Pedro DominguesAre you planning to visit the North of Portugal and therefore looking for information about the best beaches in the region to relax in the summer or just to go surfing? If this is your case, then you’re reading the right post, as I’m going to present you here with a detailed list the 30 best beaches in Nothern Portugal, with many pictures of what awaits you in each one of them.
These beaches may have colder waters than in the south of the country, but in terms of natural beauty they are as beautiful. According to my preference, I will share with you:
- The 2 best beaches in Caminha
- The 3 best beaches in Viana do Castelo
- The 3 best beaches in Esposende
- The 5 best beaches in Póvoa de Varzim
- The 4 best beaches in Vila do Conde
- The 5 best beaches in Matosinhos
- The 3 best beaches in Porto
- And finally, the 5 Best Beaches in Vila Nova de Gaia.
In total, 30 best beaches in Northern Portugal, as I mentioned. The structure of the article will be exactly this, with the beaches divided by municipalities, starting with Caminha and heading south to Vila Nova de Gaia.
MORE ARTICLES FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL: - Porto Itinerary - Things to do in Porto - Best Museums in Porto - Best Churches and Cathedrals in Porto - Best Parks and Gardens in Porto - Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto - Best Beaches in Porto - Best Day Trips from Porto - Best Matosinhos Beaches - Things to do in Matosinhos - Things to do in Vila do Conde - Things to do in Póvoa de Varzim - Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia - Things to do in Espinho - Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary - Things to do in Viana do Castelo - Things to do in Ponte de Lima - Things to do in Monção - Things to do in Valença - Things to do in Caminha - Things to do in Braga - Things to do in Guimarães - Things to do in Barcelos - Things to do in Esposende - Things to do in Arcos de Valdevez - Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary - Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park - Best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons - Douro Valley Itinerary - Douro Valley Wineries - Best Douro Viewpoints - Things to do in Peso da Régua - Things to do in Lamego - Things to do in Pinhão - Trás-os-Montes Itinerary - Things to do in Bragança - Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary - Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
Map | Best beaches in Northern Portugal
Best Beaches in Caminha
With regard to Caminha, I chose two different beaches for this list of Best Beaches in Northern Portugal: Moledo Beach and Vila Praia de Âncora.
Starting with Moledo Beach, I highlight its privileged view of Mount of Santa Trega, in Galicia, which enhances its beauty, and also Ínsua Fortress, located on a small islet about half a kilometer from the coast, and which you can visit with Diver Minho, for example.
Vila Praia de Âncora, in turn, has the beach in front of the town center and therefore has good support infrastructure. In my opinion, the mouth of River Âncora stands out and, of course, the Fortress of Lagarteira, which was built to defend the Portuguese coast during the 17th and 18th centuries.
If you intend to stay overnight in Caminha or Vila Praia de Âncora, consider the following recommendations:
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bom Caminha | 8.9 | Caminha |
| Aldeamento do Camarido | 8.8 | Caminha |
| Hotel Porta do Sol | 8.2 | Caminha |
| Hotel Meira | 8.4 | Vila Praia de Âncora |
| Varandas da Sandia | 9.4 | Vila Praia de Âncora |
1. Moledo Beach (Caminha)
2. Beach of Vila Praia de Âncora (Caminha)
Best Beaches in Viana do Castelo
In Viana do Castelo, I will mention 3 different beaches to visit: Fornelos beach, North Beach and Cabedelo beach. However, it isn’t exactly Fornelos beach that I want to highlight, but Montedor landscape from Paçô beach to Carreço beach. You can go on a fantastic trail there, starting in Fornelos, full of beautiful vegetation and rock formations very typical of coastal areas. Visiting the area around Montedor Tower is one of the most fabulous activities to do in northern Portugal, in my opinion.
North beach is located, as the name implies, north of Viana do Castelo and of river Lima. As its main tourist attractions, you should visit the Areosa fort, as well as the rocky platforms on the beach that make up Pedras Ruivas Geosite, a legacy from the time of the closure of Rheic, the ocean that once separated the two main paleo-continents, Laurasia and Gondwana.
Cabedelo Beach, in turn, is immediately south of the mouth of river Lima, having an excellent camping site for travelers, and ideal waters for many water sports, such as surfing. It’s a huge sandy beach in northern Portugal.
