Along its 30 kilometres of coastline, Sines offers beaches for everyone, from families to adventurers.
FAMILY BEACHES
The main beaches in the Sines area are permanently manned with lifeguards during the bathing season, provided with appropriate facilities and maintain excellent standards of cleanliness. The beaches of Morgavel, Vale Figueiros, S. Torpes, Praia Grande do Porto Covo and Ilha do Pessegueiro, which have regularly been awarded European Blue Flags in recent years, are known for their excellent natural qualities and for being suitable for all ages of bathers, from children to senior citizens.
THE COSY BEACHES OF PORTO COVO
There are no beaches like the beaches of Porto Covo, one of the prettiest villages in Portugal located on one of the most beautiful coastlines. The Praia Grande and Praia da Ilha beaches are large and easily accessible. The whole coastline is rich in small cosy beaches of fine sand and clear waters, separated by large rocks that seem as if they have been deliberately placed there, to create a feeling of intimacy and seclusion. The beaches belong to everybody, but it is tempting to say: “choose your own!” - Vale Figueiros, Oliveirinha, Foz, Burrinho, Samouqueira (and how magnificent Samouqueira is...), Pequena, Espingardeiro and Búzios are some of the names of these treasures, as precious as they are small. All these beaches are of the best quality in terms of standards of cleanliness, but access to some of them is difficult and not all of them are permanently manned by lifeguards.
NUDIST BEACHES
Salto is one of the smallest beaches in the Porto Covo area. Located between Cerro da Águia and Cerca Nova, it has an atmosphere of privacy and tranquillity. Since 2002 it has been one of a few nudist beaches officially recognised in Portugal.
HISTORIC BEACHES
The beaches of Sines have more to offer than sun and sea. They also offer history and soul.
Vasco da Gama Beach: Part of the urban fabric of Sines and witness to the main events of the its history – from pirate attacks to King Miguel’s departure to exile, this beach is part of the face of Sines and part of the heart of its residents. Located next to the fishing port, it is as charming as ever and is well worth visiting both in summer and winter. The promenade is a popular place for walks and jogging.
São Torpes Beach: The most popular beach in the district is closely associated with the legend of St Torpes, whose martyred body was washed up on the sands in the first Century of the Christian era. “São Torpes Raft”, a naval archaeological curiosity, is still occasionally used for fishing.
Pessegueiro Island Beach: the Carthaginians and the Romans used the Pessegueiro Island Canal as a port of shelter on the difficult northward journey along the Alentejo coast. The remains of a Roman salt fish plant have been found on the island. (The island takes it name from “piscis”, meaning fish, rather than from peach tree, the meaning of the Portuguese word, pessegueiro). At the end of the 16th Century, plans were made to use the island as a great sea port (some of the blocks used to begin construction can still be seen).
EVASION BEACHES
The Sines Cape divides the Alentejo coastline into two halves. To the south, lie small beaches separated by rocks. To the north, stretch kilometre after kilometre of unbroken sandy beaches, extending as far as the Tróia peninsula. This area represents a completely different way of visiting and enjoying the beach. It is an area of big spaces and energetic seas. Because of the rough seas and deep waters, the coast to the north of Sines is not suited to bathing, but it offers great enjoyment for those who enjoy solitary walks and the excitement of the elements. Rich fishing grounds along the north coast’s underwater caves, attract divers and underwater hunters.