Portugal Beaches Pictures
Beach Photos

A typically huge, sand-island beach in the eastern Algarve, Ilha de Tavira

This collection of Portugal Beach information and photos focuses on the Algarve, on the country's south coast, because that's where the weather is more consistently sunny, the water is calmer and general facilities are foreign tourist oriented, and thus where most of the visitors to these pages will be going. Choose your beach below.

As usual we are not attempting to shoot every beach, just to give an impression of what you might expect if you head in that direction.
We also have pictures of a couple of famous surfing venues, Guincho near Lisbon, Ericeira and Afife up north, as well as an idea on what you will find away from the beaches in the Algarve region - **** all!
The sea will usually be chilly and sometimes choppy in the Algarve and almost always a bit rough on the west coast. Surfers will mostly head for the west coast, serious windsurfers too.

Rip Warning:

Portuguese beaches are big and beautiful but the waters are not as safe as those of the Mediterranean due to the power of the Atlantic, particularly on Portugal's surf-popular west coast.
In October '07 three parents drowned in a whirlpool off Tonel beach on Portugal's Atlantic coast.
Whirlpools are an extreme example of dangerous currents but fundamentally need to be handled in the same way as any undertow - also known as a rip; they rarely drag people down, only around and around.

Monster waves are clearly visible but the powerful undertow - also known as a rip - that cycles waters back to the ocean can easily take a swimmer out with it and is invisible to the inexperienced eye. Resistance is futile.
Parents should exercise caution on unfamiliar beaches. Beaches that are monitored by life guards generally flag safe areas to swim - which may be narrow and crowded - as opposed to surf zones which can seem attractively uncrowded but conceal dangerous rips. Most surfers are strong swimmers, know how to handle rips, and of course have a board to hang on to.

In Portugal the swimming season is considered closed after September so lifeguards will not be present and safety flags will not fly, even if conditions are dangerous. If you wish to swim, perhaps in a wetsuit, then use great caution. Check safety with locals, especially surfers and monitor kids carefully.

What to do if caught in a rip: DO NOT PANIC. Desperate and exhausting thrashing is the killer as rips don't usually drag swimmers under, even the whirlpool version, just away from the beach. If you fight the current you will tire rapidly and may lose the ability to keep your head up.
Rips do not flow indefinitely, they lose power within 5-40 metres though this may seem a long way when you're trapped there, but just go with the flow. When the drag loosens, swim a few metres parallel to the beach i.e. away from the rip and then a safe return is possible.
Alternatively, calmly wave a hand and call for help, perhaps from a surfer.

Portugal Beach photos and information,
the Algarve from east to west:

The west [Atlantic] coast beaches: Surfing | Guincho | Ericeira

Other Portuguese Pictures: Portugal| Lisbon

Portugal Guides: Travel Guide | Lisbon Travel Guide | Map | Europe Map | Tours

Other European Beach Pictures and Information:

Greece | Turkey | Italy | France

Mediterranean | World's Best Beaches

Portugal Beaches Pictures Beach Photos

Portugal Beaches Pictures
Beach Photos