The captivating coastline of Portugal is a delight for the senses, with towering sea cliffs, aquamarine water, and velvety sand. Since the country is edged by the Atlantic Ocean, there are abundant beach towns to choose from—but let’s have a look at some favorites.
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Armona Island: A Hidden Paradise
Just imagine a coastal stretch with no cars, few people, and miles of soft white sand and crystal-clear water. There’s no Wi-Fi on Armona Island, which means no phones, no internet, and nothing to do except be. Kids can be kids—playing in the sand, building castles, and swimming with friends. Adults can relax on the beach, read a book, take a nap, and simply breathe in the salty, dry summer air.
The island lies just off the coast of Olhão, a city in Portugal’s Algarve, only a 15-minute drive from Faro International Airport. From the center of Olhão, regular ferries take about 20 minutes to reach the island.
Upon arrival, follow the crowd down the main street to a wooden boardwalk filled with tourist shops and restaurants. Praia da Armona Ría is the first beach along the way—a river beach where families and the bulk of the crowd settle in for the day. Continue walking farther to Praia da Armona Mar, a beach on the Atlantic Ocean that stretches far beyond the eye can see. This is the best part of the island. For even more privacy, keep walking until you find your ideal level of comfort and seclusion.
Nature lovers will enjoy searching for seashells—or sunbathing au naturel to avoid those pesky tan lines. After all, this is Europe, where topless sunbathing and natural bathing are widely accepted, regardless of age or body type.
While there are some restaurants and camping sites on the island, those seeking total isolation may want to pack towels, chairs, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, and drinks.
Though Armona Island is popular in summer, it never gets as crowded as many other beach areas in the Algarve.
São Martinho do Porto: A Seashell-Shaped Bay
Just one hour north of Lisbon, on Portugal’s Silver Coast, is the village of São Martinho do Porto.
This unique beach area sits on the north side of a sizeable sandy bay that is separated from the mighty Atlantic Ocean by a rocky headland. Through the centuries, the dynamic ocean carved a narrow gap through the headland, resulting in a seashell-shaped bay with luminous, serene water. It’s an oasis for paddleboarders, kayakers, swimmers, and those who prefer to drift for hours on an inflatable raft, basking in the sun. Although the beach has the look and feel of any high-priced Algarve resort town, São Martinho do Porto has become a haven for Portuguese families seeking an affordable beach holiday.
One side of the bay offers a mountain vista and fluffy sand dunes—the perfect spot for children of all ages. Kids wiggle and giggle their way up and down the heaps of joy, while fitness buffs hold nearby boot camps and challenge their skills climbing the unstable hills.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the wooden walkways that follow the bay from São Martinho do Porto all the way around the shell-shaped bay to Salir do Porto on the southern bank. The path reveals idyllic scenery: craggy cliffs, verdant farmland with grazing sheep, towering sand dunes, and the sound of waves crashing in the distance. Strike up a conversation with locals along the way, and just maybe they’ll tell you about a few secret pebbled beaches known as “quebradas.”
Once a beloved resort of Portuguese aristocrats and nobility, today visitors can mingle with locals in this wallet-friendly coastal gem. Portugal’s last reigning king, Dom Carlos, frequented the area with his family and once said: “There are some places where we never come back from, where we only remain.”
Figueira da Foz: The Queen of Beaches
Located 40 minutes west of Coimbra is the lively coastal city of Figueira da Foz. Here, the Mondego River meets the Atlantic Ocean to create the largest beach in the country—hence the nickname “Queen of Beaches.”
Its peculiar name translates to “fig tree at the mouth of the river,” and according to legend, there once was a fig tree at the quay where fishermen would tie up their boats. Today, Figueira—as it’s commonly called—is a popular tourist destination with a two-mile stretch of beach, buzzing nightlife, an enormous casino, and plenty to do.
Situated close to the city center is the expansive Praia do Relógio (“Clock Beach”), easy to spot by its ancient clock tower. The fine golden sand seems to go on forever, but wooden boardwalks offer easy access and protect your feet from the sizzling heat. A row of blue-and-white striped tents lines the beach, and chairs can be rented for the day.
