Adraga Beach, in Sintra, is Portugal’s highest-rated beach in 2026. This conclusion comes from a new study by Holidu, a vacation rental booking platform, which analyzed thousands of Google Maps reviews to compile a ranking of the highest-rated Portuguese beaches—and the results show that the Vicentine Coast and the Lisbon region also have a lot to offer, beyond the well-known Algarve.
Adraga at the top, complete with a rock arch
With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars and 2,847 reviews, Adraga Beach tops the list. Nestled against the cliffs of the Sintra coast, it is known for its imposing rock arch and is also a favorite among surfers, as it is generally less crowded than neighboring beaches.
A beach accessible only by boat
In second place is Cacela Velha Beach, in the Algarve, also with 4.8 stars, based on 2 ,219 reviews. Located within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, it’s only accessible by boat—a crossing that costs €1 and has become something of a ritual for visitors. With no restaurants or bars, the beach more than makes up for it with its tranquility and seclusion.
Ursa and Bordeira are also in the top 5
Rounding out the top three is Ursa Beach, also in Sintra, with 1,948 reviews and 4.8 stars—known for the bear-shaped rock that gives it its name, and for a challenging access trail that helps preserve its wild character. Next, in the Algarve, are Bordeira Beach, near Carrapateira, with a sandy shore that expands at low tide and a natural lagoon popular with families, and Odeceixe Beach, where the stream meets the Atlantic, creating a freshwater area ideal for young children.
Portugal also shines in Europe
In the European ranking from the same study, Portugal has ten beaches in the top 25, making it the second-most represented country, just behind the United Kingdom. Adraga Beach enters the continental top 10 for the first time, taking 10th place —the highest ranking ever achieved by a Portuguese beach in this study.
Methodology
Holidu analyzed the Google Maps database for the term “beach” across all of Portugal’s coastal provinces, starting with more than 9,500 results, from which those that did not correspond to actual beaches were excluded. The final ranking is based on the average rating given by users, with the number of reviews serving as a tiebreaker. Beaches with fewer than 100 reviews were excluded, as the average might not be representative. The data was collected in 2026.
The Top 10
Top 10 beaches in Portugal:
– 1st Praia da Adraga (Sintra) — 4.8
– 2nd: Cacela Velha Beach (Algarve) — 4.8
– 3rd: Ursa Beach (Sintra) — 4.8
– 4th: Bordeira Beach (Algarve) — 4.8
– 5th Odeceixe Beach (Algarve) — 4.8
– 6th: Praia da Prainha (Algarve) — 4.8
– 7th: Cordoama Beach (Algarve) — 4.8
– 8th Castelejo Beach (Algarve) — 4.8
– 9th: Amália Beach (Algarve) — 4.8
– 10th Praia da Falésia (Algarve) — 4.7
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