Praia da Ursa, Portugal: The Most Scenic Beach You've Never Heard Of

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Sintra also has beaches

Sintra, a charming town situated in the hills of Portugal, is well-known for its picturesque castles, stunning palaces, and lush greenery. However, many people are not aware that Sintra also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One such beach is Praia da Ursa, located at the westernmost point of mainland Europe.

Our recent trip to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the European continent, brought our attention to this hidden gem. While exploring the area, we stumbled upon some information about a challenging hiking trail that leads to Praia da Ursa. Intrigued by the idea of visiting one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, we searched online and were awed by the stunning pictures of the beach.

However, we were hesitant about whether our young son could handle the difficult trail, so we decided to play it safe and not take him along. We expected to find a deserted, untouched paradise with no other visitors around. We were excited about the prospect of having a secluded beach all to ourselves for a few hours.

As we began our hike, we were pleasantly surprised by the breathtaking scenery surrounding us. The trail was challenging but not impossible, and we were rewarded with stunning views of the rugged coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. As we approached the beach, we were greeted with a sight that took our breath away. Praia da Ursa is indeed one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with its pristine waters and towering cliffs.

Despite its beauty, Praia da Ursa is not as well-known as some of the other beaches in the region, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a quieter, more secluded beach experience. The beach is not very crowded, and visitors can enjoy the peaceful sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. The beach is surrounded by towering cliffs, making it a popular spot for rock climbing and cliff jumping.

In conclusion, Sintra is not only known for its historical monuments and stunning landscapes but also for its hidden beaches. Praia da Ursa is a must-visit for those seeking a more adventurous and secluded beach experience. While the trail may be challenging, the stunning views and breathtaking beauty of the beach make it well worth the effort.

The way down

The trail is indeed difficult and that’s mostly because of the last cliff descent. For the most part, it is pleasant and easy until you reach that final devilish part.

After some research, we did find that there are 3 different paths and sure enough we didn’t take the easy way down, no worries as we got some nice memories of our little adventure.

By car:

Drive to Cabo da Roca and park your car a little bit before Cabo da Roca.

By public transportation:

From Lisbon – Take the train in Cais do Sodré to Cascais and then the 403 Bus to Cabo da Roca, both leave hourly.

Then choose your difficulty and follow our map.

The Beach

After a trail full of emotions the beach was a deserved prize and if you do get there you are greeted with a beautiful empty paradise of a beach. On the northern side, there is a little waterfall which makes this even more remarkable and the only thing we are sorry for is not going for a swim, the water was freezing!

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If you enjoy sea life then you will be super happy there are lots of small shells on every rock you look at and lots to explore.

It really is a small paradise and right next to Cabo da Roca, one of the most touristic places in Portugal.

Where to stay?

If you plan on getting to know this area and visit more of this natural park, and you should, you can find here some of the most popular places to stay:

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