NORTH SINTRA

Possibly the Sintra's least known beach, Praia da Vigiais a local secret that you should definitely take advantage of as it offers over a kilometre of beautiful golden sands that are often free of other visitors. There are signs that this beach has been promoted in the past, as there is a reasonably-sized car park above the cliffs and the remains of a walkway down the cliffs.

 

The walkway ends abruptly, however, and reverts to a typical cliff trail that may deter many visitors from completing the descent down to the beach. Even though the well-known resort and surfing mecca, Ericeira can be clearly seen from the sand, the high cliffs of Vigia ensure its sense of seclusion, which is perhaps why it’s known locally as a naturist beach

As this is only frequented by adventurous locals and fishermen, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll have this beach all to yourself. The fact that it remains largely undisturbed is because the access is difficult. In an area where most beaches are backed by beautiful cliffs, Giribeto has, in our opinion, the most spectacular and seemingly the most precarious. To access the beach, you will have to brave a steep, winding climb down. There is usually a fixed rope that has been placed by local fishermen.

 

Inexperienced hikers or those with a fear of heights should not venture down to this one. For those who do, it’s best to go at low tide, when the beach opens up its many rock pools and gives you the chance to view the cliffs from the shore. This is not a beach for bathing as the waves here are usually big and powerful.

A wild, beautiful and empty beach with fascinating cliffs awaits those who walk down the recently restored steps down the cliff. These steps have to be rebuilt or restored on a seemingly regular basis as this coastline meets the full force of the Atlantic Ocean. The steps are a big improvement on the previous wooden ones, making access much easier, safer and appropriate for children to walk down.

 

There is a viewing platform above the beach which is popular at sunset, but for those wanting remoteness the walk down to Praia da Aguda will not disappoint. There isn’t much of a beach at high tide. We strongly suggest coming here when the tide is low, which allows you to enjoy an extensive stretch of sand. For further seclusion, pass the rocks to the south to find two further beaches that are backed by stunning cliffs. Walking from Aguda to Magoito is possible during low tide, especially when spring tides occur

Praia da Samarra is a stunningly beautiful beach that has everything nature lovers would want. It is an unusually narrow beach that faces northwest, with cliffs on both sides offering shelter from the prevailing winds. The beach has a stream (Ribeira da Samarra), which is at its deepest by the mill and then flows intothe sea, enhancing the beach’s natural beauty. Praia da Samarra is rich in fauna and flora and has been popular since pre-history, with evidence of a human presence for over 4000 years.

 

Information at the beach states that there was once an ancient village on the southern cliffs. An ancient cemetery has also been discovered on the opposite side of the cliff, with the bones of over 100 individuals having been unearthed. Strong currents can be an issue here, so swimming is only suitable for strong swimmers. At low tide in the summer season, there is often a shallow natural pool that is perfect for small children. Access to the car park is via a narrow dirt track

Praia da Magoito is neither a secret nor a wild beach but it deserves its entry for a number of reasons. It’s one of the few beaches in this region that has easy access and has plenty of facilities, providing a safer alternative to Sintra’s more remote beaches. It is a large beach, so it’s easy to find a space all to yourself, especially walking south away from the entrance to the beach.

 

Another stretch of sand can be found after passing the rocks in the middle of the beach. The waters here have some of the highest iodine levels in the whole of Europe, making a swim or paddle here even more beneficial, especially for your immune system. There are also some marked hiking trails from the beach, one of which follows the stream through the valley and is highly recommended. An impressive fossilised sand dune is on your left as you walk down the ramp towards the beach from the car park