From the Algarve’s awe-inspiring cliffs, and the Alentejo’s secret coves, to Lisbon’s top-notch surf spots, Portugal's beach towns make a brilliant — and beautiful — base for a rewarding European vacation. With options to suit every type of traveler, including families, foodies, adventurers and night owls, read on to discover the best beach towns to visit in Portugal.
While most of the best beach towns in Portugal will suit pretty much every type of traveler, it’s worth being aware that different coastal regions — and their respective beach towns — offer their own distinct landscapes and vibe.
While we present detail on specific beach towns in Portugal below, here’s a broad-stroke overview of Portugal’s coastal regions to keep in mind when planning your Portugal itinerary.
Lagos is one of the best beach towns in Portugal © Shutterstock
Lagos is one of the Algarve’s crown jewels, and visiting this beautiful beach town is among the best things to do in the Algarve.
Known for its golden cliffs, turquoise waters, and sea caves, it’s home to some of Portugal’s most iconic coastal landscapes, including Praia do Camilo, Praia Dona Ana and the dramatic Ponta da Piedade rock formations.
Beyond its beautiful beaches, which are among the best beaches in Portugal, Lagos is loaded with charming cobbled streets, cute cafes, 16th-century buildings and vibrant nightlife, with its stunning old town blending Moorish, maritime and modern Portuguese influences.
From Faro Airport, Lagos is about 1.5 hours by car or 2 hours by train via Tunes.
Buses and transfers are also easily available.
The broad May to October period is best for beach weather in the Algarve, with July–August being the busiest peak-season period.
Meanwhile, June and September offer lovely sunshine with fewer crowds and cooler evenings.
Want more context on when to visit Portugal? Discover the best time to visit Portugal.
Off the coast of Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal
Located a mere 30 minutes from Lisbon, the chic seaside town of Cascais serves a satisfying mix of surf culture and sophisticated heritage.
Formerly a royal retreat, it’s a pretty place of sandy beaches, palm-lined promenades, and boutique shops, all against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
While beaches like Praia da Rainha and Praia da Conceição are perfect for swimming and sunbathing — ideal if you're visiting Portugal with kids — Guincho Beach is great for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Want to get more active? Cycle the scenic route to Boca do Inferno, followed by tucking into tasty seafood at a waterfront restaurant.
While here, definitely spend some time in the capital, focussing on the best things to do in Lisbon, if you’re looking to spend most of your time on the coast.
From Lisbon, take a direct train from Cais do Sodré (40 minutes). Cascais is walkable and has good bike infrastructure.
Offering warm sunny days, May to September is the best time to head here, with spring and early fall offering comfortable weather without the summer crowds.
Surfing in Nazare, Portugal © Shutterstock
Famous for its record-breaking waves — some of the highest surfed in the world — Nazaré is among the best beach towns in Portugal for blending adventure and history with enjoying excellent local food.
While the Praia do Norte draws extreme surfers and spectators, the main beach, Praia da Nazaré, is perfect for families and sun-seekers.
Other Nazaré highlights include riding the funicular up to the clifftop district of Sítio, and enjoying the town’s the proud fishing tradition, as reflected in its seafood restaurants and traditional boats.
Nazaré is located around 1.5–2 hours from Lisbon by car or bus. Buses depart regularly from Sete Rios or Campo Grande terminals.
Want wider transport context? Read up on getting around Portugal.
While June to September is best for beachgoers, surf fans should visit between October and March, when giant waves roll in.
Tavira, Portugal © Shutterstock
As beach towns in Portugal go, Tavira is one of the Algarve’s most elegant and peaceful spots.
Blending Moorish architecture, whitewashed houses and a laid-back charm, it’s scenically sited on the Gilão River, and rich in history with Roman bridges, ancient churches, and a quiet authenticity that sets it apart from more commercialized Algarve resorts.
To reach the beach, take a short ferry to Ilha de Tavira, a sandy island with dunes and calm water that’s ideal for swimming.
Meanwhile, nature-lovers, especially bird watchers, will want to head to the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Tavira is about 40 minutes from Faro Airport by car, or 1 hour by train.
Ferries to the beach run frequently in summer from the town center, or nearby Quatro Águas dock.
June and September offer perfect beach weather, with fewer tourist crowds than seen through July and August.
Not fixed on a summer vacation? Read our all-year guide to the Algarve.
Faro is the gateway to many of the best beach towns n Portugal © Shutterstock
Tucked between dramatic limestone cliffs and golden-sand coves, the former quiet fishing village of Carvoeiro is now a relaxed resort town.
