Portugal for

Breathtaking Beaches

t Secluded Prainha, near Alvor, enclosed by rock formations

Escape the Crowds

Between Praia da Rocha’s lively party scene and Praia do Alvor, which is usually packed with summer holidaymakers, you’ll find a secluded hideaway. Prainha, meaning “tiny beach” in Portuguese, is a pretty beach near Alvor. Explore the little grottoes among the rocks here, which are inscribed with love messages.

Family Fun

Almost completely enclosed in a scallop-shell-shaped bay, calm waters lap onto soft sand at São Martinho do Porto. There are pedalos for hire, a great ice cream parlour and huge sand dunes, which make great places to play, on the other side of the bay.

Sandy Strolls

The southern Alentejan coast is great for walking. The Trilho dos Pescadores – a long-distance route – follows fishermen’s paths along the coast from Porto Covo to Odeceixe, taking in dramatic clifftops, the wide sandy beach of Zambujeira do Mar and plenty of sheltered coves.

Late ‘n’ Lively

If you want more from your beach after dark, Figueira da Foz is the spot for you. At this bustling cosmopolitan resort, locals party late into the night. As well as a long, wide stretch of sand, the town has a marina, casino and no shortage of bars and restaurants.

Seafood Spots

Pretty much any beach in Portugal will have a simple eatery cooking grilled sardines, but for a choice of restaurants head to the former fishing village of Nazaré. Pick from fresh fish, lobster, crab and other shellfish and watch the surfers riding Nazaré’s famed waves while you eat.