The Best Gay Beaches in Portugal

Portugal has been rising in the ranks of LGBTQ+ travel destinations, and for beach lovers it’s pure bliss. With a long Atlantic coastline, Portugal has everything from secluded dunes to urban beaches – and naturally, some stretches of sand have become favorites of the gay community.

The vibe is laid-back (must be all that sun and surf mellowing everyone out), and Portuguese folks are generally welcoming and tolerant, especially in cosmopolitan areas and tourist spots. Here’s a tour of the best gay beaches in Portugal, including where they are, what kind of crowd you’ll find, and what to expect when you go for a dip (or a dip into the dunes, as the case may be).

Beach 19 (Praia 19, near Lisbon)

This is the iconic gay beach of Portugal – arguably one of the most famous in all Europe. Beach 19 (also called Praia de Bela Vista at Costa da Caparica) is often touted as Europe’s largest gay nude beach. And indeed, it’s huge: a seemingly endless expanse of sand backed by tall dunes and a pine forest. Located on the south side of the Tagus River from Lisbon, it’s about a 30-40 minute drive from the city (or reachable by a little beach tram in summer).

What to expect? Clothing is very optional. Most sunbathers here wear what they feel like – many go nude, some might sport speedos or bikinis. 
No one bats an eyelid no matter what you do or don’t do clothing-wise. The crowd is predominantly gay men, though lesbians and straight nudists also visit, and everyone mingles happily. It’s a very international mix in summer – you’ll hear French, English, Spanish, German, etc., alongside Portuguese. During weekdays it can be relatively quiet (great for relaxing in solitude), while weekends see a festive gathering of hundreds. One section sometimes skews younger and another a bit older, but there’s plenty of space for all. 

The vibe is friendly; it’s not uncommon to strike up a conversation or a frisbee game. Cruising: Yes, Beach 19 is famous (or infamous) for cruising. The dunes and the forest behind the main beach area are known hotspots, especially in late afternoon and early evening. If that’s your thing, you’ll find opportunities – if it’s not, those areas are easily avoidable (you won’t accidentally stumble on anything unless you venture well behind the sunbathing areas). 

Do be cautious if wandering in the dunes after dark as it can get isolated (and mosquitoes might feast on you!). Facilities: Here’s the rub – there basically aren’t any on Beach 19 itself. It’s a protected natural area, so no permanent bars or toilets on the gay section. You’ll need to walk 10-15 minutes to either direction for beach kiosks/cafés and restrooms (north towards straight Caparica beaches or south to Fonte da Telha). So bring water, snacks, umbrella, etc. One charming aspect is the little open-air train (Transpraia) that can drop you near stop 19 – quite fun to ride in summer, it chugs along the coast and you hop off at the numbered stops. 

Overall, Beach 19 is a must-visit if you’re in Lisbon and want the full gay beach experience: sun, freedom, and maybe some adventure in the dunes. It’s iconic for a reason – beautiful and free-spirited.

Praia do Meco (Meco Beach, Sesimbra area)

About a 40-minute drive south of Lisbon (not far from Beach 19 actually, but more to the south and west), Praia do Meco is another fantastic beach known for nudism and being gay-friendly. Meco is a large, wild beach with imposing cliffs on one end and dunes on the other. It’s historically one of Portugal’s oldest nude beaches (officially designated in 1995), so it attracted a bohemian crowd early on, including many LGBTQ+ travelers. 

Today, it’s a mixed beach – you’ll find straight and gay sunbathers intermingled – but there is a known gay-favored section usually to one side (generally the far end away from the main access, ask someone or use your “gaydar” to find the cluster of rainbow beach towels). The vibe at Meco is very chill, perhaps a bit more low-key than Beach 19. It’s popular with Lisboetas on weekends who want to escape the city. The beach is so spacious, everyone can carve out their own spot.

Expect naturists enjoying the sun au naturel, but it’s not strictly nude – wear trunks if you prefer. The crowd skews 30s and up, though younger folks come too – it’s just not as exclusively gay as Beach 19. 

What sets Meco apart is its scenic beauty: the water can be rough (Atlantic waves), but on calm days it’s great for swimming. And the sunsets here are glorious. There are a couple of beach bars at the main entrance that serve beer, sodas, and snacks (and have toilets), but these are a bit of a walk from the far ends. 

