Porto, a city rich in heritage and culture, also serves as a gateway to some of Portugal’s most scenic beaches. Perfect for those opting to travel without a car, here are the top beaches near Porto easily accessible by public transport, whether train or bus. These are all great options for a day trip from Porto. Or, consider staying near one of these beaches for your visit to Porto.
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1. Matosinhos Beach
A favorite among locals and tourists alike, Matosinhos Beach offers a wide sandy beach ideal for sunbathing, surfing, or just enjoying a leisurely day by the sea. Matosinhos is known for its numerous seafood restaurants (O Clássico is one of our favorites), making it a great spot to try traditional Portuguese dishes and watch surfers tackle the Atlantic waves. Check out the many surf lessons and rentals available in Matosinhos. If you decide to stay in Matosinhos, check out the Eurostars Matosinhos if you’d like a full service hotel near the beach and the many fish restaurants.
How to Get from Porto to Matosinhos Beach by Public Transport
| By Metro | Take the blue line (line A) from the city center towards Matosinhos, which takes about 30 minutes and costs 1-2 Euros. The Matosinhos Sul stop is closest to the beach. |
| By Bus | Bus lines 500, 502, and 501, connect Porto to Matosinhos. Line 500 takes a bit longer and offers a picturesque route along the Douro River, and then the Atlantic Ocean. The journey can take about 40 minutes depending on traffic. |
| By Bike or on Foot | The bike or walk along the Douro River and the coast is mainly flat and hugs the shoreline, lasting 11.5 km. While it may seem a long walk, this is the first leg of the Portuguese Camino Litoral Route from Porto. |
2. Senhor da Pedras and Praia da Aguda
Miramar is famous for its picturesque chapel, Capela do Senhor da Pedra, located right on the beach, providing truly unique seaside scenery. After visiting the chapel, enjoy a day at the beach and a meal at one of the nearby cafés and restaurants, such as 12 Marés.
Connected by a pleasant coastal walk to the south, Aguda Beach is a quieter spot, known for its quaint fishing village charm. Aguda also has a small but fascinating Aguda Marine Station, dedicated to marine plants and animals. You can easily combine visits to both beaches in one day.
How to Get from Porto to Miramar Beaches by Public Transport
| By Metro | Take the Aveiro line train from Porto-Campanhã Station towards Aveiro, which costs 1-2 Euros each way. The Miramar stop (20 minutes) is closest to Praia Senhor da Pedra. Once off, walk 10-15 minutes west and you’ll run in to the beach. The Aguda stop (23 minutes) is closest to Praia da Aguda. After exiting, walk just a few blocks west to reach the beach. |
| By Bus | While it is possible to take the bus, this is more expensive and takes around an hour, much longer than the train options. |
| By Bike or on Foot | This is a beautiful bike ride or walk along the coast around 18 km long. It is easy to find bike rentals in Porto or Vila Nova de Gale. |
3. Viana do Castelo
This historical city not only boasts beautiful architecture but also stunning beaches. These include Praia do Cabedelo, known for excellent windsurfing conditions, and Praia Norte, with its extensive beach cafés, natural pools, playgrounds, and even a fort. Viana do Castelo’s old quarter, with its winding streets and traditional shops, adds a cultural flair to your beach visit. The Santa Luzia Basilica, perched on a hilltop, offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes that are not to be missed. We enjoyed the beautiful walk up to the sanctuary, via a series of stairs. It is also possible to drive up to the sanctuary or take the funicular. If you decide to stay in Viana do Castelo, consider staying at the FeelViana Sport Hotel, which we found to be quite unique. It is in a great location near the water, with a wide range of sport rentals available on site.
How to Get from Porto to Viana do Castelo by Public Transport
| By Train | The direct trains between Campanha station in Porto and Viana do Castelo take 1 hr 15- 1 hr 30 minutes, and cost 8-15 Euros each way. |
| By Bus | Direct buses run from the Porto bus station, taking about 1 hr 30 minutes and cost 9-10 Euros one way. |
4. Leça da Palmeira
Leça da Palmeira is known for its architectural landmarks such as the natural pools and the Boa Nova Tea House both designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, and the historical Leça Lighthouse. The beaches here are less crowded and offer serene spots for relaxation, looking out on the clear waters. It’s a perfect location for those looking for a mix of natural beauty and architectural interest. Like Matosinhos, this is another spectacular surf spot. You’ll find many options for surf rentals and tours. Unlike Matosinhos, Leça has natural pools, where you can swim by the seaside without worrying about the current or waves. If you have a chance to stay in Leçå da Palmeira, don’t miss walking down the paths near the beach to the lighthouse at sunset. We enjoyed our sunset walks almost every evening while staying here.
