Although Porto is best known for the Douro River, the city is of course also located by the sea. On the Atlantic Ocean that is. Logically, not everyone thinks about the beach when visiting a city with an ancient center that is on the World Heritage List. Where you can see so many other beautiful places.

Yet, you can simply go to the beach within or just outside the city limits when you are in Porto. It hardly takes any time. Depending on your location, you can get there within just 15 to 30 minutes, by bus, bicycle, old tram, or Uber.

The beaches of Porto are located at the beginning of the so-called Costa Verde (Green Coast), the elongated coastline of northwest Portugal. It is a beautiful coastal strip with a rough, cold sea, flanked with golden beaches and rugged rocks.

Surfers can also be found there, including on the beach of Matosinhos, originally a fishing village close to Porto.

Beach at Matosinhos

Let’s start with the beach of Matosinhos. It is easily accessible by metro or bus, and popular among locals. You don’t go there for the architecture or the typical Portuguese houses, but for its wide, golden beach, the promenade, the cycle paths, and perhaps also for itsgood seafood restaurants. With waves suitable for beginners and advanced surfers, Matosinhos beach is much loved by the local and international surfing community. It is also a popular destination for tourists taking surfing lessons over the summer.

Praia do Molhe.

In the Foz district, Porto’s chique beach district, Praia do Molhe is another beach worth visiting. Molhe also has its own beach café, and a promenade with gardens, as well as a nice cycle path. What is particularly striking is the stone jetty that runs from the beach into the sea. This was once constructed to somewhat shield the water here from the northern swell. In addition, the Pérgola da Foz, a pergola with pillars, was built in the 1930s to embellish the boulevard.

Praia dos Ingleses 

Also in the Foz district, you will find Praia dos Ingleses (Beach of the English), which is located next to the Douro estuary. There is always a lot happening at the beach strip in Foz, with its many bars and cafes. The bars here remain open until the early hours of the morning while the beach offers a great sunset.

The advantage of the beaches located in Foz is that you can get to them with the old wooden tram. The stop at the São Francisco Church, near Ribeira and Palácio da Bolsa, is the starting and ending point of the tram. The trams from Foz that arrive at these locations also stop there, after which the seats are turned over and the return journey to Foz can begin again. It is a beautiful trip in the creaking and squeaking electric, as it is called. Along the river with picturesque views. You can buy a ticket on the tram. You can also take the same route with bus 500, a journey that costs around €2, depending on which part of the city you leave from.