Thorn Tree travel forum

Portugal Beaches - a helpful post

Reading so many posts asking information about Portugal, I decided to write one where I can talk to you about my favourite places. I'm portuguese, from Lisbon, 31 years old. This post is about the beaches.

Beaches - Portugal has a huge coast. In the north, the beaches are fine, but the weather is much more unstable. You get cloudy mornings and some sunny afternoons. The sea here is much more violent, the waves are bigger (some beaches are good for surfing) and the water is really cold (16 to 18 degrees).
In this area you have some beaches I recomend: MOLEDO, APULIA.
In the center you have also great beaches, specially for those who like to surf. The weather is good, however do not expect Algarve temperatures. Some beaches: PENICHE, AREIA BRANCA, NAZARÉ and a real pearl is BERLENGAS. This is a small island where you can go in the summer only. You catch a boat at Peniche. It's a very beautiful location, unspoilt, pristine ocean (a little cold) and with an ancient fort.
Gooing south towards Lisbon, the beaches are not so good because they're always crowded. Still, you can try: COSTA DA CAPARICA, PORTINHO DA ARRÁBIDA and SESIMBRA, in this last one you have diving facilities, but not so much of a underwater scenary.
Going south, by the coast, you reach one of my favourite places: COSTA VICENTINA. This area that stretches til the Algarve (Lagos) is really amazing. You have little fishering villages, few accomodation, and this is indicated for those who don't appreciate so much of a nightlife. Costa Vicentina is the ideal place for people who like big walks in deserted beaches, naturists , nature lovers and fish lovers. At night in some of the villages I describe, there are little bars, but do not expect party til morning. Watch out for a great music festival in the beach village ZAMBUJEIRA DO MAR. It's called Festival do Sudoeste, takes place between 7 to 10 August 2008 and the confirmed bands are CHEMICAL BROTHERS

• BJÖRK
• FRANZ FERDINAND
• VANESSA DA MATA
• FANFARLO
• FAT FREDDY’S DROP
• YAEL NAIM.

It's hard to pick a favourite, because this is my number one holiday location, but, I'd recommend: ODECEIXE, CARRAPATEIRA, ALJEZUR and MONTE CLÉRIGO.

Links to photos
Carrapateira: http://www.algarvewest.net/carrapateira/carrapateira_beach.jpg
Berlengas: http://leaum.blogs.sapo.pt/arquivo/forte%20das%20berlengas%203.JPG
Portinho da Arrábida: http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/1151933.jpg
Zambujeira do Mar: http://alcagoitablog.planetaclix.pt/DSC02083.JPG

If you want more info, please send me a PM.
SARA

Edited by: Sara26