and get to the bays nearby where you can find amazing formations including the famous double arch on the photo above. It is quite fun exploring them, especially at high tide when you have to play with the waves to get through.
Where is Tres Irmaos
It is one of the most famous Algarve beaches and located just West of Portimao.
Want more? Many photos and a video in the article dedicated to Praia dos Tres Irmaos Beach Algarve.
Want to stay nearby?
3. Porto Covo Beaches
About Porto Covo
Porto Covo is actually a town with a series of small beaches with many different names.
Each cove has beautiful dark stones, pools, golden sands and turquoise water. Big waves roll from the ocean. It is so easy to sit on one of the benches and get lost in their beauty for hours.
Where is Porto Covo
Porto Covo is a small town in the Alentejo, on the West Coast of Portugal. If you avoid the Motorway, it is a great place to stop on your way between Lisbon and the Algarve.
Want to stay nearby?
4. Marinha Beach
About Praia da Marinha
Marinha Beach is often ranked number 1 in many lists about the Best Portugal beaches. Some guides even consider it one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
It is famous for its stunning cliffs and the colors of the water (which is very clear).
Better seen at low tide to explore the coves and rock pools. Or to be admired from one of the Boat Trips to the Algarve Caves
Where is Marinha Beach
In the Algarve region, mid-way between Portimao and Albufeira, West of the famous Benagil Cave.
Want more? Many photos and a video in the article dedicated to Praia da Marinha Algarve.
Want to stay nearby?
5. Magoito Beach
About Praia do Magoito
Another imposing cliff for my choice of #4 Best Portugal Beaches. Turquoise color, Golden Sand and an epic cliff leading the eye to the South and Cabo da Roca.
Also, from the parking, you get this awesome perspective!
Where is Magoito Beach
On the West Coast of Portugal, Magoito beach is located in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, West of Lisbon.
Want more? Many photos and a video in the article dedicated to Praia do Magoito Portugal
Want to stay nearby?
6. Camilo Beach
About Praia do Camilo
Camilo is a series of small coves with amazing rock formations. The huge staircase is definitively worth it, but you can also admire from the top of the cliffs.
Even without the blue sky and the sunbeams reflecting the turquoise water, you can see in the photo above that there are intricate coves and rocks to explore.
Where is Camilo Beach
Camilo is one of the best Algarve beaches, located just South of Lagos, near the famous Dona Ana (#8)
Want more? Many photos and a video in the article dedicated to Praia do Camilo Beach
Want to stay nearby?
7. Odeceixe Beach
About Praia de Odeceixe
I normally don't pick large expanses of Sand but Odeceixce is quite unique. Located at the mouth of the river, it has created a large beach between the ocean and the lagoon/river. And the drive to get there, along the lush valley, is very enjoyable.
However, note that it gets very busy in summer with surfers.
Where is Odeceixce Beach
At the limit of the Algarve region, on the West Coast of Portugal, another great stop as you drive from the Algarve to Lisbon.
Want to stay nearby?
8. Dona Ana Beach
About Praia da Dona Ana
The beach is surrounded by cliffs with colorful strates and has impressive sea stacks and rocky pools to explore at low tide.
However, note that it gets really crowded in Summer and during weekends.
Where is Dona Ana Beach
Dona Ana is the most famous of the Lagos beaches and an icon of the Algarve region. It is just South of the city center.
Discover it more in video and photos in the article dedicated to the Praia Dona Ana Algarve beach.
Want to stay nearby?
9. Costa Nova (Aveiro) Beach
About Praia da Costa Nova
Here is a very different type of beach. In the North of the country, lies the city of Aveiro, the 'Venice of Portugal'. Its beach is a long stretch of white sand with sand dunes and a walking board providing great views.
It is a beach with a unique atmosphere.
Where is Aveiro Beach
On the West Coast of Portugal, South of Porto and West of Aveiro.
Want to stay nearby?
10. Tres Castelos Beach Portugal
About Praia dos Tres Castelos
A long Promenade starts at Praia da Rocha and lets you admire the golden sand and high cliffs of Tres Castelos Beach. But take time to walk down in order to realize the size of its cliffs and sea stacks.
Where is Tres Castelos Beach
It is one of the most well-known beaches in Algarve, as it is located in the seaside resort of Portimao.
Want to stay nearby?
11. Evaristo Beach
About Praia do Evaristo
Evaristo is quite different from the other beaches in Algarve. It is a great place to admire at high tide as the waves crash on the rocks providing a stunning show from Mother Nature.
Where is Evaristo Beach
West of Albufeira on the Algarve coast.
More photos and a video in the article dedicated to the Praia do Evaristo Beach.
12. Gale Beach
About Praia da Gale (Lesté)
Gale does not have impressive cliffs like the others, but at its Eastern tip there are some beautiful rocks and small coves to explore. Thanks to its orientation it can be a good place to watch sunset.
Where is Gale Beach
West of Albufeira, not far from Evaristo, in the Algarve region.
Want more? Many photos and a video in the article dedicated to Praia da Gale Beach Algarve.
Best way to see the Algarve beaches and coastline
However, one of the best ways to see some of the best Algarve beaches is from the sea. You can join a boat tour to admire the amazing coastlines on the many Caves. It is an amazing experience. I loved it!
- Join a Boat tour from Portimao - Check out price and book
- or Join a boat tour from Albufeira - Check out price and book
About the Portugal Coastline and Beaches
Mainland Portugal has a coastline of 600 miles. A lot of space for beaches 🙂
And there are so many that it is impossible to keep count.
There is a tentative of listing them on Wikipedia (you can see it here)
Algarve is the most famous coast in Portugal with 200km in the South of the country. Despite facing South, it is still the Atlantic Ocean and not yet the Mediterranean!
My absolute favorite point on the Portugal coastline is not a beach, so it is not listed above but it is fascinating, so I am sharing it here: Ponta da Piedade.
It is a rugged promontory with many caves and features shaped by the sea. And it is a perfect spot to watch sunset!
You can see more on my article about Ponta da Piedade
Want to see more of PORTUGAL?
Inspired to discover the Portugal Beaches?
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