571 Best Sights in Portugal

Cálem is one of Portugal's biggest port wine producers, and the enormous letters spelling out its name name is a landmark on the Vila Nova de Gaia skyline. The grand building on the riverbanks is an attraction in itself, and visitors have the option of enjoying fado shows and food-pairing sessions as well as taking tours of the cellars and tasting the wares.

Vast cruise ships dock at Funchal's central port, which has been given a major face-lift over recent years, and the surrounding promenade now features marinas, cafés, and manicured green spaces. The backdrop, with cloud-shrouded mountains in one direction and blue sea in the other, makes it a more than picture-worthy spot, and it's also a good place to pick up leaflets about boat tours and excursions or to stop for a bite at one of the refreshment kiosks and food trucks.

The old windmills that line Apúlia Beach are no longer in use but have been repurposed as charming rental cottages. Sand dunes protect this notoriously windy beach, making it a perfectly sheltered spot for families. The waters here are famous for their medicinal purposes because they contain high levels of iodine. You might see locals collecting seaweed, which is used as fertilizer for nearby farms. There are umbrellas and boat rentals. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: windsurfing.

About 24 km (18 miles) northwest of Torres Vedras is a broad, light sweep of sand backed by a small settlement with plenty of places to eat and drink. But if you want to get away from it all, there are cliff-top trails that are lovely for hiking. The waves here are suitable both for beginner and advanced surfers. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

This small, pretty beach next to the fishing port is dotted with rocks, so the sand is not the finest (or the cleanest, either). On top of that, the beach can get quite windy, meaning this is not the most popular spot for sunbathers. Yet it is the perfect spot to sit and watch the fishing boats sailing in and out of the port. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset.

With golden sand shipped in from Morocco, this calm, sheltered beach makes for enjoyable ocean swimming and strolling in the gentle surf. There isn't any shade, but you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Summer weekends can be extremely busy with sunbathers, who crowd onto every inch of sand. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Sesimbra's beachfront stretches the entire length of the historic downtown area, divided in the middle by a whitewashed fort jutting out to sea. The eastern side, known as Praia da California, is rocky at the far end, with some currents and small waves. During the summer it's packed with sun loungers, pedal boats, and splashing families, but it's blissfully quiet from mid-October through June. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (summer); showers (summer); toilets (summer). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Portugal’s Alentejo coast is often overlooked by beachgoers in favor of the Algarve or the Lisbon coast, but this scenic, rural, culinarily rich region is home to some of the finest beaches in Europe. While some are difficult to access, others, such as the beautiful Praia da Comporta, are well equipped to cater for visitors. Here, snow-white sands are dotted with colorful sun loungers and straw-roofed beach huts selling cocktails as well as fresh seafood, and the clear, bright blue invites you to take a cooling dip. Although one of the busier beaches in the Alentejo, this is still quieter than the beaches of the Algarve. Amenities: parking (no fee), toilets, food and drink, water sports. Best for: swimming, walking.

Still under the radar even among Lisboetas, Cova do Vapor is a fishing hamlet perched at the point where the Tagus meets the Atlantic. The soft-sand beach is Caparica's closest point to Lisbon, and while there are glorious views over the city, the rustic beach shacks make it feel like another world. While crowds of surfers pack most of the Costa da Caparica, there are still vast swaths of space on the sands and gentle dunes here. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Across the mouth of the Óbidos Lagoon, a large spit of sand juts out into the brackish tidal water. The broad expanse of sand here and the calm waters of the lagoon make it popular with families with young kids, not least because the beaches here have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag (for water quality, safety, and access) several years running. As well as the public facilities, there are several lively esplanades along the promenade. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; windsurfing.

Pretty and popular Praia da Galé, 4 km (2½ miles) west of Albufeira, has the classic Algarve rock formations that are characteristic of the region's coastline, plus a smattering of bars and restaurants. Other nice beaches lie on either side of Praia da Galé and can be accessed by foot—the walks from beach to beach are very enjoyable. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: sunset; walking.

Mammoth white sand dunes separate the calm lake at Lagoa de Albufeira from the crashing Atlantic waves on the other side. Kite surfers whiz by, families splash in the waters, and locals wade through the shallows, harvesting shellfish. It's a fascinating scene that gets very busy in summer, but the sunbathing and people-watching opportunities are unparalleled. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); water sports. Best for: walking.

Hedged in by rocky cliffs topped with the greenest of vegetation, this is one of the region's prettiest beaches. The strand is fairly narrow at high tide, but it rarely gets very crowded because it is served only by a simple café. Access to the beach is via a wooden walkway. The beach is signposted off the N247 north of Santa Cruz, where the beaches are broader but busier. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunset; surfing; walking.

This pretty bay, 2 km (1 mile) east of Albufeira is surrounded by low-rise hotels and resorts. It's relatively small compared to other beaches, and is extremely crowded most of the year. But it comes equipped with all the summer essentials, like beach beds and water sports. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); water sports. Best for: partiers.

The Praia Das Furnas lies just south of Vila Nova da Milfontes, on the south banks of the Mira River. The southeast current makes it popular with surfers, but the current is calm enough for children to swim here, too. Because it's across the river, the beach is quieter in the busy summer months. You're likely to see hikers, as the Rota Vicentina trail passes through here. You can take a ferry across the Mira River (€5 round-trip; no service in December or January) from Vila Nova. If you drive, there's a parking lot and snack bar just behind the dunes. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking. Best for: surfing; swimming.

