Least-crowded beaches in Portugal

Half of Portugal’s outline is defined by the ocean. Spain sits to the east and north, sharing the Iberian Peninsula, while Portugal’s southern and western borders make one long scenic string of Atlantic coastline. There’s no shortage of beaches along this ocean-facing edge, yet it’s the same few that get swamped summer after summer.

The Algarve, way down south, bears the brunt of this seasonal tourism while the beaches closest to Lisbon get their fair share of traffic, too. In between, Alentejo’s coast is starting to get the recognition it deserves, while the beachgoing crowds up north by Porto vary. Whichever area you decide to call home while in Portugal, these are the beaches you need to know about — because not everyone else does.

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The Algarve’s lesser-known beaches

Praia da Bordeira
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Praia da Bordeira: A few minutes from Carrapateira, a village on the Algarve’s west coast, Praia da Bordeira is framed by the scenery of Costa Vicentina Natural Park. It’s a wide-open beach often passed over by sunbathers, though it’s a hit with surfers who seek out its wild waves. Coastal hikers also enjoy excursions to the Aljezur region’s beaches, including the roughly 45-minute hike south from Praia da Bordeira to Praia do Amado, which is even better known as a surfing beach that hosts international competitions.

Praia do Carvalho: Though small, Praia do Carvalho is surrounded by tall cliffs that give the beach a dramatic presence. It’s about 15 minutes south of Lagoa, a quiet town nestled between the Algarve’s most crowded destinations. Praia do Carvalho is rarely empty during summer, attracting cliff jumpers and snorkelers who live nearby, but it’s one of the few beaches located between Lagos and Faro that maintains manageable crowds when the weather heats up.

Praia da Salema: Salema is a small, secluded fishing village situated midway between Lagos, one of the Algarve’s busiest beach resorts, and Sagres, the region’s southwesternmost point. Praia da Salema is a half-mile-long Blue Flag beach, meaning it’s clean, clear, and swimmable for all ages. It stays calmer than most beaches in the Algarve but is not devoid of activity: fishermen hoist their boats ashore, selling their catches to waterfront restaurants. Families pitch umbrellas in the sand. Lifeguards monitor the beach all summer. And some even venture into the surrounding cliffs to track down the dinosaur footprints discovered there.

Where to stay

An Airbnb in Bordeira works well for anyone heading to the nearby beaches but wanting a base in the village itself. This four-bedroom stay ($232 per night) unfolds over staggered half-levels and has two rooms with their own terraces. It’s walking distance to a café, a lookout over the hills, and the market square where vendors stop during the week. Down by Praia do Carvalho, an opulent three-bedroom Airbnb in Carvoeiro ($329 per night) is about five minutes from the sand. It has a pool, garden, barbecue, and sits close to the Hanging Valley Trail. For a luxe hotel option near the southern coast, the W Algarve in Albufeira has both standard rooms and full residence-style suites, plus a rooftop bar, spa, and a pool deck where DJs play during high season.

Quiet beaches just outside Lisbon

Portinho da Arrábida
Photo: Kathia Tamanaha/Shutterstock

Praia do Portinho da Arrábida: Across the Tagus from Lisbon lies the South Bay, home to the stunning Arrábida Natural Park. Located within the park near the fishing village of Setúbal, Praia do Portinho da Arrábida is a small beach that remains relatively quiet, as it’s not accessible by public transportation. Come to swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive. Then, fill up on fresh seafood and hike around Arrábida. There are other beaches to discover, including Praia dos Galapinhos, as well as other secluded sunny spots perfect for a day outdoors.

Praia do Guincho: After Sintra, Cascais is the side trip most visitors to Lisbon are encouraged to take. The stretch between them belongs to the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, where you’ll find Praia do Guincho on the west end, just a few miles outside Cascais. It’s a well-known beach, having hosted several surfing, windsurfing, and bodyboarding competitions over the years, and it even appeared in the 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Far from a secret, this beach still manages to keep crowding to a minimum, attracting mostly water sports enthusiasts.

Praia da Ursa
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Praia da Ursa: The minute you touch down in Lisbon, you’ll start getting recommendations for a day trip to Sintra. This picture-perfect town is located about an hour west by train, close to the coast and Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe’s westernmost point. Praia da Ursa is a stone’s throw from Cabo da Roca, though it’s not nearly as easy to access. Beachgoers need to strap on their hiking boots and scramble down a steep, winding dirt path to reach the beach. Once there, however, they’re rewarded with a quiet cove and stunning views of the Atlantic. Note that due to its seclusion, rumor has it some treat Praia da Ursa as an unofficial naturist beach.

Where to stay

If you’d like to stay near Portinho da Arrábida, this Airbnb perched above the bay ($1005 per night) places you high above the water, with panoramic views from nearly every room and a wooden chalet design that blends into the slope of the mountain. The house is accessible on foot or by a transport service that helps guests with luggage during check-in and checkout. Each of the four bedrooms faces the ocean, and guests consistently highlight the peaceful setting, the well-equipped kitchen, and the garden filled with fruit trees. It’s quiet and close enough to the beach to walk down for a swim. Or about an hour north, near Praia do Guincho, a three-bedroom home ($589 per night) sits between the sea and the Sintra mountains. The garden has a hammock, the terrace catches the afternoon light, and there’s a fire pit for relaxing evenings.

