Like most countries in Western Europe Portugal has a fairly relaxed attitude to nudism on its beaches. As such there are many spots along the Portuguese coast where naturism is tolerated. In fact there are around 60 plus beaches where this is the case.
At present only 8 of these beaches are regarded as "official" naturist beaches but this number has grown over recent years.
It is worth noting that these beaches are not distributed evenly along Portugal's coast. The majority are concentrated along the Algarve with a god few more along Alentejo's Atlantic coast. Whilst none of the Lisbon/Cascais beaches are considered naturist some of the finest in the country can be found around the corner near Sintra or just across the river at Costa da Caparica. From here on north naturist beaches become a little more sparse with only a handful between Porto and the Spanish border.
Just around the corner from Praia Grande is another local favourite Praia da Adraga. This sandy little cove is backed by high cliffs with a deep valley winding down to the beach. The beach here is usually quieter than the better known beaches in the area and is mostly the preserve of locals. However, it can get quite busy at weekends when parking is at a premium.
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.
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.
Literally translating to 'half beach', this vast expanse of sand near the interesting old town of Lagos wraps itself around one of the biggest bays in Europe. The wide bay offers protection from rough seas, which makes this long beach of soft, white sand particularly popular with families.
Many years ago the little fishing town of Nazaré started to grow as a popular holiday resort. Whilst not known to many outside of Portugal the resort has grown some might say to its own detriment. In the summer the main beach in front of the town can be absolutely heaving. However, over recent years it is not the town beach that has become internationally famous but the long stretch of virtually empty coast to the north of the towering headland of Sitio.
Praia do Barranco is a fairly secluded little beach a few kilometres along the Algarve coast from Sagres. Tucked well away from the ocean swells there is nothing in the way of surf here, unlike many of the neighbouring beaches. Instead you will find calm, clear turquoise waters, ideal for taking a dip in. Cliffs on the western side of the beach also provide some degree of shelter from the winds that this part of the coast is well known for.
Beach 19 lies between the more traditionally named Praia da Bela Vista and Praia Fonte da Telha in Costa da Caparica. Just across the bridge from Lisbon this massive stretch of sandy coast is widely regarded as a beachgoer's paradise.
Before we go on it is worth explaining the name of this beach. The beaches of Costa Caparica are served by a miniature train known as the "Transpraia" which runs from the town at the northern end, all the way to Fonte da Telha about 10 km to the south. There are a total of 21 stops along the way of which Praia 19 is the 19th.
Praia dos Pinheiros is another of the amazing Lagos beaches which lie in the shelter of Ponta da Piedade. This is probably one of the most secluded little coves along this stretch of coast and access is courtesy of a steep stone stairway hewn into to the sandstone cliffs.
Situated within the Ria Formosa National Park, just off the coast of Faro the Ilha Deserta (Deserted island) lives up to its name. There are no permanent inhabitants here and the only significant structure on the whole island is the surprisingly popular O Estamine Restaurant at the eastern end of the island. The highly rated food here is prepared in the restaurant's solar powered kitchen.
Located just to the south of the small resort of Zambujeira do Mar, the beach of Praia dos Alteirinhos maintains a fairly wild feel whilst also being quite easy to get to.
The beach itself is a good-sized stretch of golden sand backed by high, steep cliffs. The water here is crystal clear, but also usually a little on the chilly side. To the northern end of the beach there are a number of long, low rock formations which add character to the beach and provide lots of smaller areas to explore and swim among.
The small cove of Praia das Adegas is separated from its better known neighbour, Praia de Odeceixe by high cliffs, although at low tide it is possible to walk around. This gives the beach a rather secluded feel and definitely helps keep the crowds down and also makes it a popular spot with naturists.
