Portugal is pretty small as far as countries go, especially compared to its neighbor Spain.
The benefit of being more condensed is being closer to everything.
Portugal is also just a long rectangle.
The perk that comes along with that for this country is the amount of coastline it comes with.
In total, there are over 1,000 miles of beachfront property in Portugal.
No one in the country has to travel too far to spend an entire day in the sun.
But which beach should be on the list for those coming from elsewhere?
Since there are 352 beaches to choose from, we narrowed down a list of the top 10 for any beach enthusiast to check out.
10 Best Beaches in Portugal
1. Costa da Caparica
Just across the bridge from downtown Lisbon, and over the Tagus, is a long strip of beach called Costa da Caparica.
This is 16 miles of scenic sand dunes facing the Atlantic.
It’s rated one of the best because of how large and in charge it is.
There’s so much space, from the dunes out to the water.
Really, there’s enough room for everyone even in the height of summer.
It’s so long, in fact, that one part of the beach feels and looks different to another part.
Depending on which area you go to, it could feel like a whole new beach each time you stop by.
2. Portinho da Arrabida
The most popular beach in all of Portugal is Portinho da Arrabida.
It’s gorgeous, it’s close to the capital and was chosen as one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
If that’s not enough to make you want to visit, there’s more.
The beach is part of Arrabida National Park, which offers a feeling of seclusion from the rest of the world.
Looking back at the forests on the other side of the sand, it’s hard to imagine the biggest city in the country being so close by.
Between the impossibly clear water and the cliffs looming in the distance, Portinho da Arrabida gives off retreat vibes.
3. Praia de Odeceixe
In the south, the small town of Aljezur is home to Odeceixe Mar Beach or Praia de Odeceixe.
Portuguese citizens ranked it one of the country’s most beautiful beaches in the last decade.
Before hitting up the beach, many who look into it find reasons to stay longer and see the town, too.
There’s a lot of old-world charm in the terracotta-roofed homes of Odeceixe.
Buildings with character can be seen from the beach, which starts at the mouth of River Seixe.
Other than swimming, surfers are attracted to this beach for its outstanding waves.
4. Praia de Moledo
The northernmost beach in Portugal is also quite famous.
Whether it’s the distant mountain views or the cooler sands, Moledo Beach is known for attracting an elite clientele.
Every season, notable people in Portugal and beyond can be photographed here with their families and friends.
This is another great Portuguese beach for surfing and windsurfing because of the windy atmosphere.
If sitting on the sand isn’t enough to satisfy curiosity, there are some exploration options.
For one, Insua Fortress was built in the 1400s and can be visited on the island just off the shore.
5. Praia da Amália
Surrounded by sweeping, rocky cliffs, Praia da Amália’s name was inspired by a beloved Portuguese singer, Amália Rodrigues.
The Queen of Fado popularized Lisbon’s traditional music for interested listeners around the world.
She owned property overlooking the beach for 30 years.
Unlike other celebrities who might have barred others from access to the beach that was part of her land, she let people freely enjoy it.
As a tribute to her kindness and what she did to bring Portuguese music to the world stage, the beach was renamed in her honor.
While it’s certainly worth the trip, getting down to it can be tough.
This beach would not be considered wheelchair accessible or easily accessible.
6. Praia de São Jacinto
Just under an hour south of Porto lies a beach with endless sand dunes and a nature reserve.
Praia de São Jacinto has an average water temperature of 61°F, which makes it especially attractive on any summer day.
To add to the amenities, São Jacinto offers restrooms, showers, and even water fountains.
To be fair, this probably isn’t the best option if all you want to do is sunbathe.
Winds can get pretty strong, so you’d likely get annoyed with sand in your face more than feel like the tan was worth it.
7. Praia da Adraga
45 minutes west of Lisbon is Praia de Adraga, a beach preference of the British.
You might think they feel this way because of the unique rock structures on the shore or the stunningly clear waters.
Actually, the reason Adraga Beach was recommended is because it has been deemed a “Blue Flag” beach.
Essentially, that means it’s handicapped-accessible.
Not only is the beach friendly to use, but it’s also got a great emergency system for anyone in need.
There is also an easy to get to restaurant within walking distance from the sand.
8. Praia do Portinho da Arrábida
Just down the road from sandy neighbor Portinho da Arrabida, Praia do Portinho da Arrábida has some defining features.
For one, don’t come with your surfboard.
Due to the way this beach hugs the coast, big waves don’t really come out this way and you’ll be left with disappointment.
However, because the waters are more calm, it’s a fantastic beach for swimming and playing.
The clearest water extends so far out that it’s also extra safe.
9. Praia do Carvalho
At the very southern tip of Portugal is Carvalho Beach.
It’s a small parcel of sand but worth the view if you feel comfortable scaling down a cliff to get there.
Thanks to the means of arrival, this beach is way less crowded than others on the list.
On either side of the sand are tall rocky structures that extend out into the water.
So, it’s sort of like a cubby hole of a beach.
For your safety, do not swim close to the cliffs out of fear of falling rocks.
There are no restrooms here, so weak bladders need not attend.
Common activities at Praia do Carvalho are cliff diving, swimming, and snorkeling.
10. Praia do Carvalhal
Another “Blue Flag” beach, Carvalhal has been noticed more by travelers thanks to the Lisbon to Algarve motorway.
This spot is friendly for all kinds of beach lovers, especially the kind that want to be here all day.
There are showers, restrooms, a restaurant, as well as chair and umbrella rentals.
Temperatures average just under 70°F and there are plenty of waves for surfing.
Portugal Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Portugal Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest beach in Portugal?
Kick off one of the world’s longest, uninterrupted beaches is the Troia peninsula.
It stretches for 40 miles in total.
For a beach that sets records, you’d think that it would be overrun with tourists.
Amazingly enough, the peninsula doesn’t have that problem.
The same can be said throughout the 40 miles of coastline.
Hotels and entertainment are sprinkled here and there, but for the most part, it’s a pretty clean stretch.
Which beach in Portugal has the clearest water?
About an hour outside of Lisbon is a sheltered beach with what many views as the clearest water in the country.
Praia dos Galapinhos is surrounded by Serra da Arrabida hills as well as forests and has some of the smoothest sand around.
The water is so clear for so long that you’ll easily lose track of how far you are from the shore if you’re not paying attention.
It also helps that the waters here are so calm that not a whole lot gets blown around above or below the water.
What are Portugal's top water sports?
When most of the country is a short drive to the ocean, there’s got to be plenty of interest in water sports.
In Portugal, you’ll find competition in several areas.
The first is kayaking.
Many citizens love to enter social situations that involve kayaking.
It doesn’t even have to be a solo affair, many families have kayaks with multiple seats.
The Portuguese also love paddleboarding, jet skiing, and diving.
What beach do the locals go to the most in Portugal?
The first one that comes to mind is Carcavelos.
It’s only a handful of minutes from Lisbon and is very family-friendly.
Carcavelos isn’t necessarily the one tourists plan to check out because it isn’t overly remarkable, compared to some of the other unique beaches across the country.
It’s just an easy place to get to what’s not going to be overrun with people.
That might also be a good place for travelers to mingle with actual locals and not just plenty of other vacationers.
Portugal’s beaches offer a diverse range of experiences, from the expansive and versatile Costa da Caparica to the secluded beauty of Portinho da Arrabida.