Portugal is renowned for its stunning sandy beaches basking in the sunshine. With a coastline stretching over a thousand miles, it has every type of beach imaginable.
The beaches on the Algarve attract the most visitors. Some are a magnet for surfers, while others are more secluded and surrounded by rugged cliffs, offering fantastic landscape views. If you’re planning a luxury beach holiday to the country and need ideas on where to go, here are the best beaches in Portugal, perfect for luxury holidays.
Praia da Falésia, Albufeira
Nestled in the Algarve, Praia da Falésia is one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches and an excellent place for a Portugal villa holiday. Featuring golden white sands and crystal-clear waters surrounded by rugged cliffs, Praia da Falésia is a spacious beach extending for over 8 kilometres from Vilamoura in the east to Olhos de Agua in the west.
Despite Praia da Falésia’s location in the Algarve’s touristy section, the beach boasts a surprisingly unspoilt setting. Backed by stunning cliffs with a nature park running along the cliff tops, it has prevented the intrusion of massive tourist developments and mega hotels and resorts.
Praia da Falésia is a fantastic place to visit. It has a vast enough space for relaxing and lounging around, with wide stretches of golden sands extending its entire length. The clean seawater is semi-exposed to the Atlantic waves rolling along the Algarve coast. When the conditions are right, the waves can be ideal for surfing.
If you want to escape the crowds and are willing to walk for a few more minutes, you can find near-deserted beaches in the area. Even in the peak season, these beaches do not attract many crowds. Praia da Falésia’s vast space means it’s an ideal choice to relax in the summer season, while many of the other beaches in the region are full of crowds.
Praia da Samouqeira, Aljezur
Aljezur is a charming coastal town in the Algarve, home to some of Portugal’s most stunning beaches, such as the Praia da Samouqueira. The beach boasts a scenic setting, featuring beautiful golden sand interspersing with rocky stretches. Its beautiful blue waters offer the perfect setting for snorkelling and diving. In fact, Praia da Samouqueira is a haven for outdoor enthusiast keen on exploring nature and taking on adventures.
Praia da Samouqeira is the last beach in the vast sandy stretches set amongst the rocks, along with Vieirinha, Foz, and Burrinho beaches. While it can be an effort to reach, its stunning natural beauty will make your efforts well worth it. Due to its rocky setting, only a few people will visit Praia da Samouqeira.
Visiting Praia da Samouqeira requires hiking through a dangerously high trail from Rogil. You can walk through a steep staircase connecting the beach to the cliff. During low tide, you can visit the sea caves along the shore.
Praia de Benagil, Lagoa
Located in the town of Lagoa, Praia de Benagil is a small sandy beach in a beautiful fishing village. Nowadays, you can still see fishermen with their fishing boats along the beach. As one of the best beaches in the Algarve, Praia de Benagil is often full of tourist crowds, especially during the peak season. Featuring crystal-clear waters with stunning cliffs on the backdrop, Praia de Benagil is a beautiful beach that’s a must-visit for anyone heading to the Algarve for a beach getaway.
Because of its vast size, Praia de Benagil doesn’t get crowded too quickly, even during the summer months when it attracts a significant number of tourists. You will always find a quiet spot to lie down and work on your tan. Don’t forget to bring a mat or towel since the beach does not have rental facilities for sunbeds.
The best way to get to Praia de Benagil is by car, as it’s only a short drive from Carvoeiro town. You will find a free car park at the top of the hill when you get to the beach. Those who can’t drive can book with tour companies offering day trips to Benagil Beach from anywhere in the Algarve.
Costa de Caparica, Lisbon
Costa da Caparica is a 15-km stretch of dune-backed beach south of Lisbon and is considered one of Portugal’s most gorgeous beaches. It’s an enormous beach divided by imaginary lines, resulting in a group of different beaches – each with a unique charm.
When you get to the northern section of Costa da Caparica, you’ll find the beaches divided by jetties to prevent erosion. Meanwhile, the beaches along the southern and central sections have blue signs as their identification.
The northern section near Caparica town is popular among surfers and families with active kids, while the central section appeals the most to the trendy crowds. Meanwhile, the remote section at the very end to the south attracts nudists. The closer to the town, the more crowded the area is, and the further south you venture, the quieter the area, with more space to yourself.
Praia Baleal
Praia do Baleal occupies a broad sweep of sand surrounded by calm waters, offering the perfect conditions for windsurfing. It’s a sheltered beach break featuring consistent surf all year round. Windsurfing in Praia do Baleal is best from the southeast, which receives a mix of wind and ground swells.
Located about 5 km north of Peniche, Praia Baleal has a unique position from a geographical perspective, offering ideal conditions for beginners to learn surfing with good options for experienced surfers to hone their surfing skills. Those interested in learning to surf can sign up for a surfing lesson at the Baleal Surf Camp, which opened in 1993.
While most visitors to Praia Baleal would come here to surf, it offers many other options for fun activities, such as tennis. You will also find swimming pools and an equestrian centre nearby.
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