Best beaches of central Portugal: Praia de Mira

This beach on Portugal's central coast is known as Praia de Mira and is known for its silky sand and striped fishermen’s chapel.

Why go?

Located half way between Figueira da Foz and Aveiro, the Praia de Mira is no secret among locals. The appealing village – with the beach on one side and a lagoon on the other – is more Bournemouth than Monaco in atmosphere. As for the beach itself, it is over 300m wide, infinitely long and with silk-like sand, dotted with brightly coloured Xavega (fishing) boats. There is also a striped fishermen’s chapel perched on the edge of the beach near the car park.

Who goes?

Anyone and everybody. The jet-set stay at the upmarket Mira Villas, 1km from Praia de Mira, while day visitors and holidaying families enjoy the lagoon-based activities – paddleboats for the wee ones and bike hire for the grown-ups.

What is there to do?

Swim, sunbathe and marvel at the photogenic fishing boats. You can rent a bike and head along the path around the lagoon or hire a paddleboat. The approach to Praia da Mira is through a pine forest; keen walkers can follow several trails.

Bars and bites

There are beach cafés, or you can treat yourself to a more upmarket experience and quality seafood dishes at Restaurante Patio (00351470 109) in the Mira Villas complex.

Getting there

Praia de Mira is around 30km south of Aveiro and 38km north of Figueira da Foz. Take the N109, a smaller inland road and at the village of Mira, head 7km west.

Tourist office: Praia de Mira: 00351 231 472 566; www.turismo-centro.pt; www.thecentroexperience.com

Source: telegraph

Best beaches on the Costa Blanca, Spain

This gorgeous beach near Jávea, on Spain's Costa Blanca coast, is known as La Granadella and its seagrass beds make it perfect for snorkelling. 

Why go?

For its sheer beauty, even though it is shingly rather than sandy. The horseshoe-shaped cove with Blue Flag status has calm, sapphire water and is flanked by a dense forest of emerald Aleppo pine trees. The only problem is that it is so gorgeous it gets very crowded.

Who goes?

Spanish and European families, both tourists and residents. There is a long-standing expat population in this area, from the UK, Germany and other northern European countries.

What is there to do?

Be sure to take a snorkel and mask. The seabed falls away quite steeply from the shore, but if you swim out for 65 feet or so the shingle is replaced by sand with posidonia seagrass beds. You can also walk through the woods behind the beach, breathing in the scent of the pine trees, or up to the castle or lookout point on the cliffs.

Bars and bites

There is a shack on the beach and a few restaurants in the row of buildings behind the bay. Sur (00 34 965 771612) has lots of outdoor tables on its various terraces and serves fabulous paellas.

Getting there

The beach is between Jávea and Moraira. Head towards the Cabo de la Nao headland and take the turning down the gorge through the pine forest to La Granadella. You need to get there pretty early in the morning to get a place in the car park and avoid being stuck in a jam.

Tourist information: 00 34 966 460605, www.xabia.org

                                                                                   Source: telegraph