4 of the Best Beaches in Óbidos

The beach at Foz do Arelho is a natural wonder. To one side of the large sandy strip is the Atlantic Ocean, to the other side are the tranquil waters of the Óbidos Lagoon. The warm salty waters of the lagoon are ideal for kids and a variety of watersports, they are even said to have therapeutic properties.

On the seaward side of the beach the water is considerably colder and the waves can be much bigger. This is a fairly popular surf spot and the waves can get pretty good here.

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The beach of Baleal sits at the opposite end of the wide bay, around 4km (3 miles) from the town of Peniche. The sandy beach here connects the island of Baleal to the mainland around 100 metres away. Baleal is a great, clean beach popular with families and even more so, surfers. The variety of coastline here means there are waves suitable for all levels of surfer and all weather conditions.

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São Martinho do Porto is a typical Portuguese holiday resort in that everyone in Portugal knows about it but no one in the rest of the world has even heard of it. This is somewhat of a shame as São Martinho do Porto is a fantastic and unique spot.

Set in an an almost perfectly scallop shaped bay, with twin headlands guarding the entrance to the Atlantic Ocean, the crescent of beach stretches from the mouth of the Tornada river to the town at the northern end. At the far end the beach...

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Praia de Areia Branca, whose name translates to White Sand Beach, is a traditional Portuguese coastal village with a long sweeping sandy beach suitable for both swimming and surfing. There are a number of bars, restaurants and cafes lining the promenade, which runs the full length of a beach popular for both surfing and volleyball.

There is easy access for the disabled and the water is patrolled by lifeguards in summer. A...

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