As I did for Caminha, I leave you some accommodation tips below, useful if you are going to visit the Best Beaches in Northern Portugal from Viana do Castelo.
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Pousada de Viana do Castelo | 8.7 | Mount of Santa Luzia |
| Flag Design Hotel | 8.8 | Viana City Center |
| Casa Melo Alvim | 8.7 | Viana City Center |
| Hotel Fabrica do Chocolate | 9.0 | Viana City Center |
| Hotel FeelViana | 9.1 | Cabedelo Beach |
| Dona Emília Guest House | 9.4 | Viana City Center |
| Casa Manuel Espregueira | 9.5 | Viana City Center |
| Hotel Laranjeira | 8.9 | Viana City Center |
| Botoeira da Praça | 9.5 | Viana City Center |
| Quinta de Valverde | 9.3 | Mount of Santa Luzia |
3. Montedor Promontory – Paçô to Carreço (Viana do Castelo)
4. North Beach (Viana do Castelo)
5. Cabedelo Beach (Viana do Castelo)
Best Beaches in Esposende
In the case of Esposende, I would like to highlight Suave Mar beach, which is close to São João Baptista fort and the tourist letters “ESPOSENDE”, ideal for an excellent photograph of your adventure on the best beaches in northern Portugal. It is right next to the mouth of Cávado River!
Be sure to visit Ofir beach, further south, and then go stroll along the wooden walkways of the North Coast Natural Park. They are truly amazing, with beautiful views over Cávado River.
Finally, Apúlia beach, which will probably be your favorite of these 3 beaches mentioned. It has windmills by the sea that are one of Esposende’s main postcards! They date back to the 18th century and were used for milling and storing cereals. They were installed there to take advantage of the excellent characteristics of the wind in the region, which blows with intensity in that place!
Where to sleep in Esposende? See the tips below:
| Accommodation | Score | Location/Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| InnEsposende Sports | 8.9 | Hostel |
| The Spot Hostel Ofir | 9.7 | Hostel |
| Hostel Eleven | 9.4 | Hostel |
| Esposende Guesthouse | 9.4 | City Center |
| Villa dos Corcéis | 9.7 | Fão |
| Axis Ofir Beach Hotel | 8.1 | Ofir |
| Hotel Suave Mar | 8.5 | Suave Mar |
| CMB GuestHouse | 8.9 | Apúlia |
6. Suave Mar Beach (Esposende)
7. Ofir Beach (Esposende)
8. Apúlia Beach (Esposende)
Best beaches in Póvoa do Varzim
With regard to the Best Beaches in Póvoa do Varzim, I mention 5 in this post: Estela Beach, Aguçadoura Beach, Coim Beach, Leixão Beach, and Fish beach.
- Starting with Estela beach, it is the most northerly of this municipality, and is also one of the wildest in the region, which makes it very popular with nudists.
- Aguçadoura beach, in turn, stands out for the frequent formation of small lagoons by the sea, much appreciated by younger people. It is also there that the first wave energy park in the world was installed.
- Next are the beaches of Coim and Leixão, the latter also known as Round beach, being located in the center of Póvoa de Varzim, more precisely next to its marina.
- It is the small Fish beach, however, that is located right between the walls of the city’s marina, taking advantage of its protection against the sea waves.
Do you want to stay overnight in Póvoa de Varzim while you visit the best beaches in Northern Portugal? Check the tips below.
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Varzinn Hotel | 8.9 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Hotel Costa Verde | 9.0 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Hotel Avenida | 8.5 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| ó póboa Guesthouse | 9.2 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Siglas & Runas | 9.4 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Rêve d’Or | 8.7 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Junqueira76 Guesthouse | 8.7 | Póvoa de Varzim |
| StayInn City | 9.3 | Póvoa de Varzim |
9. Estela Beach (Póvoa de Varzim)
10. Aguçadoura Beach (Póvoa de Varzim)
11. Coim Beach (Póvoa de Varzim)
12. Leixão Beach (Póvoa de Varzim)
13. Fish Beach (Póvoa de Varzim)
Best Beaches in Vila do Conde
Moving on to the best beaches in Vila do Conde, Tourism beach undoubtedly stands out, with the fabulous Atlantic viewpoint, located on a real balcony overlooking the sea on top of the rock formations that exist near the water.