One thing to note: Meco’s atmosphere is almost spiritual for some regulars – it’s common to see people stay until sunset doing yoga or meditating. Cruising does happen in the dunes, but on a smaller scale than Beach 19. Meco is ideal if you want a more relaxed, nature-embracing beach day with a mix of gay and straight friendly faces around.

Cacela Velha Beach (Rua Formosa, Algarve – Eastern Algarve)

Moving to the south of Portugal – the famed Algarve region, known for its golden shores and dramatic rock formations. Cacela Velha isn’t as instantly recognizable a name as, say, “Praia da Marinha” or “Albufeira,” but among those in the know, it’s often whispered as the best gay beach in Portugal, alongside Beach 19. Cacela Velha is on the eastern end of the Algarve, in the Ria Formosa Natural Park near a village of the same name.

The beach itself is a barrier sandbank – which means to reach it, you usually need to take a little boat or water taxi from the mainland (during low tide some people wade across shallows). This keeps it relatively uncrowded. Once there, you find an almost untouched two-kilometer stretch of sand between the sea and lagoon. The gay area tends to concentrate in the middle or towards one end (again, ask around or look for signals like pairs of men, etc.).

Cacela Velha’s scenery is breathtaking – you can see the whole bay of Monte Gordo, and distant islands, and the backdrop of the traditional white village and its fortress. It’s tranquil; you won’t find loud parties here, rather a quiet escape. Because it’s a bit remote, the crowd is mostly dedicated beach-goers – local Portuguese from the Algarve or nearby Spain, plus adventurous travelers. It’s reported to be very popular with gay Spaniards who drive over from Seville (which isn’t far).

Like other gay beaches, nudism is common though not mandatory. Cruising can happen in the dunes/bush area that covers the peninsula – afternoons in peak summer get frisky in certain bushy corners. But overall, it’s easy to avoid if you just want solitude. There are no facilities on this sandbank itself (it’s part of protected Ria Formosa), so bring water and an umbrella. Nearby, across the lagoon, the village of Fábrica or town of Vila Real have cafes to refresh after.

Getting to Cacela Velha Beach is a bit of an adventure, but that’s part of its charm. It’s repeatedly praised as one of the most beautiful and idyllic beach spots in Portugal. If you’re touring the Algarve and want to mix beach time with a unique excursion, definitely consider a day here. It’s like your own little slice of desert island heaven, minus the desert and plus a lot of rainbow flags (figuratively speaking).

Praia do Barril / Tavira Island (Eastern Algarve)

Still in the Eastern Algarve, not far from Cacela Velha, lies Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island), which has multiple beaches along it. One section often cited in gay travel guides is Praia do Barril or nearby Praia do Homem Nu (literally “Beach of the Naked Man” – no ambiguity there!). This area has a history as a nudist beach and naturally became popular with gay sunseekers.

Tavira Island is accessible by a short ferry from the town of Tavira or a tourist train from Pedras d’El Rei for Barril Beach. Once there, if you walk westward away from the main Barril Beach area (which is famous for an “anchor graveyard” – old anchors from tuna fishing displayed in the dunes), you’ll find the nudist zone. That’s where a lot of gay folks congregate. 

It’s a lovely wide beach, with fine white sand and clear, usually gentle water (the further east in Algarve, the calmer the sea tends to be). The crowd is mixed nudist (straight and gay), but a solid gay presence especially in high season. Many are middle-aged men, but you see all sorts, including some lesbians and younger men too. The atmosphere is peaceful. Because it’s a bit of a walk from the ferry drop (maybe 1.5 km to the nude area), it never gets too packed.

People often set up for the day with picnic coolers and umbrellas. There is a café back at Barril where you can grab a drink or use toilets, but nothing in the nude area itself. Cruising here is minimal (there are fewer hiding spots; mostly just open beach and low dunes). It’s more of a social nude beach than a cruising ground. Barril is great if you’re staying in the charming town of Tavira – make a beach day of it. After sunbathing, you can explore Tavira’s historic center by evening and have some amazing seafood.

Lastly, don’t be shy – if you’re unsure you’re in the right spot, you can politely ask a fellow beachgoer, “Desculpa, é esta a parte gay da praia?” (“Excuse me, is this the gay part of the beach?”). Odds are they’ll welcome you and point you in the right direction if you’re not quite there. And when in doubt, follow the rule of rainbow convergence: if you see a disproportionately high number of men in tiny swim briefs tanning a bit further down, you’re probably headed the right way!