The 12 Best Beach Vacation Destinations in Portugal

Source: InsideHook

Sun, sand, and surf await from the Algarve to the Azores.

While Portugal has many enticing attributes — from the vegetation-covered volcanic landscape of Sao Miguel and the rolling vineyards of Douro Valley to the cultural hubs of Porto and Lisbon — one of the other great reasons to visit is the abundance of spectacular beaches. The tiny nation that occupies just a slice of the Iberian Peninsula has more than 500 miles of coastline that stretches from Moledo in the north all the way down to the Algarve in the south. And don’t forget about the shores of the Azores and Madeira. That adds up to countless beautiful beaches and charming seaside villages that make the perfect sun-splashed vacation. Whether you’d prefer to settle in one spot for a week or go on a wave-seeking road trip, these are our picks for the best beach destinations in Portugal.

Lagos

One of the most popular destinations in southern Portugal’s Algarve region for myriad reasons, Lagos is a hotspot that brims with natural beauty and interesting attractions. Among its most famous — and snap-worthy — sites, Praia do Camilo lures travelers down the 200 steep wooden steps with the promise of a sandy cove, blue water, and staggering rock formations. Praia de Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade are also photogenic faves. Meia Praia is a long swath of sand that’s punctuated by colorful umbrellas, especially in the summer months. The walled old town buzzes in peak season when travelers from all over Europe and beyond fill the many bars, restaurants, hip cafes, juice shops, souvenir stores, and gelaterias (there’s no better way to cool down with the temps spike than a scoop of frosty goodness from GeIícia)

Porto Santo

While Madeira isn’t specifically known for its beaches (despite there being some pretty nice stretches to speak of) the opposite could — and should — be said of neighboring Porto Santo, an arid dot in the ocean that’s accessible via a two-and-half-hour ferry ride (to manage expectations, it’s really more of a cruise ship with a cafeteria, game room and movie theater). This 16-square-mile island brims with spectacular beaches that kiss turquoise tides. Planning a day trip? You can walk from the marina to Praia do Penedo in about 20 minutes. Further down at the southwest tip of Porto Santo lies the Ponta da Calheta, a magical spot where gorgeous waves lap sun-warmed sand, and rock formations add wild appeal. 

Madeira 

Madeira, the main island on the autonomous Portuguese archipelago of the same name, is best known for fortified wine, botanical gardens, cable cars and lush hillsides teeming with UNESCO-protected laurel forests. But the coastal charms of this water-surrounded sub-tropical paradise shouldn’t be overlooked either. A lot of the beaches in Madeira, like so much of Europe, are covered in volcanic stones and pebbles, but quite a few sandy beaches do exist — two of the most notable being Prainha do Seixal, a cliff-backed crescent near the natural pools and the larger Prainha do Caniçal on the eastern tail. Both have soft, black shorelines of volcanic origin that provide a cinematic contrast to the tides and are great spots to stop for a few photos or to spend the afternoon.

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