Then I cannot fail to mention the beaches of Azurara and Mindelo, south of river Ave. Both are very long, so you’ll have plenty of space to lay out your towel. The first is known for its waves, being much sought after by surf lovers; the second stands out for its rocky formations by the sea, which protect the beach from the force of the waves.
Also noteworthy is the beach of São Paio, which is next to Castro de São Paio, the only maritime fortress in the Portuguese part of the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Here there are several ruins by the sea, which are believed to date back to the 1st millennium BC, and also pleasant wooden walkways for an excellent walk around.
As I have done for the other municipalities, here are the tips for accommodation in Vila do Conde:
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Autor Guesthouse | 9.2 | Vila do Conde |
| Villa C Boutique Hotel | 8.8 | Azurara |
| Hotel Brazão | 8.6 | Vila do Conde |
| Pousada da Juventude | 9.4 | Vila do Conde |
| Casa do Rio | 9.2 | Vila do Conde |
| Mostarda Boutique Apartment | 9.7 | Vila do Conde |
| Residencial Princesa do Ave | 8.8 | Vila do Conde |
14. Tourism Beach (Vila do Conde)
15. Azurara Beach (Vila do Conde)
16. Mindelo Beach (Vila do Conde)
17. Beach of São Paio (Vila do Conde)
Best Beaches in Matosinhos
About the Best Beaches in Matosinhos, I only mention 5 of them in this list of the best beaches in Northern Portugal.
- The beach of Leça da Palmeira, which is located on the north bank of river Leça, therefore, north of Port of Leixões and city of Matosinhos. It is a beach much sought after by young people, with plenty of nightlife nearby. Of note is its Tidal Pool (access is paid), which dates back to the 1960s and was designed by the famous architect Siza Vieira. It’s just a swimming pool by the sea, but did you know that it has been a national monument since 2011?
- Matosinhos beach, very close to the city center. It is also close to the Port of Leixões and mouth of River Leça.
- Blue beach, or Conchinha beach, a very beautiful bay in the region. Nearby you will find the Lighthouse of Leça da Palmeira, the Chapel of Senhora da Boa Nova, and also Boa Nova Tea House, another building designed by Siza Vieira, also a national monument since 2011, and now occupied by a sophisticated restaurant.
- Angeiras beach, divided into South and North. It is worth mentioning the Roman Tanks of Angeiras, another National Monument, which were used for salting fish.
- And Memory beach, which has the fabulous Obelisk of Memory marking the spot where D. Pedro IV disembarked in 1832, along with the liberating army of 7500 men to face his brother D. Miguel, in the context of the Liberal Wars. There are excellent wooden walkways nearby.
Tips for where to sleep in Matosinhos:
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| MyStay Matosinhos | 9.4 | Center of Matosinhos |
| Four Points by Sheraton | 9.2 | Matosinhos beach |
| Harbour Inn Townhouse | 9.5 | Matosinhos beach |
| Porto Sea Apartments | 9.7 | Matosinhos beach |
| Terrace Matosinhos House | 9.4 | Center of Matosinhos |
| Apartamento Matosinhos Mar | 9.6 | Matosinhos beach |
| Sea & Fish | 9.5 | Matosinhos beach |
| Matosinhos Palace | 9.1 | Center of Matosinhos |
| João Beach House | 9.7 | Leça da Palmeira |
| Love Sea Apartment | 9.3 | Leça da Palmeira |
| Sea & City | 9.1 | Leça da Palmeira |
| Agudela Vista Mar | 9.5 | Agudela Beach |
18. Angeiras Beach (Matosinhos)
19. Memory Beach (Matosinhos)
20. Blue Beach – Conchinha (Matosinhos)
21. Beach of Leça da Palmeira (Matosinhos)
22. Matosinhos Beach
Best Beaches in Porto
The 3 best beaches in Porto are the following:
- The International Beach of Porto, on the border with the municipality of Matosinhos. This is an extensive beach that is very close to several key tourist attractions for those visiting Porto, namely the City Park, SEA LIFE Porto, and the Cheese Castle.
