8 Best Best Beaches in Porto

Praia do Carneiro is the closest of Porto's beaches to the mouth of the River Douro. In fact the old breakwater and lighthouse (Farol de Felgueiras) here mark the southern end of the beach and the entrance to the river. Behind the beach is the impressive Fortaleza de São João da Foz, a 16th century fortress built to defend the mouth of the Douro.

Praia dos Ingleses is a largely sandy beach with rocky outcrops around the shore line. Located in the upmarket Foz do Douro district of Porto this is cafe and promenading central. The cafes here stay open until late and Praia dos Ingleses is often still buzzing long after dark.

Praia do Molhe is another of Porto's beaches along the Foz district of the city. Like neighbouring beaches, Molhe is a mixture of coarse sand and rocks with its own beachfront cafe. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the beach (and where it gets its name) is the stone jetty which runs out from the beach. This was built to protect the bathing waters here from the northerly swells.

Praia Castelo do Queijo translates to "Cheese castle beach"! The name actually comes from the Fort of São Francisco Xavier which overlooks the beach. It is said that the fort was built on a rock that resembled an enormous piece of cheese.

The beach itself is a short stretch of sand and rocks which backs onto a promenade. Not generally as popular as Matasinhos around the corner the beach still gets busy during the summer months

Matosinhos is Porto's main beach. A long stretch of fine sand backed by apartment blocks, an esplanade and any number of small cafes it is pleasant enough. In the summer there's always some sort of activity on the beach and the lifeguard service makes for safe bathing.

The water quality has improved greatly over the years, although it still isn't up to Blue Flag standards. Given there is a large port and oil terminal at the northern end of the beach this isn't a huge surprise.

The beach at Leça da Palmeira is located on the northern edge of the city of Porto, just across the harbour from Matosinhos. It is a similar mix of the industrial, historic and residential.

The beach here is a good sized stretch of fine white sand. However, it is somewhat blighted by the huge stone pier at the southern end which protects the mouth of Leixões, one of Portugal's major sea ports. Beyond this are glimpses of cranes and to the north the tanks of the oil refinery.

Just 10 kilometres south of Porto, Miramar is a small seaside town famous for the Capela do Senhora Pedra, a 17th century chapel strikingly situated on a rocky, wave-beaten headland jutting out from the beach.

In many ways the town is an upmarket residential suburb of Porto, boasting a famous 9-hole golf course and a number of large houses and mansions.

Just along from the beach of Leça da Palmeira, past the Piscina das Marés tidal swimming pool is another stretch of sand - Praia de Fuzelhas.

Whilst much of the shoreline here is rocky, above the tide line is fine golden sand. When the tide does go out lots of rock pools are revealed making this a good spot for kids, with plenty of exploring to be done.

As a Blue Flag beach there are plenty of facilities and the water quality is good. There are a cafes at each end of the beach here and a lifeguard service during the summer.