Praia da Furnas Beach is a beautiful beach that lies on the opposite side of the Mira River in Vila Nova de Milfontes. It’s an incredible beach that also made the shortlist for the 2012 beach wonders of Portugal award. Keep reading to find out what makes it one of the best beach destinations in the Alentejo!
How to Get to Praia da Furnas
Praia das Furnas is situated on the opposite bank of the Mira River from Vila Nova de Milfontes. During the summer season, it’s easily accessible by a regular ferry service that crosses the river, with a return ticket costing just €2.60. The ferry ride offers a charming way to reach the beach. When it arrives on the Furnas side, it’s a short walk from the dock, through some beautiful dunes to get to the main beach.
If you’re visiting outside the ferry’s operating months, you can still get to Praia das by taxi, rental car or even by bicycle. From Vila Nova de Milfontes, simply cross the bridge that carries the N393 road.
Once you’ve crossed the river, take an immediate right at the first junction onto a dirt track road. Follow this road all the way to the end, and you’ll arrive at the beach’s car park. You’ll find a café and the main car park situated at the southern end, making it convenient to grab a bite or park your vehicle.
Praia das Furnas
Compared to the northern side of the river, and Vila Nova de Milfontes’ bigger selection of beaches. Praia das Furnas is undeveloped, more natural, and a little bit wilder. It’s formed of a large dune section, with boardwalks and then an L shaped beach. A section of the L faces north and towards Vila Nova de Milfontes, while the other faces west and towards the Atlantic.
Praia das Furnas and Praia das Furnas Rio
The two sections are two separately named beaches, and both sections have lifeguards during the bathing season. Praia das Furnas Rio, is the smaller beach facing the river, and is popular with people that want to use the more gentle river waters for water activities like paddle boarding and kayaking.
Praia das Furnas is the larger more expansive beach. It’s protected by a small sandbar that creates a small chanel of calmer water, before opening up to the Atlantic ocean and its waves. Both beaches are popular with families, and the larger expanse of Praia das Furnas also attracts wind sports enthusiasts. It’s not uncommon to see kite surfers using the far western edge of the beach.
Facilities on Praia das Furnas
There’s two café restaurants: Oásis facing Vila Nova de Milfontes and the river, and Yabalulu facing the Atlantic ocean and sand bar. Outside of these bars, there’s no development or any other facilities which means the large beach, and its dunes feels wild. Both restaurants provide public toilets for visitors.
Should you Visit Praia das Furnas?
If you’re looking for a wilder and more natural beach escape, then crossing the river from Vila Nova de Milfontes is an excellent idea. It is a beautiful part of the coastline and views across the river are fantastic. However, relying on a ferry, or a drive to the beach is not for everyone. If you prefer to make use of the towns’ facilities, then you may prefer to stay on the opposite side of the river. For short trips, or simply to experience the wildness of the Alentejo coastline, a trip to Praia das Furnas is a must do!
