Blog Ideias de Viagem

Best beaches for walking & biking - The Southwest Coast of Portugal

There are many things we love about Portugal. But one of them stands out from all others: our beaches!

We present you some the best beaches in for walking & cycling in Rota Vicentina & Southwest Coast of Portugal:

Portugal has some of the best beaches in the world. No Portuguese has doubts about that. They are not tropical, true, but they are surely some of the best in the world. Have you heard of Garrett MacNamara, the famous surfer? Well, he now lives in Portugal because this is where some of the best waves in the world are! Anyway, we prefer beaches with less adrenaline, namely the Southwest ones. Why? Basically, because they are empty most of the year, because they are wild, breathtaking and warm. Additionally, very often, a car is not even necessary.

As the landscape tends to be flat or undulating, cycling and walking are good means to move around. For instance, you can easily stay at sophisticated Herdade da Matinha guesthouse, located in Cercal village, and cycle to Porto Covo, a lovely and spotless village on the coast (15 km). In Porto Covo, there are two wide and accessible beaches: Praia Grande and Praia da Ilha. But if you walk past them you will find a number of tiny, secluded bays where you will feel you have found paradise! 12 km away is Vila Nova de Milfontes, famous for being home to an endless stretch of sand named “Praia do Malhão”.

Further south lies quaint Odeceixe, very close to an amazingly wild beach where the crystal clear waters of a tiny river flow into the Atlantic ocean. Do not forget to book yourself a room at charming Casas do Moinho B&B. Travelling even further South, make a stop at Aljezur, a terraced Alentejo village with an haughty castle used by the Moors to protect their Algarve territory in 10th to 12th century AD. 20 kms south of Aljezur, lies the dormant Carrapateira village with two amazing beaches side by side: the Amado and the Bordeira ones. They are linked by a long cliff covered in wild little flowers. Fabulous to walk or to cycle!