Portugal is famed for its beautiful beaches, and along the 1,794 km of coastline are found some of Europe’s finest beaches. These beaches are as diverse and varied as Portugal, ranging from vast expanses of golden sands through to secluded coves with picturesque scenery.

If you are seeking a country that offers beautiful beaches and a glorious climate, then Portugal is the ideal holiday destination for you.
This article compiles our favourite beaches from around the country, and provides links to further in-depth guides.

Top 10 beaches in Portugal
1) Praia do Creiro (Sesimbra) 2) Praia do Almograve (Alentejo) 3) Praia do Guincho (Cascais) 4) Praia Dona Ana (Lagos) 5) Praia da Rocha 6) Tróia Peninsula (Setubal) 7) Praia do Senhor da Pedra (Porto) 8) Praia da Mareta (Sagres) 9) Praia do Barril (Tavira) 10) Foz do Arelho Obidos)

Top 10 Towns for a Beach Holiday
1) Cascais 2) Lagos 3) Albufeira 4) Tavira 5) Vila Nova de Milfontes 6) Sesimbra 7) Costa Nova 8) Nazaré 9) Praia da Rocha 10) Figueira da Foz

Below is an interactive map displaying the location of the best beaches and resort towns of Portugal. The best beaches are marked in yellow and the best resort towns are shown in green.

For this article, we have included beaches covering the whole of Portugal, and tried to provide a mixture of different beach styles (scenery, surfing, family-friendly or relaxing). This article only considered beaches on the mainland Portugal and does not include any beaches on Madeira or the Azores.

Carvoeiro is a popular holiday destination in the Algarve

There are beautiful beaches close to Lisbon

The following section provides an overview of each beach and explains why we've selected it to be in our top 10 Portuguese beaches.

Where is it? 12km to the west of Obidos
Suited for? Families, sunbathing, surfing, nature watching
Best words to describe it? Calm, nature, low-key, Portuguese
Why do we recommend it? The beach is positioned on the mouth of the Lagoa de Óbidos, and is one of the prettiest natural landscapes of central Portugal. This unique positioning of the beach means that one side is exposed to the might of the Atlantic Ocean, while the rear of the beach opens onto the calm waters of the lagoon. The town of Foz do Arelho, behind the beach, is a pleasant, low-key resort town, which is a favourite with Portuguese families.
Related articles: Obidos Guide

Where is it? East Algarve, 5km from Tavira
Suited for? Families, sunbathers, cultural holiday, photography
Best Words to describe it? Unspoilt, calm and history
Why we recommend it? Not only does the beach offer the soft sands and natural scenery of the eastern Algarve but it also provides a glimpse into the fishing heritage of the region. Lining the sand dunes are hundreds of rusting anchors (the Cemitério das Âncoras), a memorial to the abandoned tuna fishing community, which was based on the Praia do Barril until the 1960s.

Barril beach lies within the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, a reserve that offers some of the finest, unspoilt beaches of the Algarve.
Our Opinion: Tavira, the closest town to Praia do Barril, is a fantastic destination for a holiday.
Related articles: Praia do Barril – Tavira guide

There are hundreds of fishing anchors lined in the sands of the Praia do Barril

Where is it? Western Algarve, in Sagres,
Suited for? Surfing
Best Words to describe it? Wild, powerful surfing
Why we recommend it? The extreme western Algarve is a region of towering cliffs, powerful seas and stark, wind-blasted scenery. Sagres is the largest town of this region, and contains four outstanding surfing beaches, ideal for experienced surfers. Our favourite beach in Sagres, is the Praia da Mareta, as not only does it offer a vast expanse of sand, but is also within walking distance of the cafes and bars of the town.

The Praia da Mareta is slightly sheltered from the ferocity of the Atlantic Ocean, by the barren headland on which the Fortaleza de Sagres fort is positioned.

Our Opinion: Sagres is such a wonderful location for surfing because the four beaches face slightly different directions, so no matter the conditions there is always somewhere to surf.
Related articles: Sagres guide

Sagres is a popular surfing destination, and some of the best swells are in the winter months

Where is it? 9km south of Porto
Suited for? Relaxing, sun bathing, families
Best words to describe it? Traditional and pretty
Why we recommend it? The Praia do Senhor da Pedra is the distinctive and much-photographed beach of northern Portugal. Perched on a rocky outcrop along the water’s edge is a Baroque chapel. Apart from being almost instantly recognisable, the beach is surprisingly good, while the surrounding town (Miramar) is likeable and low-key.

The Praia do Senhor da Pedra is characteristic of the Costa Verde (Green Coast), with it’s dark golden sands, black basalt rock outcrops and powerful Atlantic waves. The Costa Verde is often overlooked as a holiday destination but there are many fantastic beach towns including Espinho, Vila do Conde, Povoa de Varzim and Vila Praia de Âncora.
Our Opinion: The Praia do Senhor da Pedra is just a 20 minutes train journey from central Porto and is ideal for a beach day trip.
Related articles: Porto guide – Porto’s beaches

Where is it? Tróia Peninsula,
Suited for? Sun worshipers, relaxing
Best words to describe it? Undiscovered, pristine, refined
Why we recommend it? The Tróia Peninsula is an unbroken 15km sandy coastline, and the secret hideaway for Europe’s elite and super wealthy. This immaculate coastline extends from Comporta in the south to Tróia at the northern tip of the Peninsula, while the middle sections conceal some of the quietest beaches of Portugal.

