Odeceixe Beach Apartments

Gorgeous sandy beach, with hiking routes nearby. What a beautiful spot.

Parking is limited and can be a hassle. If you spot a space along the roadside before the road slopes down to the beach, take it. I'd absolutely come back, though. It really is a gorgeous beach, with a lovely choice between the safer river for kids to play in and bigger sea waves for surfing or bodyboarding. Lifeguards are there too. We went at low tide in the middle of summer. It was busy, but the beach is so large that it didn't feel too crowded. At high tide, there's less sand available. Up north, the rock pools have little creatures to look for, though the rocky layers are tough on your feet, so beach shoes would help. There's very little shade. You can rent a fixed umbrella and two sunbeds for €20 for the day, or €15 for half a day. Otherwise the beach is fully exposed, so most people bring their own parasols. We left sooner than we'd wanted because of that. The walk down to the sand is quite steep and may be hard for anyone with mobility issues. At the top there are restaurants and shops selling food, drinks and usual things like sun cream.

The hike around was lovely, even on a January Saturday. The beach has a lot to offer in season, too, by the looks of it. The climbs are steep, but the views from the cliffs and overlooks make them worthwhile. Seeing the Atlantic meet the river is an extra treat.

It's a beautiful sight where the river meets the sea. This is one of the world's most beautiful beaches, though the waves are big. That's great for surfing even in winter, but swimming can be difficult.