Praia do Beliche, Portugal
Grab your board for this week’s Beach of the Week as we’ve headed to the blissed-out surf beach of Beliche. Perched on Portugal’s most westerly tip and a stone’s throw from the windswept, sun-soaked town of Sagres, the gorgeously golden beach of Praia do Beliche is a low-key Portuguese paradise.
Surf is well and truly up in Sagres (trust us this is the reason why the sleepy town shakes off its slumber each morning) and nearby Beliche is a true beaut. Encased by craggy cliffs, Beliche’s sandy bay is sheltered from the wind meaning deep tan topping, whilst out on the water the waves are whipped up. Ok, so clambering down 100-plus steps with a surfboard in tow isn’t the most glamorous of manoeuvres but save your showcase moves for out on the surf as this is top territory for local “hotdogs” (yep you heard it) and whilst a “goofy” won’t be glared at, “dropping in” is a big no-no.
Beliche’s wide open expanse of crashing Atlantic Ocean is a breath of fresh air from the Algarve’s usual suspects of expats and golfers. Post surf-sesh head 15 minutes east to the sandy stretch of Zavial. This is where the native guys and girls hang loose, supping on a beer and chomping on calamari in the laidback beach bar while dissecting the day. Oh the simple life.
WHEN: consistent swell year round, June – Sept for sun-seekers
WHAT TO PACK FOR OUR BEACH OF THE WEEK:
The beach of Beliche is a Portuguese surfers’ paradise so look the part in Hurley’s bandeau bikini, protect the pout with Bobbi Brown’s SPF lip balm and feel at one with the waves after a post-surf read of Jaimal Yogis’ Saltwater Buddha. With our pick of four summery tracks, even if hitting the water with the best of them just isn’t your thing you’ll still be falling in line with this laidback surfer soundtrack.
the bag: Topshop’s Multi Petal Print Shopper, £28
the swimwear: Hurley’s Line Drive Tunnel bikini, £47
the playlist:
Nikka Costa’s Everybody Got Their Something
the products: Bobbi Brown SPF 15 lip balm, £14 and Invisible Zinc water resistant sunscreen SPF 30, £16.95
the read: Saltwater Buddha by Jaimal Yogis
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