Portugal not only has a lot of coastline, but also an impressively lavish selection of fantastic beaches. The range is huge: water sports enthusiasts will find the perfect waves here, just as vacation-hungry people will find their deeply relaxing beach paradise. Of course, luxury and first-class cuisine are not neglected either.
The sound of the waves in your ear. The sun on your skin. Your feet in the sand. And then quickly into the refreshing blue of the ocean! That's all it usually takes for perfect vacation relaxation – and in Portugal, this feeling is never too far away. After all, there are so many beaches that you can hardly count them; there are definitely several hundred. Probably more than 400, maybe even over 500, and what beaches they are!
Some of the most beautiful dream beaches in Europe, indeed in the world, can be found in this country, which is a narrow strip of Atlantic Ocean in the far west of Europe, surrounded by Spain. Accordingly, the largely undeveloped coastline with many, many kilometres of beaches stretches the entire length of the country: from the famous vacation region of the Algarve in the south all the way up to Porto in the north. But that's not all, because there are also the Portuguese archipelagos in the Atlantic: Madeira and the Azores.
With such a lavish selection, vacationers are sure to find their dream beach; whether you want to relax on a lounger at a beach resort in the Algarve, prefer the seclusion of fine sandy beaches in picturesque bays in Alentejo, surrounded by cliffs and impressive rock formations, or seek the adrenaline rush of surfing in places like Nazaré, where the Atlantic Ocean, with its often rough and tumble nature, throws up high, wild waves and fulfills the wildest dreams of surfing fans from all over the world.
Of course, there is more to a beach vacation than sea, sand and idyllic landscapes, and in many Portugese destinations you can find the complete package. It's not just the Algarve that has elegant hotels and luxurious resorts, as well as a multitude of excellent restaurants that present Portuguese and international cuisine with great finesse. Some of the most excellent restaurants, such as the Ocean in the Vila Vita hotel in Porches are right in the middle of this paradisiacal seaside setting.
Presenting the best beaches in Portugal? That's basically an almost impossible task. After all, there are as many opinions on the top beach rankings as there are beaches. Nevertheless, we do have a few tips for perfect Portuguese relaxation!
Things are rural in the Alentejo. And often cosy. Wine is grown, as is rice, plus many other products that are part of the delicious traditional Alentejo cuisine. The coastal strip of Portugal's largest region south of Lisbon is suitably unspoiled, wild and a quieter alternative to the Algarve. Fortunately, there is no mass tourism here, despite the magnificent beaches, which line up in abundance between the Tróia peninsula and the small town of Sines for many kilometres, with the finest sand and picturesque dune landscapes.
The beaches also continue to the south. Even in the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina nature park, popular for hiking and mountain biking, there are bays with natural, secluded beaches between the cliffs. However, you don't have to do without exclusive flair, exquisite cuisine and elegant hotels in Alentejo, despite all its originality, as in the small town of Comporta or the fishing village of Melides.
The latter is still something of a quiet insider tip in Alentejo. Star designer Christian Louboutin recently opened the extravagant and stylish luxury hotel Vermelho, with the idyllic beach and lagoon in the immediate vicinity, of course.
Many people will be familiar with the Azores from the weather forecast because of the Azores High. As the westernmost outpost of Europe, the volcanic islands, which have bubbled up into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean over millions of years, are located around 1500 kilometres from the mainland. Swimming on the archipelago is therefore mainly on rocky or black sandy beaches or in natural pools in the ocean, with no beach at all. But there are exceptions: on the main island of São Miguel, the Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara Beach, which is around one kilometre long and extremely popular with surfers due to its waves, lies between impressive cliffs. Santa Maria, the oldest and southernmost island in the archipelago, which is also known as the sun island due to its pleasantly warm climate, also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Azores, such as Praia Formosa. The Praia de São Lourenço, which lies in a crescent-shaped bay, is also exceptional. The surrounding mountains are reminiscent of an amphitheatre and are densely planted with vines. In the Ponta Negra restaurant, you can enjoy the view with fresh fish and traditional dishes.
The Algarve is probably Portugal's best-known vacation region. After all, the beauty of the Atlantic coastal landscape in the south of the country is breathtaking. Steep, high cliffs and golden rock formations alternate here with wide, kilometre-long beaches and hidden bays; from beaches for sun-seeking holidaymakers to surfing hotspots, from Praia da Marinha to Meia Praia. In between, you will come across very different towns and villages: Sagres, for example, with the picturesque Cape São Vicente at the most south-westerly point in Europe, the package holiday centre Albufeira or Lagos, which for many is the most beautiful vacation resort in the Algarve, and not just because of its pretty old town and spectacular beaches.
The region offers hotels with irresistible sea views in every category, right up to the high-end resort Vila Vita Parc. The culinary delights are also varied; in traditional restaurants as well as in first-class gourmet institutions with two Michelin stars. Sure, many beaches get a little crowded in summer but even in a region like this, where outdoor enthusiasts find much pleasure, you will discover idyllic sandy beaches that you only have to share with a few, or no one. All of which helps make up for the fact that the Atlantic water is ... well ... refreshing.
For many, Madeira, the island of eternal spring with its rich flora, is more of a destination for hiking and nature trips or for exploring the culinary delights – from Madeira wine to scabbardfish. But a beach vacation? Madeira would probably not be the first choice for that but it is possible! On the volcanic Atlantic island there are not only beaches and small bays with pebbles or volcanic sand, but also small, golden sandy beaches such as in Machico or Calheta, the latter filled with sand from Morocco.
