Before you plan a visit to Portugal beaches, it's essential that you plan your trip carefully so that you don't waste any time while you're there. This will also help you to save as much money as possible and to find the best beach vacation for your needs, desires and interests. Read on for a brief overview of some of the hottest beaches in all of Portugal.

The Algarve

The Algarve is perhaps the most famous section of beaches in all of Portugal. This hot spot is a tourist draw for visitors from all over Europe and the rest of the world as well. Located on the southern tip of the country, there are several different tourist towns and beaches to be found in this region. The beaches here tend to have pure, crystal white sand and interesting rock and cave formations. The famous Lagos and Praia da Rocha are two of the most famous cove beaches, which are famous for having isolated inlets and coves for swimming and sunbathing. A number of tourist resort towns and larger private resorts dot the area, giving travelers their pick of different locations.

The Beiras

The Beiras are the beaches directly west of Lisbon, closest to the major centers of Portugal. These are perhaps the busiest of all of the beaches in this country, and with good reason. They are wide, beautiful and full of activity. They are best suited for younger travelers or active adventurers, and there is plenty by way of volleyball, swimming, boating, and other activities along the water, not to mention restaurants and nightlife inland a little way off of the beach. These do also tend to be the most expensive of the beaches in Portugal.

Costa Del Sol

Costa del Sol is another beach area west of Lisbon by about 20 miles. It features two prominent beach areas; Cascais and Estoril are the hubs in Costa del Sol. These resorts have a reputation for being overpriced and ultra fancy, but they cater to a variety of different budgets and travelers. Many people have found that these resorts have a good mix of travelers from all parts of Europe, as well as further afield.

Portugal is a country famous for its beaches. Contact the tourism board for additional information if you're wondering about where to go.