Pedro DominguesMatosinhos is a municipality full of excellent beaches in northern Portugal, which are in high demand in the region, thanks to their proximity to the city of Porto. In fact, it is very easy to reach Matosinhos from Porto city center to enjoy a pleasant day close to the sea.
In this article, I will guide you through what I believe are the best Matosinhos beaches, including the iconic Leça da Palmeira Beach with its stunning Tidal Pool. Ready to discover the highlights of Matosinhos’ coastline?
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 - 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 - Best beaches in Northern Portugal - Trás-os-Montes Itinerary - Things to do in Bragança - Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary - Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
Accommodation tips to visit Matosinhos
For accommodation, I recommend staying near Matosinhos Beach or Leça da Palmeira Beach. Below, I’ll provide you with some tips, but you can also discover other options directly on Booking.
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| MyStay Matosinhos | 9.4 | Matosinhos – Center |
| 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 | Matosinhos – Center |
| Apartamento Matosinhos Mar | 9.6 | Matosinhos – Beach |
| Sea & Fish | 9.5 | Matosinhos – Beach |
| Matosinhos Palace | 9.1 | Matosinhos – Center |
| 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 |
Best 11 Matosinhos Beaches
When it comes to the best beaches in Matosinhos, I have gathered a total of 11 distinct beaches, all deserving to be discovered. 😉 I will present them from south to north, providing you with a map indicating their locations.
Many of Matosinhos’ beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag and the Gold Quality Beach distinction. The bathing season usually runs from mid-June to mid-September. Naturally, you can expect cold water in all of them.
Map | Best Matosinhos Beaches
1. Matosinhos Beach
Matosinhos Beach stands out for its extensive sand. It boasts excellent support infrastructure and is highly sought after for surfing and bodyboarding. It is also adjacent to the Port of Leixões and to the mouth of Leça River, which separates it from the area of Leça da Palmeira.
You will definitely enjoy taking a seaside stroll to the Anemone Roundabout and, perhaps, to the fabulous SEA LIFE Porto aquarium further ahead. 😉 This walk is very enjoyable to do on foot!
You can also try out one of the many excellent seafood restaurants in the city, and don’t forget to look for the Monument of Tragedy at Sea, paying homage to the largest maritime tragedy of the mid-20th century (to be precise, 1947). Four fishing boats sank off the coast of Matosinhos, resulting in the loss of 152 fishermen’s lives, leaving approximately 70 widows and 150 orphans. The sculptures of the monument depict the anguish and despair of the women and children who witnessed their families being torn apart.
2. Leça da Palmeira Beach
Leça da Palmeira Beach is located on the northern bank of Leça River, north of the Port of Leixões and the city of Matosinhos. It also features an extensive sand area, although it is mostly characterized by the rugged rock formations that create small coves along the coast. It is a popular beach among young people, with vibrant nightlife in the surroundings.
3. Tidal Pool of Leça da Palmeira
Regarding the best beaches in Matosinhos, I also recommend the Tidal Pool of Leça da Palmeira as an excellent alternative for those who enjoy the beach but don’t appreciate the ocean waves.
However, please note that the Tidal Pool is a paid attraction. As a curiosity, this pool dates back to the 1960s and was designed by the renowned architect Siza Vieira. Did you know that it has been classified as a national monument since 2011?
4. Fuzelhas Beach
Fuzelhas Beach is located just before you get to Leça da Palmeira Lighthouse, which clearly stands out in the landscape! It consists of a small cove surrounded by rocky platforms, where at low tide, you can find perfect lagoons for children to play in!
Please note that Leça da Palmeira Lighthouse stands at a height of 46 meters and has been in operation since 1926. I discovered that it is the second tallest lighthouse in Portugal and the last one to be built on the mainland. It is open to the public every Wednesday afternoon, being one of the branches of the Matosinhos Museum (MuMa).
5. Senhora da Boa Nova Beach
Senhora da Boa Nova Beach is situated after the lighthouse mentioned. The beach gets its name from the chapel found in the vicinity, which offers an excellent viewpoint of this area of Matosinhos’ coastline. It is a place with many rocky formations to admire, a mandatory place to stop when visiting Matosinhos Beaches.
