If your idea of a perfect beach involves rows of sun loungers, beach bars playing music, and a boardwalk with cafes and restaurants then Praia do Malhão is probably not for you. Located about 7 kilometers north of Vila Nova de Milfontes within the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, Malhão beach is a beautiful, raw, and windswept stretch of the Alentejo coast. As it sits inside a protected national park, development is strictly controlled and what you’ll find is kilometers of golden sand, dramatic dark shale cliffs, and incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.
What Makes Praia do Malhao Special?
Unrivalled Space: The beach is massive made up of several continuous sandy areas including Cruz, Saltinho, and Galés (although these names aren’t used too often). Even in the peak of summer, you can walk for a few minutes and find a massive patch of sand entirely to yourself.
Nature, Views, Incredible Hiking: The beach is on the Rota Vincentina which means there are hiking paths in both north and south directions, there’s also boardwalks, and view points to find.
How to Get to Praia do Malhão
Unfortunately, you will need your own transport. Whether that’s a rental car, a scooter, or a bicycle. There is no public transportation to Malhão, the benefit of that remoteness is that it keeps it from ever getting too busy!
Praia do Malhão is around 8km north of Vila Nova de Milfontes. By car head north out of the Vila Nova de Milfontes along the N390. After around 3km you’ll reach the small village of Brunheiras. At the roundabout here, take a left along the CM1702 and follow the road for around 2.8km, at this point you’ll see a junction and a turning for Malhão. This used to be a dirt road, but it’s now tarmacked all the way to the beach and the car parks!
Walkers get a much more scenic approach and Praia do Malhão lies on the Rota Vincentina Trail. From Vila Nova de Milfontes you can follow the trail signs north along the coast and it’s roughly 6km away. Alternatively you can follow the trail south from Porto Covo.
Cyclists can take an alternative route north from Vila Nova de Milfontes through a small village called Pousadas Velhas.
Why visit the Malhão Area?
It’s a stunning and very wild beach area, the walking paths are amazing, there are incredible viewpoints on the cliffs, its very much a wild beach experience. It’s also a popular surf and body boarding spot – and it’s a favourite of the locals. There is one small surf shack here that you can hire wet suits and boards from, but that is it!
Is there a nude beach at Praia do Malhão? Praia naturista do Malhão
Approximately 900m from the beaches main entrance stairs, the beach swings slightly towards the a north west direction. Beyond these small cliffs is an official nudist beach called Praia naturista do Malhão. It’s one of only 9 beaches in Portugal that is officially naturist.
For people that have no interest in naturism, the nude part of the beach is quite out of the way, and marked by blue signs stating the beach is naturist and asking for respect. There’s no way to inadvertently enter the nudist section!
Why Visit Malhão over Porto Covo, or Vila Nova de Milfontes
Praia do Malhão is roughly between Porto Covo and Vila Nova de Milfontes, both amazing beach destinations in their own right. So why would you visit Malhao instead of Porto Covo? Or Vila Nova de Milfontes?
Visit Porto Covo if you want to experience a small village, and beautiful and quite sheltered beaches.
Visit Vila Nova de Milfontes if you want more of town, a wider selection of restaurants, and lots of water activities. Vila Nova de Milfontes lies on a river, and combines its Atlantic facing beaches, with riverside beaches, those riverside beaches are the perfect place to kayak, stand up paddle board, or even rent a pedalo! These types of activities are not available in Malhão or Porto Covo.
Visit Malhão if you want a remote beach experience, if you want to fully enjoy the coastline without crowds, noise, beach bars and everything else.
