Praia do Martinhal is a wide sandy beach just outside Sagres. It is around 2km from the town and takes about 25 minutes to walk here meaning it is usually relatively quiet.
The beach at Martinhal is set in the shallow and relatively sheltered east-facing Bay of Baleeira which is also home to the town's harbour. This means the water here is nearly always calmer than the Atlantic-facing beaches around Sagres' mighty headland. With a lifeguard service running during the summer months Praia do Martinhal is a great family beach.
Overlooking Praia do Martinhal is the upmarket Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel along with a few smaller restaurants and cafes.
To the back of the main beach are sand dunes which offer further shelter from any of the frequent breezes along this stretch of coast. The combination of these winds and calm waters make Martinhal a popular spot for windsurfing.
A few hundred metres off the coast here are the Martinhal Islets (Ilhotes do Martinhal). These limestone islands are somewhat reminiscent of the rock formations further up the Algarve coast with their grottoes and inlets. There are boat trips available from Sagres harbour to the islands and they are also popular with divers and snorkelers, especially given how clear the water is here.
Just to the east of Martinhal is the small, pebbly beach of Praia dos Rebolinhos (Pebble beach). This wild little beach is often empty and was once home to a Roman pottery.