Another notable attraction is the Boa Nova Tea House, yet another architectural masterpiece by Siza Vieira, which has also been classified as a national monument since 2011. Dating back to 1963, it is undoubtedly one of the finest restaurants in present-day Matosinhos, although be prepared for somewhat higher prices. 😉
6. Blue Beach (Conchinha)
The Blue Beach, known as Conchinha Beach, is also located nearby, named after its shell-like shape (small shell = conchinha / concha in portuguese). It is a stunning bay and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in Matosinhos, where the rocky formations protect the sand from the stronger ocean waves. I believe you can see it clearly in the photos below. 😉
7. Aterro Beach
The Aterro Beach, also known as Refinaria Beach, gets its name from the fact that this area of Matosinhos was used in the past as a deposit for the sediments extracted from the mouth of Leça River during the construction of the Port of Leixões. It is an extensive beach in Matosinhos.
8. Cabo do Mundo Beach
Next is Cabo do Mundo Beach. It also offers a good stretch of sand to visitors, and has pleasant wooden walkways nearby.
9. Memory Beach
Memory Beach, formerly known as Arenosa Beach or Thieves Beach, changed its name with the construction of the Memorial Obelisk, which commemorates the disembarking place of King D. Pedro IV in 1832. The king arrived with a massive army of 7,500 men to confront his brother, D. Miguel, during the Liberal Wars. After the arrival, the so-called “Liberating Army” proceeded to Porto, where they withstood a year-long siege.
The dune landscape here is phenomenal, and the beach features excellent wooden walkways that provide a delightful seaside stroll.
10. Agudela Beach
It is also worth mentioning Agudela Beach, which features a pleasant dune area and wooden walkways that connect it to the north with Pedras Beach and to the south with Quebrada and Marreco Beaches. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to visit these Matosinhos beaches due to lack of time. Although Agudela Beach may not seem to have many rocks at first glance, they appear abundantly during low tide.
11. Angeiras Beach
I conclude this list of the best Matosinhos Beaches with Angeiras Beach, divided into two sections: South and North. It is important to mention the Roman Tanks of Angeiras, which are a National Monument and represent one of the most significant archaeological sites from the Roman period in northern Portugal (4th to 5th century). Some of these tanks were used for fish salting, while others were used for salt extraction from seawater.
There is a nearby campsite as well as a large breakwater (“Quebra-Mar”) that protects the Port of Angeiras from strong waves, featuring a small lighthouse at its tip.
Surf Experience while visiting Matosinhos Beaches
In addition to exploring the best beaches in Matosinhos, how about opting for a surf lesson to enjoy the sea in a more exciting way? Click on the links below to find out more. 😉
- Option 1 – Surf Experience in Matosinhos
- Option 2 – Surf Experience in Matosinhos
- Option 3 – Surf Experience in Matosinhos
Visit the best beaches in Porto and Gaia
You can also explore other highlights along Porto coastline, in addition to the best Matosinhos beaches. How about visiting the mouth of Douro River itself? I invite you to check out my article dedicated to the Best Beaches in Porto and Gaia. 😉
Tours to visit Porto
If you’re planning to visit Porto in more detail, you can follow all the information provided in my dedicated itinerary. Alternatively, why don’t you consider purchasing some guided tours to visit the city’s must-see attractions? I have several recommendations below, along with links to purchase tickets for some of the main tourist sites! 😉 For example, SEA LIFE Porto is located right next to Matosinhos Beach, on the border with Porto municipality, and it’s a spectacular aquarium you might want to visit. 😉
Don’t forget to take a look at the benefits of Porto Card, which can offer you various discounts depending on your travel style.
Examples of Porto Tours: 1 - Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 2 - Porto Card + Public Transportation 3 - Douro River Six Bridges Cruise 4 - Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour 5 - Porto pub crawl 6 - Torre dos Clérigos Entrance Ticket 7 - Ticket to World of Discoveries 8 - FC Porto Stadium + Museum Tour 9 - SEA LIFE Porto Tickets 10 - Serralves Foundation Museum + Park Ticket 11 - Casa da Guitarra Fado Show 12 - Fado Show at Ideal Club 13 - Complete Porto Tour with Tickets 14 - Porto Jetboat experience 15 - Cockburn's Port Wine Cellars Tour 16 - Poças Port Wine Cellars Tour 17 - Burmester's Port Wine Cellars Tour 18 - Graham's Port Lodge Tour 19 - Calém Port Wine Cellars Tour with fado Show 20 - Douro Sunset Sailboat Experience in Porto 21 - Port Wine Tour | 3 Cellars | 7 Tastings 22 - Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour 23 - Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto
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 - 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 - 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 - Best beaches in Northern Portugal - 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 Matosinhos! 😉 Tell me which one is your favorite in the comments below! Happy travels in my country.