Porto’s off-the-radar beaches

Praia do Cabedelo
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Praia de Moreiró: About a half-hour’s drive north of Porto, Praia de Moreiró strikes a nice balance between being lively and low-key. Tourists have yet to descend on this rural beach, though it’s a popular choice among families. There’s not much in the way of amenities, but a beach bar at one end will keep you fed, relaxed, and with a drink in hand. You can rent an umbrella on the north side, but if you venture south, you’ll find a cluster of rocks that form a natural border and typically attract fewer sunbathers. Set up there for more peace and privacy.

Praia do Cabedelo: The farther north you travel in Portugal, the less likely you are to run into other travelers. Some of the wildest, most remote landscapes are located up north and are easily reached by car from Porto. Praia do Cabedelo is one example. The beach is about an hour from Porto in Viana do Castelo, one of the loveliest cities in the Minho province. It begins just across the Lima River and is enclosed by sand dunes and pine forests. Join the beach’s dedicated surfers or check out nearby campsites if you’re in the mood for a quiet, nature-filled weekend away. And before you go, be sure to explore neighboring Praia de Luz Mar, too.

Praia do São Pedro de Maceda: Another sweetly forested beach, Praia do São Pedro de Maceda sits roughly 40 minutes from Porto by car. It’s a rugged beach with big waves. Though lifeguards keep an eye on it during the summer, Praia do São Pedro de Maceda is better for water sports and beach hikes than it is for swimming. Some sunbathers visit to avoid tan lines, although the beach is not strictly for nudists. After a long day, wander around the charming nearby city of Ovar and grab a meal before heading back to Porto.

Where to stay

Near Praia do Cabedelo — where there’s a high concentration of rentals and an easy drive to other beaches along the coast — this three-bedroom Airbnb ($276 per night) sits just a seven-minute walk from the sand. The duplex has a private terrace for rinsing off or drying gear, and the layout works well for families or small groups: a mix of double, single, and bunk beds split across two floors, plus two bathrooms and a small kitchen if you plan to cook. A bit farther inland, a two-bedroom stay ($195 per night) in Viana do Castelo gives you quick driving access to Praia do Cabedelo, and other wild beaches up the coast. There’s space for five across two levels, and while it’s quieter than the duplex near the beach, you’re still within a short walk of restaurants and shops in town.

Underrated beach escapes in Alentejo

Praia da Samoqueira
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Praia da Samoqueira: Not far from Porto Covo, which loosely neighbors Vila Nova de Milfontes between Lisbon and Lagos, Praia da Samoqueira was made for adventurers. It’s full of rocks to climb, hidden coves and caverns to explore, and tide pools well worth poking around. There’s more than enough sand to lay out a few towels, though you won’t have the shore to yourself — this is a local-favorite beach. Hike around the area to soak up the Alentejo’s rugged scenery, and don’t leave until you’ve found Praia da Samoqueira’s very own waterfall.

Praia da Franquia: Praia da Franquia stretches out near Vila Nova de Milfontes, a popular resort on the Alentejan coast. It’s a relatively busy area by Alentejo’s standards, but this is one of the quieter beaches, thanks to its position on the banks of the Mira River. The relaxed pace makes it a perfect spot for SUPs and canoes, as well as a top choice for families. Keep an eye on the tide, though, as the beach can feel somewhat crowded when the water inches up the shore.

Praia da Zambujeira do Mar
Photo: Ze Fontes/Shutterstock

Praia da Zambujeira do Mar: Access to both the coast and countryside is one of the best reasons to include Alentejo in your itinerary. Zambujeira do Mar is a small seaside town located within Southwest Alentejo and St. Vincent Coast Nature Park, which offers the best of both. Its namesake beach is Blue Flag certified and ideal for surfers looking to avoid long lineups. The beach’s clear waters and high-rise cliffs are no secret to Alentejo residents, but like much of the region, it remains free of most tourists all summer long.

Where to stay

Near Porto Covo, there’s a spectacular Airbnb overlooking a small natural harbor ($276 per night) sits just above the cliffs, a short walk from both the town square and the beaches that edge the Rota Vicentina. The two-bedroom apartment has ocean-facing windows in nearly every room and a wide terrace where you can hear the waves and watch fishing boats come and go. From here, it’s easy to reach Praia da Samoqueira and other coves along the nearby trails. In Vila Nova de Milfontes, a two-bedroom townhouse ($195 per night) is three minutes from Praia da Franquia and sits inside a quiet, four-house complex with a shared courtyard and small pool. The house has a kitchen and fireplace downstairs, bedrooms upstairs, and a few thoughtful extras — like beach towels and a breakfast basket on arrival.

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