Some beaches in Portugal deserve more credit than they get. That being said, we’re glad they don’t get the credit they deserve because if they did, you can guarantee they’ll be overrun with tourists and 100% less appealing than they are. Nobody wants to be toe-to-toe with holidaymakers on the beach.
With some of these glorious beaches, depending on the time of year, you might be the only one there. And if you’re not, you can guarantee you won’t hear the conversation of the people closest to you. They’re more secluded (some of them so secluded you have to go on a small abseiling adventure), tranquil, and pristine than any others you’d find in Portugal.
Read on to find out more.
Praia da Comporta
Portugal’s #1 best-kept secret. It’s an absolute haven if you love perfect gold sand beaches and wildlife. The marine wildlife here is some of the most mesmerising. Undisturbed by the rush of humans, there’s still a tropical array of fish that have made the shore their home. And if you go to Praia da Comporta on your lucky day, there’s a chance you’ll see a pod of dolphins swimming in the distance.
But, if you do nothing else, you’ll simply be able to melt into tranquillity. Comporta itself is also incredible. A hotel Comporta vacation or short stay often puts you in the heart of the charm of the village with the sea not far in the distance. This tropical, nature-rich paradise is a firm favourite with people in the know.
Praia do Carvalho
Praia do Carvalho, the main beach in the Algarve coast area of Carvalho, never disappoints. The unique access point through tunnels carved into the cliff over time only makes the experience more magical.
It’s only small but surrounded and concealed by sandy cliffs and rock formations of the Algarve, you can’t help but feel a world away from everyone else when you’re soaking up the sun. And, unlike a lot of the waters in Portugal, a dip in the sea won’t chill you to the core as much as other beaches. The cove shape seems to enclose the sea and create warmer waters in the summer.
Praia da Salgadeira
You know those beaches that feel like someone handed you a secret map just to find them? That’s Praia da Salgadeira.
It’s nestled along the less tourist-trodden coast of central Portugal, and even the locals sometimes forget it exists. There are no big signs, no obvious parking, and definitely no burger vans nearby. But Google Maps and maybe a direction or two from the locals will get you there. In return, you get untouched beauty, soft pale sand, and a silence so pure you can hear your thoughts.
Once you’re out on the shore, you might have the whole thing to yourself. On calm days, the water turns a soft turquoise that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.
Because of its hidden nature, there’s barely any infrastructure around. So bring a towel, water, and maybe even a picnic. But leave the noise behind. This is a beach for thinking, breathing, and getting a little sun on your face without a single person asking if you want a mojito (not that we’d turn down a mojito on the beach).
Portugal has no shortage of beaches. But these ones? They’re a different breed. You won’t find crowds, and you definitely won’t find tacky beach bars. What you will find is peace. Maybe even a dolphin. And once you’ve experienced that, the busy beaches just won’t cut it anymore.