Praia do Beliche sits just to the south of the towering, and curiously level, cliffs of Cabo Sao Vicente. This provides not only a spectacular backdrop but also a little protection from the powerful Atlantic swells that pummel the coast further north. This does not mean there aren't waves here - on the contrary. It is one of Sagres' best surf beaches with the waves often a little more manageable than at the other beaches around the headland. The 40 metre high cliffs also provide some shelter from the winds that Sagres is notorious for.
Situated just around the corner from Cascais's famous Guincho beach is the lovely intimate little cove of Praia do Abano. This little gem is easily overlooked. After the sand strewn vista over Guincho the Sintra coast road winds through pine woods, and it is off a dirt track through these woods that you will find Praia do Abano. Abano has some similarities with its bigger neighbour; it is exposed to the strong winds and powerful waves that often pummel this exposed coast.
A few miles north of the seaside city of Póvoa de Varzim are the beaches of Rio Alto and Estela. A world away from the casino and high-rise beachfront hotels, the Praia do Rio Alto is backed by extensive dunes and farm land beyond. You won't find much in the way of facilities here, just the beach and the ocean. This open stretch of beach is usually quiet which makes it ideal as one of Northern Portugal's best known naturist beaches. Although it is not an official "nude beach" Rio Alto is certainly generally accepted as such.
Set on the Atlantic west coast just north of Cabo da Roca is a little gem of a beach - Praia da Ursa. Unspoilt and wild, this little beach is often cited as one of the most beautiful in the area. The name of the beach comes from the "Rocha da Ursa" (bear rock) one of two huge sea stacks at the northern end of the beach. It is said that the rock resembles a bear with its cub, although I can't quite see this myself!
Across the river from Lisbon and again across the water from Setubal lies the Tróia Peninsula, a 20 km long spit of sand that stands between the Sado estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Comporta is located at the southern end of this spit with little but sand dunes and pine forest beyond.
Just around the small headland of Ponta do Altar from Praia do Pintadinho is the little cove of Praia dos Caneiros. Backed by the high ochre sandstone cliffs that are so associated with this section of the Algarve coast. Around 100 metres off the northern end of the beach is the Leixão da Gaivota ("Seagull's Leap") - a steep sided islet which is home to various bird species including white herons, silver gulls and white-faced cormorants.
The small resort of Furadoura just 5km from the town of Ovar boasts an extensive sandy beach backed by a long stretch of pine-fringed dunes. Like most Silver Coast resorts, although it can get crowded in summer, Furadouro is relatively unspoilt. The water quality is good- the beach has a European Blue Flag award – and the water’s edge is patrolled by Lifeguards in season. Good facilities for the disabled, easy parking and numerous bars, cafes and restaurants make this a relaxing choice for people of all ages.
The beach of Cacela Velha is located at the eastern end of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and could be considered an extension of neighbouring Manta Rota beach. What marks the start of the beach at Cacela Velha is the wide lagoon behind the spit of sand here.
The Ilha da Armona, on which the Praia is situated, is one of three islands off the coast around Faro that form part of the extensive Ria Formosa National Park, a small archipelago of lagoon islands that stretches east 50km from Faro to the Spanish border. Armona, Culatra and Farol, known as the sandbank islands, all feature long, sandy beaches, made peaceful by their relative inaccessibility.
The Praia do Malhão is wide open sandy beach just over 5km to the north of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Set within the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park development here is prohibited so this is as wild and unspoiled beach as you will find on this coast.
Continue northwards along the coast from Praia do Castelejo for around ten kilometres and you will arrive at the village of Carrapateira, which is little more than a collection of surf shops, a grocery store, a small market, a pavement café and a bakery.
Praia do Meco is a fairly remote beach located within the Serra da Arrabida national park near Sesimbra. It occupies a 4km stretch of coast to the south of the beaches of Costa da Caparica, around 40km south of Lisbon.
This long, sandy beach was largely undiscovered until the early 1970s. There was no vehicular access and nothing in the way of development. Around this time travelling 'hippies' from around Europe and the U.S. set up camp at the beach.
