Praia Grande Beach in Sintra gets its name precisely because it is the largest in the region and is famous for its extensive stretch of golden sands. It is also considered one of the cleanest beaches in Portugal. Abundant in waves, it serves as a stage for national and international surf and bodyboard competitions.
Like most of Sintra’s main beaches, it is surrounded by a very beautiful landscape, with a large cliff at the end creating a beautiful natural scenery. The highlight is the cliff to the north of the beach, perpendicular to the sea, which creates a unique landscape.
Praia Grande in Sintra is also known for its Dinosaur footprints! That’s right… keep reading to learn more!
Infrastructure
It is one of the beaches that offers the most infrastructure to visitors. Its entire coastline is accompanied by parking spaces, restaurants, snack bars, shops, and surf schools.
Notable restaurants include Bar do Fundo, Pipeline, and O C rôa.
At the northern tip of the beach, as we will address in the next topic, is the Arribas Hotel Sintra, which offers a huge saltwater pool for guests and the public. The hotel also has a bar, restaurant, and bathrooms.
There are also sanitary facilities and showers for the convenience of beachgoers.
The beach is safe for swimmers, but visitors should be aware of wave conditions and follow the lifeguards’ instructions, especially on days with rough seas.
Saltwater Pool in Praia Grande Beach
As mentioned, at the northern tip of Praia Grande Beach is the Arribas Hotel, which offers a huge saltwater pool to its guests and visitors. It is said to be the largest saltwater pool in Europe, measuring approximately 100 meters in length. Because it was built on slightly higher ground, it provides beautiful views of the sea.
The pool belongs to the hotel but can be used by the public for a fee. This option is particularly popular among bathers, especially on days when the sea is rough.
At the northern end of Praia Grande, you will find one of the largest saltwater pools in Europe, measuring about 100 meters in length, belonging to the Hotel das Arribas.
The hotel has a restaurant and bar, also with spectacular views of the beach and the sea, where you can enjoy a snack.
Dinosaur Footprints at Praia Grande Beach
One of the biggest curiosities and attractions at Praia Grande are the enormous fossilized dinosaur footprints in the rocks. They can be seen at the southern tip of the beach, next to the cliff perpendicular to the shoreline. There is a staircase on the cliff where you can climb up and view the footprints. Studies indicate that they are remnants of about 170 million years ago. If you continue up the staircase, you will reach the top of the cliff, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the beach and the coast. Caution is advised if you wish to continue climbing the staircase, as there is a risk of falling rocks and stones. Pay attention to local safety warnings.
How to Get to Praia Grande Beach in Sintra It is recommended to go by car. See directions below:
How about living near Sintra Beaches?
The municipality of Sintra extends beyond the city of Sintra itself. You can find ideal places to live that are even closer to Cascais than to the city of Sintra. This makes it a very interesting area for expatriates. The best international schools are in this region. At the same time, you will be close to Cascais and Lisbon. The price per square meter is not as high as in Cascais and Lisbon, and the quality of life in this region is excellent.
If you want to know more about properties in Sintra or any other region of Portugal, please contact me now and chat with me on WhatsApp: Click here to chat with me on WhatsApp now (Bruna Barros).