How to Get from Porto to Leça da Palmeira by Public Transport
| By Train | Take the blue line (line A) from the city center towards Matosinhos, which takes about 30 minutes and costs 1-2 Euros. The Matosinhos Mercado stop is adjacent to the drawbridge leading to Leça da Palmeira. After crossing the bridge, walk 10-15 minutes to get to the Leça beach. |
| By Bus | Bus line 500 connects Porto to Leça da Palmeira. Line 500 offers a picturesque route along the Douro River, and then the Atlantic Ocean. The journey can take about 40 minutes depending on traffic. |
5. Foz do Douro
Located at the confluence of the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean, Foz do Douro is an upscale town with small, picturesque beaches framed by rocky outcrops. The town offers chic dining spots, lush gardens, and beautiful promenades along the Atlantic. Walk away from the water to visit Foz do Douro’s original mercado (market) and to explore the historical charm of its streets and buildings.
Foz do Douro has a handful of beaches, which you can easily walk between on the coastal paths. The promenade has many cafés and restaurants to enjoy when in town. When visiting Porto in the winter, we enjoy taking a long walk along the coast and stopping for a coffee break at Tavi – Confeitaria da Foz.. Don’t miss a visit to the fort in Foz. If you prefer to stay near the beach while exploring Porto, Foz do Douro is one of the easiest options, with just a 20 minute tram or bus ride into town. The coastal walk and sunsets here are a beautiful and peaceful way to end your days.
How to Get from Porto to Foz do Douro by Public Transport
| Line 1 Tram | The line 1 tram runs from the Ribeira district along the Douro River towards Foz do Douro. The old-fashioned cars clatter along the riverside, taking under 20 minutes, and costing 3-5 Euros. |
| Line 200 Bus | The bus takes almost the same route as the tram, and costs 2-3 Euros. |
| Bike | Bike rentals are available in Porto and Foz. The bike ride takes 30-40 minutes, and runs on the same path as the tram. |
| Walk | This walk is the first section of the Portuguese Litoral Camino route and takes about 1 hr 15 min. While the route is quite scenic along the Douro River, there isn’t too much shade. |
Closing Thoughts
By exploring these beaches via public transport, not only do you add an element of adventure to your travels, but you also contribute to sustainability. Each destination near Porto presents its own unique allure, making this region a splendid base for beach enthusiasts looking to explore the enchanting northern coast of Portugal. Whether you decide to visit these beaches as a day trip from Porto or opt to stay on the coast, your travels are sure to be memorable with these unique locations. If you enjoyed the beaches around Porto, consider visiting the beaches in Cascais and Sintra (both near Lisbon) as well.
Where to Stay near Porto’s Beaches
| Eurostars Matosinhos | Full service hotel with pool and fitness center, close to both beach and fish restaurants. |
| Casa da Marechal – Boutique Hotel by Oporto Collection – Adults Only in Foz do Douro | Beautiful boutique hotel in Foz do Douro with pool, just a short walk to the beach. |
| FeelViana Sport Hotel Viana do Castelo | Beachfront sport hotel with plenty of water and land sports options available. |
| Casa Guerreiro – Regina Hotel Group Viana do Castelo | Fully renovated studios, just down the street from the water. |
| Casa da Granja Boutique Praia da Aguda | Boutique hotel with pool just 3 minutes walk from Praia da Aguda. |
| Apartamentos Turisticos Ceu Azul Praia Senhor da Pedra | Tourist apartments, some with beautiful views, just 5 minutes walk to Capelo do Senhor da Pedra. |
| Leça Apartments in Leça da Palmeira | Fully refurbished and air conditioned apartments, some with patio, about 10-15 minutes walk from the beach. These are in a quiet residential neighborhood. |
| Porto.Leça – Studios and Apts in Leça da Palmeira | Air conditioned studio apartments just a 3 minute walk from Leça beach. |
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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline, RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Flixbus, Busbud |
[…] All of these Porto beaches can be accessed by public transportation. […]
[…] we spent 4 hours/day for one week. That left me with afternoons free to explore some wonderful beaches near Porto. After nearly a year of Duolingo, I took a placement test for the class, and was placed into the A1 […]
Foz do Douro sounds a wonderful option with a few beaches to enjoy and walking paths between them. I am planning to go to Porto soon, so I will check out some of your suggestions.
