Located just on the outskirts of Sines, the Praia de São Torpes is a Blue Flag award winning beach. It is easy to understand why, or not, depending on which way you look.
Looking south, the sandy beach stretches off into the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park with a backdrop of grassy dunes and the rolling waves of the Atlantic. However, turn the other way and you will struggle not to be a little overwhelmed by the twin towering chimneys of an enormous power plant. And beyond that is the industrial landscape of the petrol refineries and port.
Besides somewhat spoiling the view and belching coal fumes into the air the thermoelectric plant does have one benefit. Heated water is pumped into the sea here which actually raises the sea temperature a degree or so at the northern end of the beach. This water is perfectly clean, as the beach has to meet stringent criteria on water quality to keep its Blue Flag status. As well as being good news for those fancying a paddle it is a popular spot with local anglers.
The waves at Praia de São Torpes are reputedly some of the best on the Alentejo coast making it a popular surf spot attracting all levels of surfer. There are a couple of surf schools run from the beach here.
