Enderts Beach and other Secluded Beaches

Can you tell me the best beach resorts in or close to northern portugal?

I am flying to Porto and want to spend a couple of days there and move onto a beach holiday without having to drive more than about 3 hours? Any 3 or 4* accomodation recommendations also greatly appreciated .....

Public Comments

1. There is a beach in Porto, it's the whole Foz area, but the beaches in the north of Portugal have very cold water (16, 17 celsius max)... But there are many and very beautiful, between Porto and Viana do Castelo.
2. This is a very beautiful area, and there are so many to visit. The ones I've been to are ones in Figueira da Foz, Mira, and Torcha. They are all very accessible and are very clean. There is also alot of neat little shops around there and places to eat
3. Beach in Portuguese is 'praia' (in case you wonder what 'praia' means) I've been to all of these beaches if not to roast under the sun, at least to have a drink and enjoy a good chat with my friends. In Porto you can go to the Foz area - praia dos Ingleses, praia da Luz (this beach isn't very good, but the cafe behind it is fabulous, and you can go there only for a drink and relax while you have your bathing suit on. It is very popular during the night), praia do homem do leme, praia do Ourigo (popular during the night too). Matosinhos - praia do castelo do queijo, praia da memoria (there's a restaurant/bar there that is very nice), praia da boa-nova (close to the lighthouse, if you go here, have a meal or a cocktail in Boa Nova Tea house, but don't go there in your bathing suit, this is a fancy place), praia de Angeiras, praia da Leça da Palmeira (it has some swimming pools in case you don't want to go to the sea, you have to pay to go to this beach. However next to this one there's another which is free), praia do Cabo do Mundo. V. N. de Gaia - praia de Lavadores, praia da aguda, praia da Madalena, praia da Granja. Outside of Porto further north, you can go to Vila do Conde or Póvoa de Varzim (and have a go in the casino), Caminha (and stay there for the nightlife) South you can go to Aveiro, Esposende, Esmoriz, Figueira da Foz is very popular and picturesque. I must warn you that beaches in North of Portugal aren't as pleasant as the ones in Algarve, the water is cold, windy beaches and the weather right now is completely crazy, these last few days it has been very warm (above 30 degrees Celsius) and there are some days when it is raining (not very usual for this time of the year, but it has been raining now and then) The best beaches have a blue flag which means that their water quality is good, as well as safety, provision of services and general environmental management. For accommodation I would recommend Le Meridien, Infante Sagres Hotel (5*), Pestana Porto Hotel in Ribeira (4*), Ipanema Hotel (there are two - one close to Boavista (4*), and the other is close to Foz which is called Ipanema Park Hotel (5*)), Sheraton Hotel, Dom Henrique Hotel (4*) (nice bar with nice cocktails and spectacular view... ignore the car park next to it) These are all nice hotels. I know you asked for 3 or 4* hotels, but 5* hotels in Portugal aren't very expensive. If you are on a budget then I recommend Ibis Hotel or Novotel in V. N. de Gaia Have fun in my home town - Porto. If you need any advise about Porto (what to see, where to have a good typical meal, etc.) send me a message, I will be more than happy to help.
4. There are good beaches in the Foz are of Porto as others have said. The Hotel Boa Vista is located there, it is very good and excellently located for the beach and town. You can walk along the Sea front or down the River to the old town if you like walking, or get the bus/Taxi if you wish. Out of Porto I am not sure.
5. Caiscais is probably outside of your range, but that's about as North Portugal Beachy as I like to get. You go to Northern Portugal not so much for beach but for all the other beautiful wonderful things of Portugal. Call me crazy, but when I get too far north of Lisboa, I tend to move inland. I adore Monsanto; has to be the cutest village I've ever seen!
6. oh! the 3rd person,chocolate cookie got it!!!