Those who are prepared to go island hopping for a dream beach vacation can add a few days on another island in the archipelago to the north-east of Madeira: Porto Santo, also known as the golden island. You'll know why when you disembark the ferry after a two-and-a-half hour crossing. Porto Santo is just eleven kilometres long, nine of which are covered by a fine, light-coloured sandy beach, where the Atlantic washes its waves with blue-turquoise, relatively warm water. A dream!
Unbelievable! These waves that the Atlantic Ocean throws up in Nazaré, especially in winter – up to 30 metres high and sometimes even higher! In 2018, the Portuguese surfer Hugo Vau surfed the biggest wave here to date at 35 metres. The north beach is therefore definitely one of Portugal's exceptional surfing paradises. Protected by a headland, the main beach of the fishing village to the north of Lisbon is ideal for relaxing on a beach vacation. Peniche, a town around 60 kilometres further south with a large port for traditional fishing, also has wonderful beaches to offer and attracts surfing and water sports fans. You can also take a boat from there to the protected Berlengas archipelago, where you can discover not only the old fort, a lighthouse and many birds in the island landscape of Berlenga Grande, but also the next exceptional beach.
The fine-grained Praia do Carreiro do Mosteiro, just a short walk from the harbour, is very narrow and space is limited. But it delights with its dreamlike turquoise water and rugged rock faces that surround it and shield it from the wind. If you have a snorkel and diving goggles, you can watch the many fish in the crystal-clear sea.
VILA VITA PARC RESORT & SPA
The luxury resort is one of the best beach resorts in Portugal and is one of the Leading Hotels of the World. In a fantastic location, it offers an elegant ambience, first-class cuisine in eight restaurants (such as the "Ocean"), pools, a spa and direct access to Praia dos Tremoços.
R. Anneliese Pohl, 8400-450 Porches
T: +351 282 310100, vilavitaparc.com/en
VILA JOYA
Stylish and elegant; with four rooms and nine suites, the Vila Joya exudes the charm of a private villa. And then there is the exceptional culinary experience offered by Austrian chef Dieter Koschina. Two Michelin stars.
Estrada da Galé, 8200-416 Albufeira
T: +351 289 591 795, vilajoya.com
VISTA
The menus at the Vista restaurant artfully combine Mediterranean flavours with Portuguese culinary traditions. Chef João Oliveira was awarded a Michelin star for this.
Av.Tomás Cabreira 1, 8500-510 Portimão
T: +351 282 460280, vistarestaurante.com/en
AL SUD
At Al Sud in the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf Resort, you can dine with a view of the bay of Lagos. The degustation menus, prepared by Michelin-starred chef Louis Anjos, are correspondingly grandiose.
Campo de Golfe de Palmares, 8600-250 Odiáxere
T: +351 926 292617, palmaresliving.com
QUINTA DA COMPORTA
Situated between pine trees and rice fields, the wellness boutique resort offers luxurious facilities with a park, pool and spa.
R. de Alto de Pina 2, 7570-779
T: +351 265 112390, quintadacomporta.com
HOTEL VERMELHO
The first hotel by the famous designer Christian Louboutin is an exceptional luxury boutique hotel in Melides that inspires with its excitingly eclectic, personal style.
R. Dr. Evaristo Sousa Gago 2, 7570-635 Melides
T: +351 915 280511, vermelhohotel.com
SEM PORTA
Traditional Alentejo cuisine, which follows the seasons with fresh ideas and regional produce, is created in the tasteful Sem Porta.
EN 261-1, Muda, CCI 3954, 7570-337 Grândola
T: +351 269 449376, sublimecomporta.pt
HOTEL MH ATLÂNTICO
Four-star vacation hotel directly by the sea and close to Praia do Consolação. The rooms offer comfortable facilities.
Av.do Golfe, 2525-150 Atouguia da Baleia
T: +351 262 757700, mh-hotels.pt
TABERNA D'ADÉLIA
A down-to-earth taberna in the middle of Nazaré, just a stone's throw from the beach, serving traditional dishes with plenty of fresh fish and seafood on the menu.
R. das Traineiras 12, 2450-196 Nazaré
T: +351 262 552134
SANTA BARBARA ECO-BEACH RESORT
The ecologically sustainable resort is a complex of 30 modern garden villas above Santa Barbara Beach, which blends into the landscape in the north of the island.
Estrada Regional nº1, 1º Morro de Baixo, 9600-219 Ribeira Grande
santabarbaraazores.com
BALCONY RESTAURANT
The Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico in the island's capital Ponta Delgada, which was recently renovated, also includes the elegant Balcony Restaurant – with fine Azorean cuisine and harbour views.
Av.Infante Dom Henrique 113, 9500-150 Ponta Delgada
T: +351 296 302200, bensaudehotels.com
BELMOND REID'S PALACE
The legendary hotel sits enthroned on the Atlantic coast surrounded by subtropical greenery and impresses with its timeless elegance and outstanding cuisine. Afternoon tea is a classic; the William restaurant has a Michelin star.
Estrada Monumental 139, 9000-098 Funchal
T: +351 291 717171, belmond.com
RESTAURANT DESARMA
The latest addition to Madeira's three Michelin-starred restaurants. Locally inspired menus with complex flavours are served on the top floor of The Views Baía Hotel overlooking the bay.
The Views Baía, R. das Maravilhas 74, 9000-177 Funchal
T: +351 291 700220, desarma.pt
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