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The 10 Most Beautiful Beaches of Portugal

There is no shortage of beautiful and pampering beaches in our small country, but sometimes we want to taste something a little different - maybe a little more exotic or maybe a little more unusual. One of the most recommended places in Europe for swimming or water sports is sunny Portugal, where you will find quite a few great beaches with sights that you won't get to see anywhere else. But there are so many of them, so how do you choose? Here are the 10 beaches you should know in Portugal and which are recommended to go to on your next vacation there.

1. Praia da Rocha

Praia da Rocha
Some would say it is the best beach in the entire Algarve, and it is definitely a unique beach worth spending some time on, even if only for a short walk on its yellow sands. Limestone cliffs rise along its entire length, and there is the centuries-old Santa Caterina fortress. There are also many restaurants and hotels around the beach, so the destination itself is recommended for every tourist coming to Portugal

2. Praia da Falésia

Praia da Falésia
This beach is also in the Algarve, and is relatively quiet, so it is recommended that you go there if you are looking for a bit of peace. Above it there are high colorful cliffs from which you can enjoy a spectacular view towards the sea, and in the water you can engage in a variety of water sports activities, including riding jet skis, surfing and more. The length of the beach is a little more than 6 km and it is very wide, so it is also convenient to sunbathe here, and around it there are quite a lot of restaurants with local food that are worth trying. The sunset here is also spectacular, so you should stay for it

3. Praia da Nazaré

Praia da Nazaré
While the town of Nazara is known worldwide as the perfect destination for surfers, there are also peaceful stretches of beach with quieter waves where you can relax in the sun, sunbathe and bathe with pleasure. Even in the town itself there is quite a lot to do, especially in the summer, and you can go on a cruise where you will see dolphins if you are lucky

4. Praia do Baleal

Praia do Baleal
This beach is just south of Nazara, and is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy water sports. It is a great place for surfing, and it also has secluded areas that are more suitable for swimming, while on the beach itself you will find bars and cafes where you can enjoy a beer or coffee. While most come here to surf, it's still worth coming here even if you're not a fan of water sports, simply to enjoy the sea that surrounds you on all sides

5. Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo
This beach, like many others and recommended in Portugal, presents an unusual landscape configuration that makes bathing in it one of a kind. This beach is south of Lagos - a city worth a visit in itself - and in general it is considered one of the most popular in the whole of Portugal, so in the summer it can be particularly busy. When you get to it you will have to go down about 200 wooden steps, and at the bottom of them you will see carved caves and rocks that you can swim next to.

6. Praia de Tavira

Praia de Tavira
The island of Twira is a perfect place for a summer trip, and if you come to it, it would be a shame not to miss its beach. This is a protected beach, as it is part of the Ria Formosa nature reserve, where there are 11 km of beach just waiting for you to discover it. When you arrive by ferry to the island, you will see why it is one of the most recommended beaches in Portugal - this is due to its clear and calm waters, where you can bathe with pleasure and even go kayaking.

7. Praia da Costa Nova

Praia da Costa Nova
This beach is about 15 minutes drive from the center of Aveiro, a city known as the "Venice of Portugal", and you will want to get there mainly to take unforgettable photos next to the colorful houses and stroll along the boardwalk. Just be careful if you plan to swim in the water, as there are very strong currents here and it is not always recommended to bathe there. It's a perfect place for those who love the beach, but are less likely to get into the water itself

8. Praia de Santa Bárbara

Praia de Santa Bárbara
It's a bit difficult to get to this beach, because it's in São Miguel - the largest island in the Azores, which was also nicknamed the "Green Island". The dark sand, the big waves and the cliffs that rise beside it, all together make this beach a great place for water sports, swimming or belly-back. During the summer there are lifeguards here, but the rest of the year the beach is quite isolated and it is not recommended to enter its waters when there are no lifeguard services. In general, it's a very romantic place that should be visited with a partner, and there are also showers and changing rooms, as well as restaurants and cafes

9. Praia da Marinha 

Praia da Marinha 
This beach is known for its cliffs and caves, and is actually one of the most famous in all of Portugal, because it is used to advertise the country's unique landscapes. Here you can see wonderful and huge stone formations, and although the beach is not that big, it has caves and arches that make it picturesque and a place that seems to have come out of fairy tales. You should come here in less busy seasons, because in the summer it can be quite crowded.

10. Benagil Cave

Benagil Cave
This fascinating cave is one of the most popular tourist sites in all of Portugal, and is a sort of small beach that you will have to walk through the water to reach. The cave is illuminated with a large opening at the top that exposes it to the sunlight, and it is an amazing natural formation as if it was all designed to pamper those who come in a perfect place to bathe in the sea. You won't find another beach like this anywhere else in Portugal, so it's well worth coming here if you're around.
 
Photo sources: Jose A., Vitor Oliveira (1) (2) (3), * starrynight1Caroline Menezes, JCNazza, Tobi 87, Bethany Ciullo

 

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Related Topics: travel, tourism, summer, beaches, portugal, euope
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