Trip Ideas Beach Vacations 11 of the Best Beaches in Portugal Here are 11 of the best beaches in Portugal for surfing, sunning, and more. By Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 19, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Kristyna Sindelkova/Getty Images Portugal is a country of gorgeous wide-open scenery, namely along its impressive 1,000-plus miles of coast. From Braga to Lisbon to Faro, the country is chock-full of beautiful beaches that people across Europe and the world flock to for long stretches of white sand, adventurous water sports, picturesque seaside towns, and dramatic features like caves, cliffs, and rock formations. Not sure where to plan your Portugal beach vacation? Look into these 11 destinations offering something for every type of traveler. Praia do Norte Philippe TURPIN/Getty Images Ready to see surfers take on some of the biggest waves in the world? Head to Praia do Norte, located to the north of Nazaré. The beach is known for its monster swells, rolling dunes, and lush vegetation. Though it's a lovely place to park an umbrella for the day, be careful when entering the water. Even when the waves are small, the water here can be rough. But, time your visit right (during the winter months), and you could see waves close to 80 feet high. Praia do Camilo Mirjam Claus/Getty Images Those looking for a more tropical feel will want to head all the way south to the town of Lagos and make their way to Praia do Camilo. Travelers have to walk down several hundred steps to reach the small cove, but the view of cliff-flanked azure waters you get on the way down is worth the trek. At the base, visitors can spend the day on the golden sand, surrounded by towering rocks that make for an excellent wind barrier. Praia do Quinta do Lago HelenVechurko/Getty Images A little ways past Praia do Camilo is an even larger beach to spread out on, Praia do Quinta do Lago. The beach stretches more than two miles, backed by grassy dunes on one side and wide-open crystalline waters on the other. To get there, travelers must walk across a 984-foot-long footbridge, but again, the view is awe-inspiring in both directions. Just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes when you do it. Zambujeira do Mar Kristyna Sindelkova/Getty Images Head down the coast from Lisbon toward Lagos and you'll stumble upon one of the cutest communities by the sea, Zumbujeira do Mar. The quaint town offers adorable shops, delicious cafes, and some of the most breathtaking cliff-top scenes in all of Portugal. At the base of town sits a large sandy beach, which can be accessed via a staircase. If you don't mind sharing the beach with plenty of other people, time a visit for August, when the entire community comes to life for the ever-popular music festival, the Sudoeste Festival. Praia de Cavaleiro AnaMOMarques/Getty Images Located on the Alentejo coast, Praia de Cavaleiro is another small spot not to be overlooked. The beach, another accessible by descending steep stairs, is typically uncrowded, making the effort to get there all the more worthwhile. It’s also a perfect piece of coast for a scenic drive, with epic views over the water from the top of the cliffs. Praia Baleal Wirestock/Getty Images A bit north of Lisbon, Praia Baleal (an island, actually) is located in the community of Peniche. The beach is known for its fine, white sand and calm waters, making it a great spot for swimming and families. If you’re looking to get active, this is the beach for you — it’s well known for its water sports, including windsurfing and bodyboarding. The Best Times to Visit Portugal, According to a Local Praia da Ursa Igor Tichonow/Getty Images As far as beautiful beaches go, Praia da Ursa is hard to beat. A visit here comes with bragging rights, as it is technically the westernmost beach in all of continental Europe. People go for the bragging rights and to get a look at Rocha da Ursa (translating to "Bear Rock"), so called because it resembles a bear with a cub on its lap. The beach is rather difficult to get to and requires a hike down a steep cliffside. There are also no facilities here, which means you’ll need to bring everything you need. But the effort is worth it as visitors are rewarded with unspoiled beauty and typically thin crowds. Praia da Comporta Santiago Urquijo/Getty Images For easier beach access, head to Praia da Comporta. The seaside community has seen a boom in visitors thanks to its Hamptons-like vibe, plentiful cafes, and high-end shops. The beach is also super easy to get to, with its own parking area, and has plenty of facilities. Restaurants and bars right on the beach keep visitors happy from sun up to long after sundown. Praia de Carcavelos Americo Lopes/Getty Images Those spending time in Lisbon can easily escape the city with a visit to Praia de Carcavelos, about an hour's drive away and accessible via public transport. The beach is very popular in the summer months, making it a prime place for those who are looking to socialize. It’s also a stellar spot to paddle out for surfers of all abilities. Newbies can snag a lesson from a number of outfitters right on the beach. Praia do Amado lleerogers/Getty Images Can’t get enough surf? Drive south to Praia do Amado, located in Aljezur. The massive beach continues on as far as the eye can see, bordered by flowing grassy dunes and with massive cliffs hugging its edges. The beach is well known for having excellent waves for everyone from beginner to pro, depending on where they paddle in. Take a lesson, or rent a board for a few days, and get to know this spot a little better. Praia Ribeira do Cavalo Henrique Westin/Getty Images Praia Ribeira do Cavalo may be one of Portugal’s best-kept seaside secrets. The absolutely ravishing beach is about a 1.5-hour drive from Lisbon, in the midst of Arrábida Natural Park. The beach has no facilities, not even trash bins or bathrooms, but its turquoise waters and soft, almost-pink sands more than make up for it. The remoteness comes with quite a commute — you can drive to Praia Ribeira do Cavalo, but the roadside parking area is tiny and quite a trek from the beach itself. Your best bet is to book a boat taxi from nearby Sesimbra.