The town of Tróia buzzes in the summer and is a blend of sophistication and designer hotels, but just a short walk leads to nearly deserted beaches.
Tip: There is a regular ferry from Setubal to Tróia, and can be easily visited as a day trip from Lisbon.
Related articles: The Tróia Peninsula

The deserted Praia Atlantic beach on Tróia

The Tróia Peninsula, as seen from Setubal castle

Location: In the town of Praia da Rocha
Ideal for: Sunbathing, water sports, activities, and socialising
Key features: Vast, lively, active
Praia da Rocha stands out as Portugal's premier bustling tourist beach. Its natural beauty is so striking that it even manages to complement the towering hotels and apartments lining the cliffs above.

This beach is a hive of activity year-round. You'll find a wide range of beach sports and water activities, trendy beach clubs, and even summer festivals. Despite its popularity, Praia da Rocha's immense size easily accommodates the influx of summer tourists without feeling overcrowded.

For those seeking a bit more seclusion, the western end of the beach offers hidden coves tucked between distinctive red cliffs. These quieter spots provide a peaceful retreat from the lively main stretch.

Praia da Rocha exemplifies the best of what a busy resort beach can offer. It combines natural beauty with excellent facilities and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a top choice for visitors who enjoy an active beach scene.
Related articles: Praia da Rocha guide

The main beach of Praia da Rocha is massive

The golden sandstone cliffs of the western Algarve

Where is it? South of Lagos, in the western Algarve
Suited for? Families, sunbathing, relaxing
Best Words to describe it? Beautiful, tranquil and stunning
Praia de Dona Ana is a visual masterpiece, framed by the golden cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade headland, with soft sands meeting calm, turquoise waters. Unlike many overhyped destinations, Dona Ana actually surpasses expectations in person.

This picturesque cove offers ideal conditions for a relaxing beach day. The sheltered location creates a tranquil environment perfect for sunbathing, while the calm waters are great for families with children who want to paddle or swim.

However, Dona Ana's beauty and proximity to Lagos (it's within walking distance of the town) come with a caveat - it can get crowded during the peak summer months. If you're visiting in July or August, you might want to arrive early to secure a good spot on the sand.

Despite the potential crowds, Praia de Dona Ana remains one of the Algarve's most captivating beaches. Its stunning scenery, combined with good facilities and easy access, make it a must-visit for anyone exploring the western Algarve. Just be prepared to share this slice of paradise with other beachgoers during high season.
Related Articles: Lagos guide – Lagos beach guide

Location: 5km north of Cascais
Ideal for: Surfing, hiking, nature appreciation
Key features: Unspoilt, bracing, rugged
Praia do Guincho is a wild stretch of coastline set within the dramatic landscape of Serra de Sintra Nature Park. This beach faces the full might of the Atlantic Ocean, drawing experienced surfers with its massive waves and expansive, uncrowded shore.

Guincho is part of a coastline characterized by towering headlands, jagged rocks, and exposed cliffs. Its untamed beauty offers a stark contrast to the more sheltered beaches of nearby Cascais.

This beach isn't for everyone. Strong tides and an almost constant breeze mean it's not ideal for a typical beach day. However, if you're passionate about surfing, kitesurfing, or simply appreciate rugged coastal scenery, Guincho is hard to beat.

The surrounding area also offers excellent hiking opportunities, allowing you to explore the natural beauty of the Serra de Sintra up close. Despite its proximity to Cascais, Guincho feels worlds away from the bustling tourist areas, providing a slice of raw, natural Portugal.
Related articles: Cascais guide – The beaches of Cascais

The wild and rugged setting of the Praia do Guincho

The Serra de Sintra coastline with Guincho in the centre

Location: 7 km south of Vila Nova de Milfontes on the Alentejo coastline
Suited for? Nature enthusiasts and scenery admirers
Key features: Vast, untamed, pristine

Raging seas, windswept cliffs and pristine sands, the Praia do Almograve is for visitors who appreciate nature’s raw power and beauty. This beach sits within the protected Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a region of Portugal that remains largely undiscovered by mainstream tourism.

The coastline around Vila Nova de Milfontes, which includes Almograve beach, reveals Portugal's raw, natural beauty. While it's far from the country's main tourist centers, those who make the journey to this remote area are richly rewarded.

Almograve beach stands out for its striking natural scenery, but its appeal is somewhat niche. The isolated location and often blustery weather make it best suited to those who appreciate nature in its wildest form, rather than traditional beachgoers. If you're seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience and don't mind braving the elements, Praia do Almograve offers a unique and memorable coastal adventure.
Related articles: Vila Nova de Milfontes guide

The Praia do Almograve is a vast expanse of golden sands, and never gets busy, even in the summer months

Where is it? Between Sesimbra and Setubal
Suited for? Families, sunbathing and relaxing
Key features: Picturesque, unspoilt, serene
Praia do Creiro is a slice of paradise, tucked between the lush forest hills of the Serra da Arrábida and the deep blues waters of the Atlantic. These waters are uniquely calm for the western Atlantic coastline, being sheltered by the jagged cliffs of the Serra da Arrábida. Best of all it’s only a 30-minute drive from central Lisbon.

This unique blend of gorgeous setting, good facilities, and proximity to the capital makes Praia do Creiro our top choice for Portuguese beaches. Whether you're looking for a family day out or a peaceful retreat, you'll find it here on this stretch of stunning coastline.

This unique blend of gorgeous setting, good facilities, and proximity to the capital makes Praia do Creiro our top choice for Portuguese beaches. Whether you're looking for a family day out or a peaceful retreat, you'll find it here on this stretch of stunning coastline.
Related articles: The Serra da Arrábida – Sesimbra guide – Setubal guide

The stunning Serra da Arrábida National Park coastline

The Praia do Creiro is rightly regarded as one of the finest beaches of Portugal