The closest beach to town is the long, sandy Praia de Faro, which sits on the Ilha de Faro (Faro Island) 5 km (3 miles) southwest of town. The long main road is flanked by the beach on one side and cafés and restaurants on the other. Activities are limited, and in the height of summer, parking can be a struggle. In January 2025, a long-awaited new bridge was opened, improving access to the beach and reducing traffic. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; walking.

One of the most popular beaches in Madeira, Praia de Machico has calm, warm waters that are perfect for swimming. Swaying palms and rugged hills make for a picturesque backdrop. The busy promenade extending around the beach lends itself to great people-watching. Machico provides more amenities than most Madeira beaches, with two kiddie pools, chair and umbrella rentals, and a variety of water sports. There are several snack bars and restaurants, plus an excellent ice cream kiosk on the water's edge. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

About 12 km (7 miles) east of Tavira, Praia da Manta Rota is a small community with a few bars, restaurants, and hotels—the locals here swear it has the best beach in the Algarve. Its warm waters and white sands are a magnet for sun worshippers. One particularly nice strand is the offshore sandbar at the village of Cacela Velha. But beware: from Manta Rota to Faro the underwater drop-offs are often steep and you can quickly find yourself in deep water. Amenities: lifeguards. Best for: walking.

Colorful tents on the clean and coarse sand of the craggy beach Praia de Mindelo create a shield from inconvenient winds. From Vila do Conde, take the EN13 for 7½ km (4 miles) south to reach the beach access at the small fishing village of Mindelo—a drive of about 10 minutes. From Mindelo metro station, it's a 30-minute walk to the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: walking; windsurfing.

It may lack Lisbon’s sunshine, but the coast around Porto has picture-perfect beaches. Just 14 km (9 miles south of the city) is the pretty seaside town of Miramar, where a 17th-century chapel, the Capela do Senhor da Pedra, stands proudly on a rocky headland that juts out from the sandy beach. The Praia de Miramar is usually pleasantly uncrowded, and good for swimming in the summer, while the wind whips up surfer-pleasing waves in the chilly winter. The beach is a 10-minute walk from Miramar metro station. Amenities: parking (no fee); food and drink; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

South of the Cávado River, Ofir's beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand along northern Portugal's coast. Huge dunes are bordered by rows of pine trees, which give way to rocks that jut out into the water and are visible at low tide. These rock formations are known locally as "the horses of Fão." Surfers usually hang out on the beach's southern stretch, but there's plenty of room for families farther north. There are also restaurants and beach bars just behind the dunes and huts that rent out umbrellas, windsurfing equipment, and boats. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: solitude; sunset; windsurfing.

The low-key fishing village of Salema, 5 km (3 miles) west of Burgau, is blessed with a 1,970-foot-long beach at the base of green hills. The long, golden strand has cliffs at either end. This area is also popular among hikers for its vast range of trails and breathtaking views. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; walking.

This beach on a natural island that's now an artificially created peninsula has long been a surfer hangout thanks to its great waves—it's home to a well-reputed surf school. But Baleal Beach is also popular with families who lounge about under rented umbrellas. Note that there are rocks in the water in some parts of the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.

Four kilometers (2½ miles) west of Praia da Luz is Burgau, a fishing village with narrow, steep streets leading to the strand. Although the town has succumbed to the wave of tourism that has swept over the Algarve, its fine beach remains relatively unchanged. High, sloping hills encase the beach, protecting it from the northern winds. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee and no fee). Best for: snorkeling.

They say the best things come in small packages, and that's certainly the case here. A short way beyond Praia de Dona Ana, little Praia do Camilo is a hugely popular cove. Just beyond it is the Ponta da Piedade, a much-photographed group of rock arches and grottoes. Praia do Camilo is accessed via a long, wooden walkway through picturesque cliffs. At the top of the cliff restaurant O Camilo offers stunning views over the beach, and serves great oysters. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: snorkeling.

Only a five-minute walk from the center of Vila Nova de Milfontes, this is the closest beach to town, named for the lighthouse at the peninsula's tip. It tends to fill up quickly on weekends in summer and has a seasonal beach bar. The river and ocean currents mixing here can be strong during the winter months, so children should be closely supervised while swimming. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking. Best for: sunset.

This long, soft stretch of sand is adjacent to Praia da Baleeira, and hosts several professional surfing events each year. Good wave formations make it very popular among local surf enthusiasts. Again, it's very windy—so some may be put off spending the day here. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise; sunset; surfing; windsurfing.

Crashing waves, jagged cliffs, and tall dunes make for a dramatic view at Praia do Meco, which found fame in the 1970s as one of the first nudist beaches in Portugal. Today, this 5-km (3-mile) sweep of beach is a popular spot with surfers and day-tripping families, but those keen to get an all-over tan can head due south to Rio da Prata, a clothing-optional section of the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee). Best for: solitude; surfing; walking.

One of the most celebrated of the famous Arrábida beaches, Portinho is a photogenic crescent of golden sand and turquoise waters, flanked on all sides by pine-covered hills. A high-season car ban makes access tough in the summer months, but it's a joy to visit at any other time of year. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.