Blue Flag beach

Huge, quiet sandy beach located just west of Tavira. It's a bit of a walk to Praia do Barril from the town but fortunately there is a small train running from Pedras d’El Rei. Barril is a Blue Flag beach so there are plenty of facilities, including seasonal lifeguards. At the far end of the there is an official nudist beach.

The beach at Foz do Arelho is a natural wonder. To one side of the large sandy strip is the Atlantic Ocean, to the other side are the tranquil waters of the Óbidos Lagoon. The warm salty waters of the lagoon are ideal for kids and a variety of watersports, they are even said to have therapeutic properties.

On the seaward side of the beach the water is considerably colder and the waves can be much bigger. This is a fairly popular surf spot and the waves can get pretty good here.

Parede beach is a small but pleasant stretch of sand which is often overlooked. Located midway between Carcavelos beach and Sao Pedro do Estoril it is tucked away below the main "Marginal" coast road that runs from Lisbon to Cascais. This makes it easy enough to get to and there are car parks at both ends of the beach. Access from the town or train station is via an underpass that leads directly to the beach.

Castelejo beach is located on the quieter, more exposed Atlantic coast of the Algarve. Being part of the Vicentine Coast natural park it feels a million miles away from the beaches of the south coast.

The beach is dominated by the huge black schist cliffs that rise out of the golden sand. On some days this can feel like a very remote location, in the summer though it is quite a popular spot.

Tamariz beach is located in the popular and long established resort of Estoril at the Cascais end of the Lisbon - Cascais line. It's a lovely little stretch of sandy beach with plenty to do for all ages. There are rockpools for the kids and a host of bars, cafes and even a nightclub for everybody else. Running along the beachfront is a promenade which runs from just down the coast to Cascais - ideal for a gentle stroll and popular with joggers.

The beach of São Pedro do Estoril is a small stretch of sand backed by cliffs and rocks at either end. There is a raised concrete esplanade running along the western end of the beach which runs past a couple of beach shops and cafes. The cafe nearest the car park has plenty of outside seating and has always been one of my favourite spots for a morning galão and tosta mista.

Set in a valley between high cliffs, just to the north of Ericeira is the beach of Ribeira d'Ilhas. A lovely sandy beach complete with river and lots of interesting nooks and crannies, there's plenty here for the kids to do.

What Ribeira d'Ilhas is best known for though is the surf. Having hosted numerous rounds of the WQL surfing World Tour championships there is no doubts this is a world class break. There are actually better waves in the Ericeira area but most are harder to get too, more dangerous and none are as consistently surfable as Ribeira.

Wide sandy beach backed by large cliffs. Easily accessible by wooden steps. Great spot for snorkelling or just soaking up the sun

The Atlantic coast beach of Praia de Odeceixe Mar straddles the border between the Algarve and Alentejo regions of Portugal. It is situated at the mouth of the River Seixe (Rio de Seixe) which forms the border and lays down a lush green valley leading to the beach.

Odeceixe is a big sandy beach that is popular with surfers. The break around the river mouth can be especially good. At the northern end there are steep, sheer cliffs.

At the far southern end is a small cove (Praia de Adegas) which is a designated nudist beach.