- Molhe beach, which was once an anchorage for boats, when the mouth of Douro river was inaccessible for some reason. It is, for me, the best and most beautiful beach in Porto, especially because of its pergola, which makes it one of the most romantic places for sunsets, on this list of the best beaches in Northern Portugal.
- And Carneiro beach, which is right next to the mouth of Douro. It was named after the mutton that can be found at the top of the Swiss Chalet, right on Passeio Alegre garden, which, by the way, is one of the most beautiful gardens in Porto.
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Vila Foz Hotel & Spa | 9.1 | Homem do Leme Beach |
| Bartolomeu Beach Apartments | 9.3 | Carneiro Beach |
| Lighthouse Apartment | 9.1 | Carneiro Beach |
| Liiiving in Porto Luxury Apartments | 8.7 | Carneiro Beach |
| Habitatio Foz | 9.5 | Carneiro Beach |
| Casa das Laranjas | 9.4 | Mouth of Douro |
| Casa da Belavista | 8.7 | Mouth of Douro |
| Vila na Praia Foz | 9.5 | Mouth of Douro |
23. International Beach (Porto)
24. Molhe Beach (Porto)
25. Carneiro Beach (Porto)
Best Beaches in Vila Nova de Gaia
To visit the coast of Vila Nova de Gaia, I totally recommend taking the Atlantic route using an electric bike, which you can book for free at CEAR (Educational Center for Environment in Gaia, located not far from Miramar beach). The Route consists of the maritime ecovia, and passes through all the recommended beaches below, allowing for very nice views of the ocean.
- Cabedelo do Douro beach, an authentic tongue of sand about 1 km long, right at the mouth of Douro river. This is where MEO Marés Vivas Festival (well-known in Portugal) takes place every year.
- Canide Beach, which is one of the best places to practice surfing and other water sports on the coast of Vila Nova de Gaia. It also has a small pool with heated water, ideal for children because it is very shallow.
- Miramar Beach, with the Chapel of Senhor da Rocha from the 18th century. I recommend that you take a walk along the walkways of Arcozelo, if you decide to visit this location.
- Aguda beach, famous as a place for underwater fishing. Next to it is Aguda Coastal Station, with a museum about fishing and several aquariums with marine species from that region.
- And Granja beach, which deserves mention for having been one of the beaches in northern Portugal most frequented in the past by the high aristocracy and even royalty, and also by important writers in Portugal such as Eça de Queirós or Ramalho Ortigão. It is not a very practical beach, but it is monumental, with huge rocky platforms next to the sea, especially at low tide.
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Apartamentos Céu Azul | 8.7 | Miramar beach |
| Aguda Golf Vita | 9.7 | Aguda beach |
| Blue Praia da Aguda | 9.6 | Aguda beach |
| Casa da Granja | 8.8 | Aguda beach |
| Madalena Beach Apartment | 9.1 | Madalena beach |
| OceanView Apartment | 9.8 | Salgueiros beach |
26. Cabedelo do Douro Beach (Gaia)
27. Canide Beach (Gaia)
28. Miramar Beach (Gaia)
29. Aguda Beach (Gaia)
30. Granja Beach (Gaia)
More articles about Northern Portugal
MORE ARTICLES FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL: - Porto Itinerary - Things to do in Porto - Best Museums in Porto - Best Churches and Cathedrals in Porto - Best Parks and Gardens in Porto - Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto - Best Beaches in Porto - Best Day Trips from Porto - Best Matosinhos Beaches - Things to do in Matosinhos - Things to do in Vila do Conde - Things to do in Póvoa de Varzim - Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia - Things to do in Espinho - Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary - Things to do in Viana do Castelo - Things to do in Ponte de Lima - Things to do in Monção - Things to do in Valença - Things to do in Caminha - Things to do in Braga - Things to do in Guimarães - Things to do in Barcelos - Things to do in Esposende - Things to do in Arcos de Valdevez - Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary - Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park - Best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons - Douro Valley Itinerary - Douro Valley Wineries - Best Douro Viewpoints - Things to do in Peso da Régua - Things to do in Lamego - Things to do in Pinhão - Trás-os-Montes Itinerary - Things to do in Bragança - Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary - Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
I hope you enjoyed this list of Best Beaches in Northern Portugal! 😉 Tell me which one is your favorite in the comments below! Happy travels in my country.
