1. Praia Forte do Paz, Viana do Castelo
In the northwestern district of Viana do Castelo, an hour’s drive from Porto, forested hills smoothly give way to a picturesque coastline with coves, dunes and secluded beaches, the best of which is Praia Forte do Paso. The 800-meter sandy zone was named after the destroyed fort of the 18th century: while children play pirates, adults enjoy peace and quiet even in the hot summer. Kids also like swimming: shallow natural pools surrounded by granite boulders quickly warm up in the sun. But there are no bars and cafes on the beach, so you will have to take picnic food with you.
2. Dunache de San Jacinto, Aveiro
Aveiro is an idyllic pastoral, surrounded by the ocean and the mountain peaks of Serra da Freita and Serra do Caramulo. Just to the west of the city of the same name, 1.5 hours drive from Porto, the dunes of San Jacinto flaunt – home to an incredible number of birds, a protected nature reserve with an 8-kilometer strip of the purest white sand.
There are no lifeguards and cafes on the wild beach, framed by a pine forest: well, there is no need to distract yourself from watching waders, ospreys and cormorants.
3. Praia do Baleal, Peniche
Baleal Beach is located an hour’s drive north of Lisbon, on the postcard peninsula of Peniche. Cozy lagoons are formed between the rocks — deserted, ideal for swimming and exploring the underwater world: shiny algae, mother-of-pearl shells and nimble crabs. In the northern and southern parts, the ocean is calmer, the central one is great for surfing. Walking along the coast 2 km to the north, you can find limestone cliffs with ravines and mysterious caves, as well as a whole string of bars and restaurants with fresh seafood.
4. Praia da Adraga, Sintra
Just half an hour’s drive from Lisbon, and the traveler sees charming Sintra with ancient castles, emerald forests, photogenic cliffs and coves. The most picturesque is Praia da Adraga, shaped like an elephant’s trunk. On the well-groomed sandy shore there are cliffs that give a pleasant shade in hot summer, and at low tide you can explore a small cave full of mysteries. The surroundings of Praia da Adraga are favored by surfers, but the beach itself is quiet and sparsely populated. Cape Roka, the westernmost point of continental Europe, is 5 km away.
5. Praia da Amalia, Costa Vicentina
Southwestern Costa Vicentina is a land of rocky headlands, Moorish ruins, isolated monasteries and stunning beaches. For example, Praia da Amalia, protected from the wind by jagged black rocks, is named after Amalia Rodriguez, a star of the 1940s, an orange seller who became a famous performer of fado romances. During the day, tourists bask on the beach where Amalia once learned to swim, and in the evening they admire the fishing village of Azeñas do Mar and walk along winding trails overlooking the mountains of Monchiki.