Where to hit the beaches in Portugal this winter.
Even though this Thanksgiving marks the official time of year for ski vacations and cuddling up by the fireplace, a good amount of places in the world offer a climate to support a tropical holiday season. Check out this list of beaches in Portugal for a different type of winter wonderland!
Lagos
Situated on the southern coast of Portugal sits the beach town of Lagos. Notable for some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, Lagos serves as a perfect first stop of the tour. As I said upon arrival: “This place makes Hawaii look like trash”. Poking around in the ravines bordering the Mediterranean, you can typically find your own private spot if you look hard enough. Occasionally, it may require repelling down an eroding mountain face, but this all adds to the adventure…right?!
Sagres
After the sun sets behind you in Lagos, head on over to the very southern tip of Portugal to the sleepy beach town of Sagres for two more hours of sunlight. Here, you can suit up and catch some waves with the local rippers or traverse the epic cliffs lining the Atlantic. Either way, you’re in for some stunning sights.
Porto Novo
A little ways up the coast from Sagres, the coastal Portuguese mountain roads open up to Porto Novo. This rather sparsely populated spot will remind you of the beaches of Northern California. Rolling sand dunes lead to a large, flat plain of some of the finest, softest sand in the world.
Cascais
Although a bit windy in the later afternoon and evening, Cascais remains a must-see on your Portuguese beach tour. The beach is located directly west of Lisbon on the Atlantic coast. You won’t be greeted with the typical sand pasture, but rather a variety of rocky cliffs and landings. Regardless, this spot remains one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
