Praia do Barril
Found in Tavira, in the east of the Algarve, Praia do Barill is known for its white sandy dunes and pine trees. It’s a naturist-friendly beach with a relaxing atmosphere. The fishing town of Tavira is perfect for travelers wanting to explore Portugal’s Moorish architecture, cobbled streets, and a slower pace of life. Not far away is Tavira Island, where you can take a ferry ride past salt lakes and flamingos.
Praia do Pego
Praia do Pego is one of the best beaches in the Alentejo region, which encompasses Comporta, Porto Covo, and Évora. Local restaurants, including the Praia na Comporta, designed by the famous architect Philippe Starck, offer a blend of local cuisine and international ingredients, including shrimp and organic Portuguese wines. The beach is quiet in the autumn for those wanting to enjoy a sun lounger and peaceful waves. Known for its golden sands, Praia do Pego is a perfect place to visit for anyone staying at a hotel Comporta.
Praia da Amália
The Costa Vicentina is in the south-west of Portugal and offers golden sands and the chance to spot water snakes. A unique journey through a natural reed tunnel, besides a stream, will take you to a beautiful untamed beach, Praia da Amália. The beach is named after the famous Fado singer, Amália Rodrigues, who bought a house above the cliffs. In the 1960s, she purchased 12 hectares of land and the beach itself, then gave everyone public access.
Praia da Salema
Another beach in the Algarve, Praia da Salema is a 10-minute walk from Salema. It offers clear waters and more golden sands, and isn’t far from Fortaleza de Almádena, a fort built in the 17th century during King Philip III’s reign. The fort was built to protect the tuna fishery from pirate attacks. It was abandoned after being damaged by an earthquake in the mid-18th century. The nearby Praia da Santa, a little-known beach, was described by The Guardian as “quite wild” (though Praia da Salema has lifeguards in the summer) and may reveal “tracks in the stone left by dinosaurs 125 million years ago”.
Praia da Adraga
Close to Lisbon, the tiny Praia da Adraga is home to beautiful rocks curving into the sea, and a cave during low tide. A stop at the beach is included in a “This is Sintra” tour, which lets you discover the highlights of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, one of 13 Natural Parks in the country. It contains the Castle of the Moors, built in the 8th and 9th centuries.
When to visit
Areas like Tavira and Sintra-Cascais typically have average temperatures of between 15-24 degrees between April and October, so much of the year is warm and sunny. Peak season is June to September, so visit outside those months if looking to avoid the crowds. May and October may be good months if you want a more peaceful time. There are often lower accommodation prices during these months. The Algarve is the warmest region but the Alentejo region is perfect for those wanting to relax and explore nature.
