12 Best Best Beaches in Vila Do Bispo

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.

Praia da Cordoama is one of several beaches that form a long sandy stretch along the coast just west of Vila do Bispo. Cordoama is by far the longest of these beaches but at low tide this doesn't matter as it joins together with neighbouring Castelejo and Barriga to form a huge sandy beach.

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.

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.

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.

Despite being located about halfway between Sagres and Lagos the sleepy little village of Salema has largely escaped the ravages of tourism. This is partly because this part of the coast falls just within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park.

Sitting next to Sagres' harbour and within the lee of its breakwater, Praia da Baleeira is by far the town's most sheltered beach. This is no way Sagres' best or most dramatic beach but it does come into its own when the westerly wind is blowing and there is a giant Atlantic swell. Despite this Baleeira actually has a more exposed feel to it than many of the cosy coves nearby. There is little in the way of cliffs here and the backdrop slopes gently up towards the town.

Praia da Mareta is the closest beach to Sages town itself, and unsurprisingly, as such, tends to be one of the busiest beaches in the area. However, it isn't just convenience that makes Mareta such a popular beach; with a sweep of golden sand stretching for nearly 800 metres and rocky headlands providing shelter from the notorious Sagres winds this is a great choice.

Praia do Tonel sits alongside the jutting Ponta de Sagres on the very southwesterly tip of Portugal. This dramatic location is exposed to the full force of the Atlantic Ocean and as such is a popular spot with surfers. If there isn't a wave here then there probably isn't one anywhere.

Prainha das Poças sits in the shelter of the imposing cliffs of the Ponta da Sagres. This provides a good deal of shelter from the worst of the Atlantic wind and waves. 

The beach here is a pretty little stretch of soft, golden sand, but it is worth noting that at high tide this completely disappears leaving nothing but rocks.