• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZag On Earth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • GREECE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • PORTUGAL
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • EBOOKS
  • TIPS
  • PUZZLES
  • ABOUT

Praia do Magoito Beach (Portugal) – Tips + Photos

Last updated on December 23, 2020 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Located in Sintra-Cascais National Park, Praia do Magoito is one of the most impressive Portugal beaches. The dark cliff of Magoito beach is well completed by the rocks, the waves and the solidified sand dune. A pleasure for those in love with wild landscapes, beaches and geology. A place not to be missed! Below is my guide to help you plan your visit.

Praia do Magoito Beach Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal things to do - Portugal beach
Quick Navigation
Why visit Magoito Beach in Portugal?
PLANNING TIPS - Praia do Magoito Portugal
The beach of Magoito - viewpoint
Beach access and solidified sand dune (fossil dune)
Photos of Praia do Magoito in Sintra Cascais
Cliffs of Magoito & Cabo da Roca

Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide

Share0
Tweet0
Pin0

This article contains affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit Magoito Beach in Portugal?

Magoito is a magnificent beach where the golden sand contrasts with the dark cliffs. And it offers easy access to a viewpoint from above!
A picture is better than words...

Praia do Magoito Portugal 1

Before we continue with photos from the beach itself, here is a short video to see the beach come alive with the waves:

You can probably understand why it made it to my list of the Best Portugal Beaches

More photos after the planning tips.


PLANNING TIPS - Praia do Magoito Portugal

How to get to Praia do Magoito

  • In the Sintra Cascais National Park, North West of Lisbon
  • Near the town of Magoito
  • Lisbon to Magoito = 1 h drive (40km)
  • Sintra to Magoito = 20min drive

This location with its GPS coordinates and planning info is included in my eBooks to help you easily plan your itinerary around Portugal:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

ssmall Road trip Iceland Travel Guide cover

13 easy-to-plan maps, 200+ photos
200+ pre-selected locations
LEARN MORE

Cover Ring Road travel guide Iceland

8 easy-to-plan maps, 65+ photos
110+ pre-selected locations
LEARN MORE

Visiting Magoito Beach

  • Facilities and restaurant
  • Easy access via ramp
  • Carpark gets full quickly in Summer
  • Good for surf and bodyboarding
  • Paradise for photographers

Accommodations:

  • You can stay in Sintra to explore the region - Check out the best rated accommodations in Sintra
  • Or you can stay closer to the beach - Check out the options in the area
restaurant Praia Do Magoito Portugal

The beach of Magoito - viewpoint

The carpark of Magoito Beach is located on top of the cliffs. This is why you can get splendid views of the long stretch of sand from above.

This is the best place to admire the impressive dark wall straight up from the beach. It presents a succession of horizontal layers, showing the formation over millions of years.

It is facing the Atlantic Ocean. This cliff leads the eye all the way to Cabo da Roca.

Praia do Magoito Portugal 2
Praia do Magoito Portugal 3

Beach access and solidified sand dune (fossil dune)

Compared to many beaches in the Algarve with hundreds of stairs to reach the beaches (e.g. Camilo or Ponta da Piedade), there is a well-maintained ramp to access the sand. This is very practical!

Sand dune at Magoito beach Portugal 1

Plus, the access (at the North end of the beach), goes down along a geological particularity. At that location the sand dune has solidified. It is also called a 'consolidated sand dune'. 

This is quite fascinating to see:

Sand dune at Magoito beach Portugal 2

The sand dune was formed by the accumulation of sand from the action of the sea and wind. According to the Portuguese Wikipedia Page, it is evaluated that it formed 10,000 years ago.

According to New World encyclopedia, it is called Lithified dunes. It is created when it becomes compacted and hardened.

Sand dune at Magoito beach Portugal 3

Photos of Praia do Magoito in Sintra Cascais

Once on the Golden Sand, the beach remains as impressive. 

For those wanting to swim, it is a mix of sand and stones to reach the water depending on the tide. Ocean water can be cold.
Because of the rocks, Small pools are created which are great for the kids.

It is considered one of the European beaches with the highest iodine concentration.

Praia do magoito Sintra 1
Praia do magoito Sintra 3
Praia do magoito Sintra 4Praia do magoito Sintra 4
Lisbon beach Magoito 1
Lisbon beach Magoito 2

Cliffs of Magoito & Cabo da Roca

To the North of Praia do Magoito you can continue walking on the cliffs and admire the waves crashing under you.

Magoito Sintra Cascais cliffs 1

As you can see with the photo below and the zoom after that, the view stretches all the way to Cabo da Roca, the most Western point of Mainland Europe. You can see its lighthouse.

Magoito Sintra Cascais cliffs 2
Cabo da roca Portugal
Magoito Sintra Cascais cliffs 3

Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

PREVIOUS: 

PRAIA DA ADRAGA BEACH

NEXT: 

Algarve - things to do

Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal destinations

Don't you find this cliff mesmerizing?

Share0
Tweet0
Pin0

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Praia da Falesia Beach (Algarve Portugal) – Tips + photos
Read More 
How to see Benagil Sea Cave (Algarve) – Boat tours + tips + photos
Read More 
5 Best Villages in Portugal (with Photos) – stunning!
Read More 
20+ Must-See Portugal Attractions (in Photos) – Best villages, palaces, beaches…
Read More 

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Search

Follow us on Facebook

Follow up on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2021 ZigZag On Earth · Log in