| p>One of the main pre-requisites for lots of | | | | the peak Summer months in Portugal. It is popular |
| holidaymakers for a holiday in Portugal is a nice | | | | for sunbathing, drink/food at one of the many |
| beach to relax on. It's lucky then that Portugal has | | | | cafes and bars lining the coast here and also |
| so many good beaches on offer along its | | | | surfing - the strong currents and effects of the |
| 600miles of coast, making it ideal for both | | | | Atlantic Ocean here lend themselves to waves of |
| Summer holidays and Winter Sun. In fact 18 of | | | | all sizes. Other beaches to visit along this coastal |
| Portugal's beaches are designated blue flag | | | | region include Sesimbra beach and Portinho da |
| beaches and therefore ideal for families. | | | | Arrabida beach - a beautiful and relatively quiet |
| Algarve: | | | | beach popular with scuba divers. |
| One of the most well known beaches in this area | | | | Costa Prata / Central Portugal:Nazare is probably |
| is the 6km long Praia de Falesia (also known as | | | | one of the most well known beaches in this area, |
| 'beach town'). Located between the popular tourist | | | | with hoards of tourists flocking there every year |
| resorts of Albufeira and Vilamoura, the beach is a | | | | with many hotels and apartments to choose |
| haven for sunlovers and is set in a peaceful | | | | from. A lively and popular resort and beach, it can |
| setting along Portugal's South coast. Other popular | | | | suffer from overcrowding in the height of |
| beaches in the Algarve area center around | | | | Summer. One of portugal's largest beaches (3km) |
| popular tourist spots such as Praia da Gale in | | | | also sits in this area of coast, in the town of |
| Albufeira, Meia Praia in Lagos - particularly popular | | | | Figueira da Foz. Nicknamed 'Queen of Beaches' it |
| with families as it is sheltered by a large bay, Praia | | | | is a white sand beach lined with cafes, with parts |
| de Alvor near Praia da Rocha / Portimao - a blue | | | | of it awarded blue flag status. |
| flag beach popular for watersports, and the Praia | | | | Costa Verde / North Portugal: |
| de Garrao close to the luxury holiday resorts of | | | | With Summer waters usually calm and ideal for |
| Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. | | | | swimming Praia de Miramar is becoming more |
| Alentejo (South Portugal): | | | | popular with tourists. Already popular with locals, |
| Stretching from the Algarve to the Sado Estuary | | | | the beach here is also visited by surfers in the |
| this unspoilt coast has many small beautiful | | | | Winter season. Further North along the coats, |
| beaches to choose from. With many situated in | | | | Praia do Cabedelo in Viana do Castelo, is the main |
| coves along the coast here a car may be a | | | | beach for this lively and popular holidayresort, with |
| necessity to reach them. Vila Nova de Milfontes is | | | | numerous sand dunes and safe waters for |
| an exception in that you can get to it by bus | | | | swimming plus it's a popular spot for watersports |
| from Lisbon. Other pleasant beaches to visit | | | | such as windsurfing. |
| include Gale, Melides, Santo Andre, Porto Covo, | | | | If you are looking for summer or winter bargain |
| Almograve and Zambujeira do Mar. | | | | holidays to Portugal, there are plenty of offers |
| Lisbon/Sintra Coast: | | | | throughout the internet. |
| The popular holiday area of Lisbon is served | | | | Watch out for the last minute holidays which |
| mainly by a large sandy beach called the Costa da | | | | offer great savings for the whole family. |
| Caparica which is very busy and popular during | | | | |