In recent years, the number of beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility or wheelchair-friendly has increased in Portugal. Today there are a total of 188 beaches and bathing areas capable of accommodating a public with mobility difficulties, so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of Portuguese beaches. Some also have the necessary equipment so that people with reduced mobility can swim and practice other activities. What are the best beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility? Where are the seaside areas open to the disabled? LisBob, the expat assistant, has prepared a complete list of the best accessible & wheelchair-friendly beaches for disabled in Portugal.

History of accessible beaches in portugal

For the year 2020, there are 188 seaside areas - sea and river - in Portugal accessible to people with reduced mobility. These beaches are identified by a white flag bearing the Accessible Beach symbol in blue and yellow and have reserved parking spaces, pedestrian access, walkways on the sand and adapted toilets. In particular, many of these beaches have facilities (amphibious chairs or other means) that facilitate access to the water and are wheelchair-friendly.

This allows people with mobility difficulties to be able to bathe, although help is always needed. The Accessible Beach Prize is awarded every year and the number of areas awarded continues to increase each year, reflecting the commitment of the various Portuguese entities to providing the beaches with facilities that can be used by all.

This allows people with mobility difficulties to be able to bathe, although help is always needed. The Accessible Beach Prize is awarded every year and the number of areas awarded continues to increase each year, reflecting the commitment of the various Portuguese entities to providing the beaches with facilities that can be used by all.

PRAIA DO CARVOEIRO

It is one of the best accessible beaches for people with reduced mobility in Portugal It is one of the best accessible beaches for people with reduced mobility in Portugal Located near a cliff, where the small fishermen's houses are harmoniously distributed, Carvoeiro Beach is a beautiful and picturesque image of the Algarve coast. On its small sheltered beach and much sought after by swimmers, fishermen's boats also used to take walks along the coast await, in order to make known the beautiful caves and caverns in the surroundings.

Very close to the beach there is a wide choice of restaurants, bars and plazas, as there is no separation between the lively town of Carvoeiro and the beach. It is one of the best accessible beaches for people with reduced mobility in the Algarve.

PRAIA DE ARMAÇÃO DE PERA

Algarve is known for its beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility The Algarve is known for its beaches accessible to people with reduced mobility Once a small fishing village, Armação de Pêra is today one of the busiest villages in the Algarve, with a wide variety of facilities for animation and entertainment. In the old part of the city are preserved old low houses, and the slide which is opposite, has a vast expanse, much sought after by visitors and locals.

The area east of the beach, still part of the urban perimeter, is called Pescadores beach (fishermen), since it is still for the work of fishing. Sometimes you can buy fresh fish!

PRAIA DA FIGUEIRINHA

Another beautiful beach accessible to people with reduced mobility Portugal Another beautiful beach accessible to people with reduced mobility Portugal Located 1 hour by car from the Portuguese capital and having as a backdrop the beautiful Serra de Arrábida, Figueirinha beach is one of the best known and sought after in the region, due to the ease of access and the calm of its beaches. waters.

This beach has a vast expanse, which at low tide extends into the sea by a tongue of sand, giving rise to a sort of cove, where windsurfing is usually practiced. It is a beach accessible to people with reduced mobility.

PRAIA DE SANTA CRUZ

Santa Cruz Beach is located north of Lisbon. It has a large area, and is divided into several small beaches, the most famous being the beaches of Navio, Mirante, Pisão, Física, Centro, Santa Helena, Formosa and Azul Beach. The purity of the water and the sand, as well as the characteristic beauty conferred by the picturesque rocks, make Santa Cruz a very popular seaside resort accessible to people with reduced mobility.

At the southern end, the cliffs of Ponta da Vigia, mark the beginning of a set of rocks, among which stands out the Rock of Guincho, with 30 meters in height and 100 in circumference that opens at the base in a vaulted space crossed by the sea. Overhanging its rocks, there are curious terraces, from where one can admire the days of blue sky, admire a vast panorama which extends to Cabo Carvoeiro and the Berlengas Islands.

Equipped with infrastructures which include the swimming pool and an Olympic shooting pit, the animation during the summer period is supplemented by tourist flights from the local aerodrome as well as by a series of events.

PRAIA DE ALVOR

Located in the Algarve, Alvor is a dream beach, surrounded by excellent hotels and equipped with complete infrastructure to accommodate people with reduced mobility.

The origins of the picturesque fishing village of Alvor date back to the Arab occupation, when it was an important port. Although there are no visible testimonies of this period, it is interesting to walk through the historic center of the city, and to admire the magnificent entrance door of the Matriz Church, in Manueline style.

Nature lovers should not miss a visit to the Ria de Alvor, an area of ​​lagoons of international importance, and a crossing point for various water birds when they move during their migratory journeys between the north and the south.

PRAIA DE MIRA

Mira Beach was a fishing village during the first half of the 20th century, whose daily life is revealed at the Ethnographic Museum, installed precisely in a fisherman's house restored for the occasion.

Today, Mira Beach is a busy seaside resort, with stretches of fine white sand surrounded by dunes, and bathed by the strong ripple of the Atlantic Ocean, which attracts many surfers. This beach is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility.

PRAIA DA COSTA NOVA

Located south of the beautiful town of Aveiro, Costa Nova Beach is known for the wooden fishermen's houses, painted with brightly colored stripes alternating with white. Built to house or store fishing tools, these restored “straws” today constitute pleasant holiday homes.

Bathed by a rough sea, appreciated by surfers, the Beach of Costa Nova do Prado has a vast expanse, which extends to the south towards the Beach of Vagueira, will allow people with reduced mobility to enjoy splendid landscapes and fresh air.

PRAIA DA AGUDA

Located halfway between Gaia (Porto) and Espinho, Aguda beach has a vast expanse that stretches from Miramar in the north, and extends to Granja, further south. It is the best beach in the north accessible to people with reduced mobility.

With strong waves, this beach is sought after by surfers, and also offers good conditions so that people having trouble getting around can practice activities or even swim.

PRAIA DA AREIA BRANCA

Located south of Peniche, Areia Branca beach offers excellent conditions for people with reduced mobility.

Being the best known in the municipality of Lourinhã, it is also the most lively beach, due to its many bars and restaurants located on the seafront promenade that runs along the wide beach, and by the presence of many young people who stay in the Youth Hostel located here. Everyone will find what they are looking for and will be able to benefit from the quality infrastructures.

And There you go ! We took a tour of the best accessible beaches for people with reduced mobility in Portugal.

Obviously this list is not exhaustive: if you have any suggestions or ideas, please let us know in the comments!

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