With 3000 hours of sunshine per year and over 850 kilometres of coastline - not to mention the Madeira and Azores archipelagos - it’s hardly surprising that this is one of Europe’s premier destinations.
It’s only an hour out of Lisbon but it feels like another country. This crescent of sand lapped by lapis lazuli water and backed by the forested hills of the Serra da Arrabida is accessed by what the locals call ‘the goat path’. But once there it’s totally worth. And the small beach kiosk will sell you everything you need for a day out.
There is a best of both worlds vibe here as this beach lies at the mouth of the Rio Odeceixe. Which means a sandy lagoon ideal for kids and families plus an ocean section that calls surfers all year round. The rocky bluff at one end makes an already picturesque setting all the more inviting.
There’s a fairytale quality to this sandy causeway that links the mainland to the village of Baleal, which in turn perches over the coast on its own dramatic headland. There’s water on both sides, a sheltered break for novice surfers and a smattering of beachside bars ideal for sundowners.
The locals will tell you - with a healthy dose of hyperbole - that this place is like the Grand Canyon sitting on a beach. The cliffs that abut the beach are however genuinely impressive as they balayage from rust up the top to ivory where they meet the sand. It’s also six kilometres long so you won’t be too crowded and it’s won a bunch of accolades including the only Portuguese beach to make it onto TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Beaches list.
The beach here is a belter - think pine forest out the back, grassy dunes and a one click sandy stretch - and it’s reached via a five minute ferry ride so there’s a little sense of adventure. Back in town meanwhile, there’s a medieval square and riverfront precinct ideal for promenading.
Lagos is a super cute resort town bound by 16th century walls and filigreed by cobblestoned lanes. Even if it didn’t have a primo beach, it would be worth a visit if you want to escape the crowds. But this stretch of sand between grottoes and dramatic cliffs is worth every one of the 200 steps it takes to get there. Top tip: set up your towel as close to the cliffs as possible as it can get a bit windy.
We will always have a soft spot for island beaches. It’s in the Australian DNA. Time your visit right - anytime that isn’t July or August - and the sense of remoteness and spaciousness will be amplified. The sand is the colour of perfectly cooked crumpet, there are just enough beach bars for a meal and if you want to rough it, there’s a summer campground to check out. Our choice, however, would be making a day trip out of it - it’s a 10 minute ferry ride - and basing yourself in stunning Tavira.
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