The provocative waves entice surfers to grab their boards and head out to sea, while children build sandcastles along the water’s edge. Bodyboarders, sailors, rowers, and water-sports enthusiasts of all ages delight in the boisterous breakers.
A variety of restaurants offer full breakfast menus, along with lunch and dinner options. Mouth-watering seafood, local specialties, Portuguese wine, and delectable pastries will leave lasting memories.
Holiday accommodations range from budget hostels and hotels to five-star luxury resorts and short-term apartment rentals with full kitchen facilities. The city has a large mercado—the perfect spot to find fresh produce, meats, seafood, specialty products, and handicrafts.
Since Figueira is situated two hours from either Porto or Lisbon International Airport, visitors have the option to choose either hub. Car rentals are available at both airports for ease of travel, while other options include trains or buses.
Manta Rota: Birders’ Paradise
Situated along the Gulf of Cadiz, on the eastern edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park—a haven for migratory birds—is Manta Rota Beach. Velvety, fine white sand leads into the warm, peaceful waters of the gulf, where the depth increases gradually and safely. This makes it an ideal spot for families with small children, the elderly, and hesitant swimmers. The beach is long and wide, especially during low tide, so there’s always ample room, even during peak tourist season.
Access to the beach is via wooden boardwalks, which help protect the dunes and make it easier to reach for those with limited mobility or families with strollers. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented for the day—perfect for visitors or locals who prefer to travel light. A dozen or so restaurants offer full menus of seafood, burgers, pizza, and traditional Portuguese fare. Others offer snacks, coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks, while nearby tourist shops carry any essentials you may have forgotten. Manta Rota Beach has been ranked number two among 152 beaches in the Algarve—impressive, considering how many spectacular coastal spots the region offers.
Hike along various trails to explore the Ria Formosa Natural Park, an important ecosystem in the Algarve. Keep an eye out for flamingos, otters, badgers, a wide variety of birds and waterfowl—and if you’re lucky, even the elusive Portuguese Water Dog.
Located about thirty minutes by car from Faro International Airport, the town of Manta Rota offers holiday accommodations year-round, with lower rates available in the off-season. Even in the middle of winter, temperatures in the Algarve typically reach 55 F to 60 F during the day and feel warmer in the blazing sun. Hike for miles along the coastal wooden paths, stop at a restaurant for a cappuccino and a luscious pastry, or sip a glass of Portuguese wine for just €3 and watch the sunset over the water.
Praia da Marinha: The Heart of the Algarve
One of the most emblematic beaches in Portugal’s Algarve is Praia da Marinha. Photos of this enticing location appear on postcards and travel brochures around the world. Even the famed Michelin Guide named Marinha Beach one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe—and one of the 100 most beautiful in the world. In 1998, Portugal’s Ministry of the Environment awarded the beach the distinguished “Golden Beach” designation for its outstanding natural qualities.
Crystal-clear water packed with abundant sea life makes this an ideal spot for snorkeling and swimming. Copper-colored limestone cliffs, eroded through the ages, form unique shapes and breathtaking scenery. A long staircase leads down to the sheltered beach, where golden sand and tranquil waters await.
Walking trails wind along the towering cliffs, revealing pools of water among hidden caves, nooks, and crannies. Then, around one particular bend, at just the right moment, your jaw drops open—and there it is. Known as the “Heart of the Algarve,” this hidden gem isn’t a well-known tourist stop, but a spectacular surprise you’ll never forget. A double sea arch emerges from the water to form the top of a natural heart shape, tapering down into a V at the bottom. The heart creates a picture-perfect frame around the sapphire water below, where kayakers and swimmers float peacefully.
This area also marks the start of one of the Algarve’s most scenic hikes: the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, a 7.5-mile route filled with breathtaking coastal views.
Marinha Beach is less than an hour’s drive from Faro International Airport. It’s slightly off the beaten path, but absolutely worth the effort. During peak season, when the parking lot fills up, police often close the road into the park, so plan to arrive early in the day or visit during the off-season for the best experience.
Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!
Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!
Discover why we love a slower pace of life Portugal and info on other European countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT – Explore the Old World in Laidback Portugal.
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