Praia do Amado

Amado is where most people on the Sagres side of the coast learn to surf. It sits just south of the village of Carrapateira in the municipality of Aljezur [1][5], and APA’s own profile notes that it is “very much used for surfing and bodyboarding” [1]. Surf guides call it the most famous surf beach on this coast and good for all levels [6].

Surf by season. Summer is the beginner season; in winter the waves can be dangerous for novices [4]. If you book lessons around Sagres, there is a good chance the school drives you here [4]. Several schools work near the beach, and there are hidden rocks that are not always visible even at low tide — one more reason to start with a lesson [4].

Getting there and facilities. A paved road leads to a large car park above the sand — no 4x4 needed — with wooden stairways and some step-free paths down [4]. The APA registry lists a lifeguard, parking and a restaurant [7]; lifeguards are on duty 1 June–30 September 2026 [2]. Amado does not hold a Blue Flag in 2026 [3].

Who it suits. Surfers of every level, and nomads who want a surf-and-work week with a car. Families come too: the beach is big and sandy, but the waves can be strong, so small children stay at the water’s edge with an adult [4]. In summer and at weekends it gets busy; AlgarveTips suggests arriving before 10 am [4].

Check before you go: which surf schools still operate on the beach this season; food on site off-season.

Coordinates (research)

• Used: OSM way 1239998556 “Praia do Amado” (centroid, Nominatim) — 37.1643588, -8.9032987. [OSM via the Nominatim query listed in sources, 2 Oct 2026]
• pt-Wikipedia: 37.16654, -8.90455 — ≈ 267 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [pt-Wikipedia]
• APA classification list: 37.16698, -8.90345 — ≈ 292 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [APA classification list]
• APA 2026 sampling point: 37.167, -8.9034 — ≈ 294 m from the used point (haversine, computed here). [APA 2026 sampling point]

What the sources say (research)

• Official profile: Beach with restricted use associated with sensitive natural systems. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: PNSACV + Natura 2000. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: Golden sand with cliffs. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: “famous for its waves, good for surfing and bodyboarding”. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: Frontage 100 m. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: Tide 3.4–3.5 m. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: Mean wave 1 m. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: Wind N/NW. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: Season 1 Jun–30 Sep 2026. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Official profile: 0 restricted days 2025. [APA profile PTCL3P, v1/2026]
• Water quality Excellent every year 2011–2025. [APA classification 2011–2025]
• Not on the ABAE Blue Flag 2026 list (Aljezur awardees 2026: Odeceixe-Mar, Monte Clérigo, Arrifana, Amoreira-Mar). [ABAE 2026 list]
• Qualified as “praia de banhos” for 2026 — bathing water Amado (PTCL3P), praia de banhos “Amado”, época balnear 1 de junho a 30 de setembro; the annex footnote (*) states that waters without a listed praia de banhos are those where, at publication, surveillance of bathers is not assured (art. 2.º n.º 5 likewise). [Portaria 204-A/2026/1, anexo I (DR 1.ª série n.º 84, supl., 30 Apr 2026)]
• AMN “Praias Vigiadas” list (linked as “Praias Vigiadas 2025” from AMN’s landing page; no year printed on the list itself): Praia do Amado — 1 de junho a 30 de setembro. [AMN Praias Vigiadas; AMN Época Balnear landing page]
• Municipality (concelho): Aljezur — near Carrapateira, parish of Bordeira; the southernmost beach of the concelho. [pt-Wikipedia rev. 19 Jun 2022; CM Aljezur]
• CM Aljezur: Extensive sand between high cliffs. [CM Aljezur beach page, text undated, read 2 Oct 2026]
• CM Aljezur: Pontal da Carrapateira rock platform at the north end. [CM Aljezur beach page, text undated, read 2 Oct 2026]
• CM Aljezur: “one of the best Portuguese surf beaches, one of Europe’s main spots”. [CM Aljezur beach page, text undated, read 2 Oct 2026]
• CM Aljezur: National and international competitions. [CM Aljezur beach page, text undated, read 2 Oct 2026]
• CM Aljezur: Several surf/bodyboard schools and tourism companies operate here. [CM Aljezur beach page, text undated, read 2 Oct 2026]
• CM Aljezur: Access “easy”. [CM Aljezur beach page, undated]
• CM Aljezur: Facilities: bar/beach support, car park. [CM Aljezur beach page, undated]
• CM Aljezur: Lifeguarded during the bathing season. [CM Aljezur beach page, undated]
• CM Aljezur: Rota Vicentina “Circuito Pontal da Carrapateira” (Trilho dos Pescadores). [CM Aljezur beach page, undated]
• Length: APA frontage 100 m [APA profile 2026]; guiadepraias 1.2 km [guiadepraias.pt].

Open questions