Foz do Douro is great, whether for a half day or even to use as a base when visiting Porto.
I love how accessible these are via public transportation! I really dread renting cars in other countries (I also hate driving in my own!) so accessible public transportation is always key on trips I take!
We rented a car in Portugal and did not enjoy driving it in some old towns and narrows streets and we scraped it actually turning into a parking garage. We will definitely not rent a car when we go back so this is great!
Sorry to hear about your driving experience. We have had some challenging experiences in apartment parking garages as well, especially in Madeira. We generally use cars outside of the cities, but try to avoid them in the bigger cities. Public transport is quite good around the cities like Porto.
We sure loved the beaches in the Algarve…just wished we had more time to explore them!
Portugal’s beaches are wonderful. I found the beaches near Porto quite different from those in the Algarve. Fewer cliffs, but still beautiful in their own right.
Portugal has such a beautiful coastline with many beaches to visit – I love these suggestions from Porto. As I grew up at a beach in Australia I always love visiting beaches in other countries – so I’m there!
[…] Cascais and Sintra not only enchant with their historic sites and lush landscapes but also with their diverse and stunning coastlines and beaches. From the surfer’s paradise at Praia do Guincho to the secluded beauty of Praia da Ursa, these beaches cater to all preferences, and are just a short distance from Lisbon’s buzz. Ensure your itinerary includes the best beaches in Cascais and Sintra for a truly comprehensive exploration of Portuguese coastal charm. If you enjoyed the beaches in Cascais and Sintra, you may also enjoy exploring the beaches around Porto. […]
Miramar looks so lovely and not busy at all. I like that you provided public transportation options too because I don’t drive. thanks for sharing!
Thank you, hope you can visit these beaches!
During my three months in Portugal, I only visited two beaches: one in the Algarve another at Figueira do Foz. I was surprised at how cold the water was! Also, the beach in Figueira do Foz was so wide that a local joked you needed a camel to get from the street to the water!
I like the camel story. None of these beaches needed a camel, but there are some closer to Lisbon that could use one 🙂
I didn’t realise that Porto was so close to beaches!
They are incredibly close to Porto, which makes it super easy to visit the city in the morning, and head to the beach for the afternoon.
So, I got to visit Porto, however not its beaches, so I have to get back. They all look so great. Foz do Douro and Leca da Palmeira look so good in the pictures.
I stayed in Leça for over a week on my last week, and really enjoyed it. There are few tourists there. Foz do Douro also felt less touristy than others, more like a nice seaside town one could live in.
Great info and gorgeous photos! Portugal is on our family’s travel list so I have pinned this info for later 🙂
Thank you, hope you have a chance to use this info for a visit.
We are headed back to Portugal this Fall. Your series of posts around Porto has got us thinking about spending some time in that area. October might not be the right time for beaches for swimming. But it still looks like there are some great beach spots for us to enjoy the view.
It probably depends when in October you’re there. The winters in Porto and north are rainier, but October may be fine. Even if you can’t swim, exploring the area and walks along the beach, enjoying the view you can certainly do.
What an adventure to see the beaches while managing bus transportation!
Wow, what a beautiful place! I hope to make it there someday!
Both Porto and the areas around it are wonderful to visit, I hope you have a chance to make it there.
[…] Getting to Foz do Douro from Porto is quick and straight forward. It is one of our favorite beach towns near Porto easily accessible by public transport. […]
[…] for its many excellent seafood restaurants and long pristine beaches, and is one of our favorite beaches near Porto accessible by public transport. There is much more to Matosinhos though. Here’s a list of the top ten things to do when visiting […]
[…] explore the charming surroundings that are just a short drive away. Whether you’re a fan of beaches, history, or stunning natural landscapes, these day trips promise memorable experiences for every […]
[…] traditional Portuguese cuisine, and beautiful and relaxing beaches. It is one of our favorite beach towns near Porto, easily accessible by public transport (along with Foz do Douro and Matosinhos). From the panoramic views at the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia […]