Beaches · Porto · Portugal
The best beaches in and near Porto
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Praia de Matosinhos (About 30 minutes by metro line A).
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Warmest sea
- 18°C (64°F)
The beaches
About 30 minutes by metro line A · Surfing lessons and families
1.Praia de Matosinhos
A long, wide sandy beach with surf schools and lifeguards in summer, close to Matosinhos's grilled-fish restaurants.
About 25 minutes by tram line 1 or bus · Sunsets and short beach breaks
2.Foz do Douro beaches
Small sandy coves between rocks along the seafront near the Pérgola da Foz, such as Praia dos Ingleses and Praia do Molhe, with cafés behind.
About 35 minutes by metro and bus · Sheltered saltwater swimming
3.Leça da Palmeira and Piscina das Marés
North of Matosinhos port, rock-lined beaches and Álvaro Siza's ocean swimming pools, built into the rocks in the 1960s and open in summer.
About 30 minutes by train · Photography and quieter sand
4.Praia de Miramar
A sandy beach south of the city in Vila Nova de Gaia, known for the small Senhor da Pedra chapel built on rocks by the shore.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C (57°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| April | 14°C (57°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| June | 16°C (61°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| July | 17°C (63°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| August | 18°C (64°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| September | 18°C (64°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| October | 17°C (63°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| November | 16°C (61°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| December | 15°C (59°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for beach, quiet stays, couples and families
Foz do Douro
Foz is an affluent district at the river mouth, about 20–30 minutes from the centre by tram line 1 or bus, with the Pérgola da Foz, the Felgueiras lighthouse, small beaches between rocks and seafront cafés. It suits travellers who want the ocean and calm evenings rather than nightlife.
- Good
- Sea air and promenades; Calm and residential; Close to the beaches
- Watch out
- Far from the old town; Fewer hotels
- Nearby
- Pérgola da Foz, Felgueiras lighthouse, Parque da Cidade, Matosinhos
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — Metro do Porto runs six light-rail lines, partly underground in the centre, linking the airport, Matosinhos, Boavista and Gaia; line D crosses the upper deck of the Dom Luís I bridge.
- Tram — Historic trams on lines 1, 18 and 22 are slow but scenic, especially line 1 along the river to Foz.
- Bus — STCP buses cover areas the metro does not, including Foz and Serralves.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in July–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Porto is generally safe; pickpockets operate in crowded spots such as Ribeira, the trams and São Bento station. Wet granite streets are slippery, and Atlantic beaches can have strong currents, so swim only where lifeguards are present. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Porto have beaches?
Yes: Praia de Matosinhos, Foz do Douro beaches, Leça da Palmeira and Piscina das Marés and Praia de Miramar.
+What is the best beach near Porto?
Praia de Matosinhos: A long, wide sandy beach with surf schools and lifeguards in summer, close to Matosinhos's grilled-fish restaurants.