Beaches where you can swim safely can be found in Salir do Porto, in the bay of São Martinho do Porto, in Nazaré and in the lagoon of Foz do Arelho. In summer these beaches have safety flags and lifeguards. If you want to sunbathe on a beach directly on the Atlantic Ocean, you can do so in Foz do Arelho and on the Praia do Salgado to the north of São Martinho do Porto. However, be careful! Along the Atlantic coast, the ocean is often wild with many dangerous undercurrents!
Even in the middle of summer the Praia de Salgado is a relief. There is a small restaurant, with a parking place next to it. The manager of the restaurant has understood it well: this piece is worth gold. So he asks a few euros, but then you practically park your car on the beach! The immense beach of Praia do Salgado can only be reached via a small road. From São Martinho there is a beautiful route over the ridge that separates sea and land. It is easier to take the N242 in Famalicão de Rua da Igreja. This turns into the Estrada Serra da Pescadaria. This will continue to the junction with the Rua Bartolomeu Dias. There you go down. The entrance of the beach (and the little beach where you can park) is at the Rua do Turista.”
FROM “ZIN IN PORTUGAL” (SENSE OF PORTUGAL)