With dreamy seaside villages, enchanting old architecture that includes a sprinkling of fairy-tale castles, and a rich gastronomic tradition comprised of grilled sardines and bacalhau, Portugal is a destination that satiates all senses. Porto, Lisbon, Faro – the major cities are situated on the coast, a testament to Portugal’s long seafaring history.

But the most enchanting parts are its beaches and coastal towns that are bastions of tradition – and not to mention its friendly people. Perched on the westernmost edge of continental Europe and tumbling into the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal’s gold-sand beaches are backed by windswept cliffs. Whether it’s surfing or sunbathing, a small fishing village or an upscale resort that you seek, there is something for all.

Atlantic Coast: Surf, seafood and culture

Some of the best beaches in Portugal are found along the Atlantic Coast, and the stretch from Porto down to Lisbon is called the Silver Coast for the silver glint the sun casts on the ocean’s lapping waves. Porto, home to sweet port wine, historic churches, an ornate library and colorful pattern-tiled buildings on the steep hills of the Ribeira, is Portugal’s culture capital. South of Porto is Aveiro, one of the best beach towns in Portugal, and known as the “Venice of Portugal” for its network of canals. Walk by the colorful striped homes by the beach in Costa Nova and admire the Barrinha lagoon in Praia de Mira.

Nazaré draws a different type of beach crowd – the waves reach several stories high and watching pro surfers tackle the swells is a trance-like experience. Just a few cobblestone streets away from the untamed coast, Nazaré is a charming town with old fishermen’s quarters converted into boutique resorts.

Further south, Peniche’s emerald-green waters beckon surfers and sunbathers. A moss-covered walkway carved into craggy rock leads to a 16th-century fortress, a reminder of Peniche’s turbulent past. Also of historical importance are the fabric shops in town – lace-making is a tradition that dates back centuries and artisans still use the hand-lace technique today. Save time to sample amazing fresh seafood such as sea bass, eel and crab.

Heading towards Lisbon, Ericeira and Cascais are wonderful, if complementary, towns that are both famous for gastronomy as much as surfing. The former, known for its care-free surfer attitude, was a traditional fishing village and the latter, where the Portuguese nobility once vacationed, still retains an aristocratic air.

Ericeira, named after the sea urchins of the area, is perched on 30-meter-high cliffs and has remarkable sandy beaches that cater to all levels of surfers. You’ll also want to try the grilled sardines and seafood rice in the town. Cascais, by contrast, is 19 miles from Lisbon and distinctive for its lush villas and palatial buildings that line the seafront. Take a stroll through the Mercado da Vila, where all colors of fruits and vegetables are represented and have a seafood platter or stone bass fillet on tomato rice at one of the many fine-dining restaurants.

The Algarve: Most beautiful beaches in Portugal

The Algarve, which rounds up the southern tip, is home to some of the top beaches in Portugal that are remarkable for their golden shores with secluded bays and coves. For example, a crescent-shaped surf beach, the elusive Praia da Arrifana is backed by black cliffs and accessible by a steep pedestrian-only road.

Another well-hidden beach, Praia da Marniha is also one of the best beaches in Portugal for swimming. Here, you’ll find Benagil cave, an otherworldly limestone cave covering a hidden beach with two arches opening into the sea and a hole above where sunlight shines through, illuminating the orange swirl patterns of the cave walls and gentle ripples of the water. Kayak, stand-up paddle or simply float on your back in the water staring up at the brilliant light and shadows

For snorkeling, head to Praia do Carvalho, a tucked-away cove an hour’s drive west of Faro and shielded from street level by two limestone cliffs that stretch skywards. The entrance to this beach is via a tunnel marked by marine fossils on the walls and the turquoise waters teem with marine life swimming in and out of underwater rock formations.

And for the quintessential upscale beach experience, Praia do Ancão has a vast stretch of soft white sand and some of the best beach hotels in Portugal. It also boasts the Algarve’s most delicious seafood, such as 2 Passos, a Michelin-starred beachfront restaurant that serves scampi, clams and all sorts of delightful seafood-centric tapas in a light-wood interior that camouflages with the sand.

Naya handpicked spot: Do not miss - Sintra Castle

The land of fairy-tale castles, Sintra is not to be missed. Up in the Sintra Mountains, Pena Palace is a magical 19th-century palace painted in hues of yellow and red and shrouded in a forest. On a windswept rocky cliff lies the Moorish Castle, a 10th-century medieval stone castle, standing regal over the ocean. And the early 20th-century moody gray Quinta da Regaleira is equally enchanting with a moss-covered, fern-fitted garden that holds many untold tales.

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