If you want a true natural experience then this beach is the one for you, perfect for an autumn or winter getaway
If you want a truly secluded beach experience with no crowds, no loungers, gorgeous white sand and crisp blue sea then this hidden gem in Portugal needs to be on your list.
Praia Da Ursa Beach is Europe’s westernmost beach, located on the rugged coast of Portugal. This beach has a reputation for being one of the most stunning, with people who have made the journey saying it is a life-changing experience.
The beach is named for an interesting rock formation which resembles a mother bear with cubs on her lap – Ursa translates to bear.
This beach is raw and rugged, and therefore is not the easiest to access. In order to experience its beauty for yourself, you will need to descend down the steep cliffside to the sand but don’t panic.
The path is steep, but not overly challenging, although be aware it can be slippy – just make sure you’re wearing the correct shoes as sandals will not do for this trek. There’s also no services at the beach – so make sure to bring your own food and drinks if you plan on staying for a long time.
As gorgeous as the sea is, it can be rough and choppy, and as there are no lifeguards on patrol, so swimming isn’t recommended – but the rolling surf makes for a mesmerising photos.
One visitor wrote on Google the beach “feels like you’re at the edge of the world”. They added: Amazing views along the way and a great beach. Definitely worth taking the time to get there and doing the hike.
Another, on Tripadvisor said: “I almost don’t want to say how beautiful this place was so that it doesn’t become overrun with visitors!” A third said: “Praia da Ursa is a true hidden gem.
“It is untouched by the hustle and bustle of the more commercialized beaches. This secluded paradise offers breath taking views and a serene atmosphere that can make any hike worthwhile.”
Praia Da Ursa is best reached by car (45 minutes from Lisbon) due to how remote it is – but if you want to take the trek on public transport then you’ll need to take the Cascais train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station . Once you reach Cascais it’s a 25-minute bus ride on the 403 from the bus terminal to Cabo da Roca.
From there, you can embark on the winding path down to this remote paradise.