As such, it’s one of the best beach towns in Portugal for a low-key, scenic vacation, thanks to its bounty of whitewashed houses and winding streets.
The main beach, Praia do Carvoeiro, is right in the town center and ideal for swimming. It’s also the base from which to take boat tours to Benagil Cave.
Into scenic walks? Be sure to hike the Algar Seco Boardwalk — a coastal trail that leads to secret sea caves and rock formations.
Located 45 minutes from Faro Airport by car, and buses run from Portimão and Lagoa.
The best time to visit Carvoeiro depends on what you most want to do.
May to October is best for sun and sea, June and September are perfect for warm weather and fewer tourists, and spring is ideal for hiking the cliffs.
The only European destination included in the World Surfing Reserves, Ericeira is located 45 minutes northwest of Lisbon.
While beaches like Ribeira d’Ilhas, Foz do Lizandro and Praia dos Pescadores cater to all levels of surfers, non-surfers can enjoy scenic walks along the cliffs, fresh seafood and gelato in the old town.
On balance, Ericeira’s vibe is youthful, bohemian, and effortlessly cool.
Buses run frequently from Lisbon’s Campo Grande terminal (about 1 hour), or drive via the A21 highway.
Once you’re there, the town is walkable.
While the surf is good around the year, May to October offers the best overall weather. for a beach-oriented break.
Alentejo, Portugal © RossHelen/Shutterstock
Located within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, Vila Nova de Milfontes presents Portuguese beach town life at its most rugged and unspoiled.
By which we mean wild beaches, natural beauty, and a slow-paced, authentic vibe, all set around the mouth of the Mira River.
On that subject, Praia da Franquia and Praia do Farol offer the chance to swim and chill where the river meets the sea, with Malhão and Aivados beaches boast broader windswept stretches of sand.
The town itself has a charming central square and plenty of local seafood restaurants.
Food lovers, take note, the Alentejo boasts some of the best restaurants in Portugal, and is a great place to gorge on Portuguese food.
Vila Nova de Milfontes is located about 2.5 hours from Lisbon by car. As public transport is limited, a car is recommended.
Spring is ideal for exploring the natural park without crowds, while June to September are best for beach weather.
Peniche, Portugal © Shutterstock
Though this rugged peninsula town has become a surfing hotspot thanks to its year-round swells and international competitions at Supertubos Beach, there’s more to Peniche than surf.
It also boasts a working port, a fortress-turned-modern-museum, and easy access to Berlenga Island, a nature reserve that invites snorkeling, hiking, and sea cave exploration.
Meanwhile, beaches like Praia do Baleal and Praia da Consolação cater to families
Peniche is just under 1.5 hours from Lisbon by car, and also served by regular bus services from Sete Rios station.
April to October is best for beach and water sports, with surf conditions best in spring and fall.
Aljezur, the Algarve, Portugal © Shutterstock
Set in the lush hills of the western Algarve, Aljezur offers an off-the-beaten-path mix of medieval charm and access to wild Atlantic beaches.
This historic town is split by a river and overlooked by a 10th-century Moorish castle, with nearby beaches like Arrifana, Amoreira and Monte Clérigo serving great surf alongside views of dramatic cliffs and tranquil coves.
Aljezur is also part of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, which makes it one of the best beach towns is Portugal for hikers and nature lovers.
Beloved by artists, with a fair few yoga retreats and organic cafés, Aljezur is also ideal if you’re looking to embrace sustainable tourism in the Algarve.
Aljezur is located 1.5–2 hours from Faro, and 3.5 hours from Lisbon by car.
While buses run via Lagos, it’s tricky to explore fully without a car.
May to October is best for beach weather, while September is good for quieter hiking conditions and surfing.
Figueira da Foz, Portugal © Shutterstock
Popular with Portuguese holidaymakers, Figueira da Foz is home to one of the widest beaches in Europe.
As such, it’s ideal for families, with an old-school resort vibe, thanks to a pretty promenade, casino, seafood restaurants and art nouveau architecture.
Activity is centred on Praia da Claridade, where beach bars, volleyball courts and surf schools are speckled in front of the dunes.
To mix things up, note that Figueira da Foz is also a great base from which to visit Coimbra and the Mondego River Valley, and features in our run-down of Portugal itinerary ideas to explore the country if you’re looking to maximise your beach time.
Figueira da Foz is around two hours by train or car from Porto, and also accessible from Coimbra (1 hour).
