There are 9 naturist beaches in Portugal – know where they are

Located in a small bay surrounded by cliffs, the Adegas beach is distinguished by its impressive natural beauty, more or less visible… On low tide days, the sand reveals the passage to a cave, a favourite spot for photographs. This official naturist beach is located near the Odeceixe Beach, also a popular destination in the summer months.

Near Zambujeira do Mar, we find one of the most comfortable places on the Vicentina Coast when it's windy. This is because the Alteirinhos Beach, in Odemira, is “sheltered” by large rocks, which protect bathers from even the most intense breezes. However, it is not for all physical conditions: the climb, at the end of a day at the beach, with towels and bags, requires some effort.

If the theme is paradisiacal destinations, the Barreta Beach, also known as Ilha Deserta, immediately appears with great prominence among the naturist beaches of Portugal. In the Algarve, this more reserved place is characterized by a vast stretch of sand (11 km), and also because it is less popular than other destinations in this region. It is the ideal beach for those who like to walk, run, or practice sports; and the crystal-clear water invites you to dive too.

Located in Costa da Caparica, a very popular beach area, Bela Vista was the first naturist beach to be made official, in February 1995. One of the closest beaches to Lisbon, it stands out for its vast sand and for having several amenities just a few metres away. It is accessible by car, coming from the south via the 25 de Abril bridge or the A2, and also by public transport, namely train and bus.

There are few beaches with such explicit names as this beach in Tavira, since Homem Nu is Portuguese for naked man. It is one of the naturist beaches with the most difficult access, but the effort certainly pays off, given the incredible natural beauty of this paradisical destination, inserted in the Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is a more secluded beach, with four kilometres of sand, which invites you to go for some walks and many dives.

It was the last beach to be included among the official naturist beaches, in 2019. Near Vila Nova Milfontes, the Malhão Beach has an extensive stretch of sand available, making it possible to have more choice and more space. This area is part of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park, being a protected area. In addition, this sea is also very popular with surfers due to its waves.

Also historical among naturist beaches, it has been among the official destinations for naturism since the summer of 1995. Popularly known as Meco Beach, and also for the practice of nudism, it was originally called Beach of Moinho de Baixo. It is popular for its vast sandy beach and nearby fish restaurants, one of the hallmarks of this region of the Setúbal district.

Also known as Adiça Beach, it became popular under another name, for being near the NATO military base. From there to the beach, which has an extension of about 1.5 kilometres, it takes about 10 minutes on foot. Its place among naturist beaches distinguished Almada as the only municipality in the country with two beaches recognized as official nudist spaces.

Another beach hidden between cliffs, between the beaches of Cerro da Águia and Cerca Nova, it is ideal for those who enjoy a bit more privacy. Likewise, it also functions as a space sheltered from the intense winds that are sometimes felt on the Vicentina Coast. It has a vast and usual naturist community, which stays there during the summer. The surrounding landscapes are simply irresistible, as well as the typical gastronomy...