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When I booked my trip to Portugal, I knew that there was beautiful places to see in Portugal, delicious food to eat, and incredible charm in Lisbon, but I never imagined how glorious the Portugal beaches would be. I think the Portugal beaches are some of the best beaches in Europe. I’ve also found out a lot of retirees become citizens of Portugal. Here’s my list of the top Portugal beaches you should visit. After visiting if you also wonder how to obtain citizenship in Portugal, start by learning the language! This will help you integrate fully into the society there.
The Top Portugal Beaches
1. Miramar, Porto
Just outside of Porto, Miramar beach lies in wait like a fairytale just waiting to be read. The best part is it’s usually isolated. Capela do Senhor da Pedra (Lord of the Rock) is the little white chapel that beckons you at the water’s edge.
2. Praia Dona Ana, Lagos
Praia Dona Ana is the Portugal beach that stole my heart in what I consider to be the best beach town in Portugal, Lagos. All of the beaches in Lagos were glorious, but this beach located between the cliffs really took my breath away.
This beach (along many others on this list) is located in the Algarve area of Portugal. I found this area to be a very special part of the world. There are many Algarve villas you can rent to have an incredible experience there, the food in the Algarve is like nothing else, and the scenery in the area is like nothing else in the world. If you pick one area of Portugal to visit, this should be it!
3. Praia de Falesia, Vilamoura
Photo by josep, Flickr CC
Towering red cliffs greet a Mediterranean blue sea at Praia de Falesia. There are beautiful cycling paths, and the beach is almost always empty. There are also beach chairs that you can rent.
4. Praia de Camilo, Lagos
If you are looking for seastacks, sea arches, towering cliffs, and crystal blue water this is one of the Portugal beaches you can’t miss. It’s right next to Praia Dona Ana in Lagos. It’s a small beach, so it’s usually very crowded, but the views are stunning.
5. Praia da Adraga, Azenhas do Mar (Sintra)
This is one of the Portugal beaches that has been voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe time and time again. You can really feel the ocean’s power here with its huge crashing waves and large rocks. There is an excellent restaurant here with traditional Portuguese food.
6. Ponta de Sao Lourenco, Madeira
Ponta de Sao Lourenco is one of those untouched places which is a combinations of rocks, untamed sea, and wild nature. You can hike, swim and kayak and the views are like nowhere else on earth. You can get there by bus and you can also hire a guide.
7. Praia Sao Rafael, Albufeira
Praia Sao Rafael is a blissful beach in Portugal with snorkeling, sunbathing, and even a waterfall. The waves are dramatic, and from the cliffs you can hike and see the gorgeous Algarve coastline. There is a nice restaurant on the beach, so it’s easy to stay all day.
8. Praia do Tonel, Sagres
Photo by Andrea Davis, Freeimages.com
Praia do Tonel is a beautiful Portugal beach that is great for surfing or watching the surfers from the rustic beach bar. There are towering cliffs, a sandy beach, and it’s just a short walk from Sagres.
9. Praia do Cabedelo, Minho
Photo by Carlos Lourenço, Flickr CC
Praia do Cabedelo has golden, soft sand and high grass-covered sand dunes. The beach is perfect for surfing, windsurfing or kiteboarding. There’s also a café where you can watch all the action.
10. Praia de Marinha, Carvoeiro
The Michelin Guide gave Praia de Marinha an award for being one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe, and this beach has won countless other awards, too. Old limestone formations rise up to greet you, and the sunbathing here can’t be beat. You can go through a cave to reach the next beach, and you can also hike among the tops of the cliffs.
Ahh! I love Portugal, but went when it was too cold to swim. Need to go back and try all these awesome looking beaches!
Beautiful! I haven’t been to Portugal in 20 years and we’re planning to go sometime in 2016, probably base ourselves in Porto and Lisbon for a while…but for sure want to see some of the beaches of the Algarve.
Frank (bbqboy)
It’s a shame that I live within a few hours of Lagos but have only been once (and it rained!). Thanks for fueling my wanderlust – I’ll be in Portugal in 10 days!
You will love it so much!
Never been to Portugal. Hope we can experience these beautiful beaches when we do get to visit!!!
Nice collection! Which of these beaches are family friendly, versus the ones that, um, live up to the wild Portugal beach reputation?
As minhas praias : falésia em Albufeira e Sesimbra lindas…
What gorgeous beaches! Time to go swimming…
The first one, Miramar beach, really does look like a fairytale!! SO gorgeous. I’m craving a trip to Portugal to see all of these stunning beaches, now! 😀
I highly recommend it!
I love a good beach, Miramar is my favourite out of all of these. Perfect post to read on a chilly winter’s day.
Praia Dona Ana, Lagos looks amazing – is it hard to get down to the beach? My friend is from Portugal and is always telling me all about the beaches – now I see why she is so proud of them 🙂
We planned to travel to Algarve some years ago but had to cancel at the last minute. Still regret that happened. In the meantime we have been traveling to so many places, but still Portugal is left unvisited. Porto, Lissabon and these beautiful beaches. We need to go soon! The first image of that little white chapel is stunning. I would have troubles choosing! Would one be able to drive from the south all the way up to Lissabon? Or is that not a good option?
I took the bus and it was very easy!
Praia Dona Ana is beautiful. I can see why it is your favorite!
Thanks for the great guide Valen! I love that you put the Capela do Senhor da Pedra first, I loved this beach next to Porto. This gave me a few ideas for my next trip to Portugal, can’t wait!