We recommend various beaches on the West Coast, where winter often takes extended vacations. It’s not simple to find a beach on the West Coast, let alone lay your feet on the sand. But don’t worry: when the sun does appear, these are the ideal spots to be. The beaches are large, there is enough room for social distancing, the sea encourages you to swim or participate in board sports (surfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and so on), and you can watch the sunset from the beach bars.
Follow our tips, head west towards the Atlantic, and travel along the coast, from Ericeira to Torres Vedras.
Garrett McNamara drew nearly as much attention to Nazaré as Our Lady did. Pilgrimages to the area where the Hawaiian surfed the “Nazaré Canyon,” a wave almost 30m high, compete with visits to the sanctuary. “Welcome to the world’s biggest waves,” reads the sign in Praia do Norte.
If you like paragliding or hang-gliding (or if you want to give it a try), add this beach in the west of Portugal to your list. Salgado Beach is located right at the foot of the Serra dos Mangues and there you’ll find a school that organizes these extreme experiences. Honestly, we’ve never tried it, but we’ve seen several flights and we can assure you that, just because of the scenery, we’d like to take the wing.
Praia de São Martinho do Porto is a Paradise for large families, where children and grandchildren gather yearly in beach barracks as a refuge for the windy days. This Portuguese San Sebastián-style beach with a tranquil sea, a rarity in the West, is great for swimmers.
The beach is shaped like a minotaur, with the Óbidos Lagoon on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The dimensions change according to the tides, rain, and other weather whims, but this is undeniably an excellent beach for those who are “not so much into the sea, nor the land.” Suggested walk: the Foz do Arelho Boardwalk after sunset.
Praia d’El Rey, located on Portugal’s Silver Coast, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and world-class amenities. This beach offers golden sands and clear Atlantic waters, ideal for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. It’s adjacent to the Praia d’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, featuring a championship golf course attracting worldwide enthusiasts. Lush landscapes surround the area and provide luxurious accommodations, making it perfect for relaxation and adventure.
With a view to the Foz do Arelho beach, Lagoa de Óbidos is one of the most beautiful Lagoons of the country but also one of the least explored. For the time being, it remains a well-kept secret among those who participate in nautical sports ranging from kitesurfing to paddle surfing. One of the most popular beaches in the area is Praia do Bom Sucesso, located between the lake and the sea. It is one of the few places where one can swim without encountering large waves. Even so, keep an eye on the currents. Located on the southern edge of Óbidos Lake.
Some people bike to the beach, covering the flat 3km between Peniche and Baleal. The beach is divided into two bays, one calmer for swimming and one for beginner surfers.
The capital of the wave has become the area with the most surf camps per square meter in the country, and even the former mayor was named the “coolest” by the world championship surfers, who have had a stage there since 2009. The event is held in Praia de Supertubos (also known as Praia do Medão) and typically occurs in October. The beach garnered worldwide recognition for its tubular waves, bringing surfers and bodyboarders from all around. Molho Leste Beach, located nearby, is better suitable for swimming.
Praia da Areia Branca, located in the Lourinhã municipality on Portugal’s West Coast, is a charming beach known for its wide, sandy expanse and vibrant atmosphere. It is popular with surfers and families alike and offers consistent waves and safe swimming conditions. The beach has colorful beach huts, cafes, and restaurants, providing a lively seaside experience. It’s a great spot for both relaxation and activity, featuring surf schools and facilities for beach sports.
It’s far from being a champion in terms of beauty (in this respect, beaches like Ursa lead the way) but it’s a classic and the adjective pretty much says it all- not every trip to the beach has to involve descending 100 steps and stunning beauty. It’s one of the most popular on the Sintra coastline, with a long stretch of sand, fossils of dinosaur footprints in the immense cliffs that surround it and a busy schedule of surfing and bodyboarding competitions.
Its name comes from the fact that the river that flows into it once ran between apple orchards, sometimes carrying ripe fruit that fell into the water. A historic spot, it was once home to Sintra’s nobility and is now a family beach in the summer, although the melancholy charm of the foggy shores and the rough sea in winter is one of the region’s postcards. It has good surfing conditions.
The waterfall Effect, the perched houses, the unique light. There’s no shortage of reasons to visit Azenhas: you have to admit, it’s a real picture postcard. A former fishing village, in recent decades it has become a peaceful holiday resort and the inspiration for many painters. The geography surprises, with the houses sloping down the cliff to the sea and the rocky bay with a sea pool that is undoubtedly an attraction not to be missed, even though the sand is no more than 30m long.
It’s not a bloody civil war between North and South, but this beach ten minutes from Ericeira is a curious case of two jurisdictions. The Falcão River divides it into two municipalities: half the beach belongs to the Mafra council, and the other half to Sintra. The destination is great for walking at low tide. But beware: the scenery is tough. Don’t be surprised if you find it cold and windy. It’s probably because it’s so exposed to swells that it’s very popular with surfers and bodyboarders, who say the sea has great power. Even if you prefer to stay on your towel, it’s worth it for the long stretch of sand cut out by cliffs and you can always go for a drink at one of the beach bars.
It’s close to Cabo da Roca, Europe’s famous westernmost point, and its beauty can mobilize even the rockiest of hearts. The descent down to the beach may seem endless and even a little difficult, but it’s worth it for the breathtaking and wild natural beauty. It is even considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, the result of millions of years of erosion caused by the force of the Atlantic Ocean. With no infrastructure to support it, you have to be careful because there is little space on the sand at high tide. At low tide, you can explore the coves of Palaia, to the south, frequented by barnacle gatherers, and Pesqueiro do Abrigo, to the north. Be prepared for an hour’s walk (an hour and a half on the way back), equipping yourself with a good pair of boots, food, and drink.
Mon. to Fri. 09:00 - 18:00
Sat. 10am to 6pm * Summer