While here, consider spending some time in Porto after wising up on how many days you need in Porto, and taking inspiration from the best Porto beaches.
June to early September is best for classic summer-season fun.
Lisbon is close to many of the best beach towns in Portugal © Shutterstock
Just south of Lisbon, Sesimbra boasts calm beaches, and is known for its excellent seafood, and proximity to the Arrábida Natural Park.
While the sheltered Praia da California — framed by dramatic cliffs and forested hills — offers gentle waters for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding, the town’s medieval castle serves panoramic views of the coast and red-roofed streets.
Sesimbra is only 45 minutes from Lisbon by car, with a frequent bus service also running here from Lisbon.
May to September is ideal, with summer months offering the warmest water, with September especially recommended for hiking weather the Arrábida hills.
Fancy stopping in Lisbon during your vacation in one of the best beach towns in Portugal? Work out how many days you need in Lisbon, and discover the best area to stay in Lisbon for your tastes, needs and budget.
Pretty Porto Covo, Portugal © Shutterstock
Another Alentejo Coast gem, peaceful Porto Covo is tucked between rugged cliffs and golden beaches.
With whitewashed cottages, a charming town square, and quiet streets, it’s the perfect place for travelers seeking a slower-paced vacation.
Nearby, Praia dos Buizinhos and Praia do Espingardeiro deliver postcard-perfect cove scenery, while Ilha do Pessegueiro — a small island with a fortress ruin — adds intrigue.
Porto Covo is located two hours south of Lisbon by car. Note that limited buses serve the village, so a car is recommended to fully explore the coastline.
June to September is best for swimming and sunbathing, while the quieter spring and fall seasons invite serene hiking adventures — Porto Covo is a popular stop on the Rota Vicentina trail.
Love heading off the beaten track? Discover the best places to get off the tourist trail in Portugal.
Alentejo, Portugal © Shutterstock
Perched above a dramatic beach, the cliff-top village of Zambujeira do Mar offersone of Portugal’s most spectacular coastal settings — a wild stretch of golden sand framed by rock walls and tidal pools.
Part of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, it’s famed for its raw beauty, surfable waves and sublime sunsets.
The town remains relatively undeveloped, with a bohemian charm beloved by backpackers, hikers and surfers.
Zambujeira do Mar is around 2.5 hours by car from Lisbon and Faro. Limited buses are available via Odemira.
Visit in July and August for warm water and a summer festival vibe, while May, June and September are great for those seeking more peace.
Need more convincing about choosing Portugal as your vacation destination? Discover more reasons to visit Portugal.
Porto, Portugal © Shutterstock
Just a few kilometers from Porto, Matosinhos offers the best of both worlds. Namely, access to a fine city and the sea.
As such, this urban beach destination is ideal for those who want to balance a cultural trip to Porto with days stretched out on the sand.
Talking of sand, Praia de Matosinhos is a broad, sandy beach ideal for surfing and having fun in the sun. It's also something of a culinary hotspot, with stacks of seafood restaurants clustered around the fishing port.
Good news! Matosinhos is reachable in 20–30 minutes by Metro (Line A) from Porto’s city center.
Matosinhos is a year-round destination thanks to its proximity to Porto’s attractions, but June to September are best for the warmest weather and liveliest beach vibe.
Considering basing yourself in Porto? Read up on the best places to stay in Porto.
Porto is close to plenty of pretty beach towns © Shutterstock
Just north of Porto, pretty Vila do Conde is rich in heritage, and relaxed in pace, with an aqueduct, the Monastery of Santa Clara, and a traditional shipbuilding museum on hand to keep history buffs happy.
A favorite among Portuguese families and travelers looking to avoid over-tourism, Vila do Conde’s elegant town center boasts elegant squares, riverside cafés, with Praia Azul great for families and couples alike.
Vila do Conde is easily accessible from Porto by Metro (Line B) in about 45 minutes.
Again, June to September are best for beach weather and lively outdoor dining, while spring and early fall are good for a mix of sightseeing and coastal walks in mild temperatures.
Ready to take a trip tp Portugal? Before taking the plunge, wise up with our guide to how to plan a trip to Portugal, and our Portugal travel trips.
Not keen on planning? Contact our local Portugal travel experts — they can curate your perfect Portugal itinerary for any duration.
For a taste of what to expect, see our 5 days in Portugal itinerary if you're looking for a shorter break.
Hoping to stay longer? See our suggested 7 days in Portugal itinerary, and 10 days in Portugal itinerary ideas.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 29.05.2025
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