The beaches in Póvoa are an extensive and continuous group of sandy beaches forming small bays or coves along the shoreline. its waters are rich in marine life. Historically, the waterfront has been used for commerce, fish industry, health and leisure since remote periods. Fish industry in Póvoa de Varzim developed during the Roman Empire and is one of the earliest touristic areas in Portugal attracting visitors since the 18th century.
Beaches (called Praia in Portuguese) are managed by traditional Povoan families, known as Banheiros who are descendant of fishermen who left fishing for this business some generations ago. These families often exhibit their Siglas poveiras family mark in their belongings, in the same way as the fishermen did. Although most fishermen stopped using family marks, the Banheiros kept the tradition live to the present day.
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In the beginning of the 18th century, Benedictine monks walked distances to take the "Baths of Póvoa", in search of iodine, considered invigorating, and cures for skin and bones problems throw sea and sun-baths. By the 19th century, the popularity increased with people from the provinces of Minho, Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro that arrived by medical advice to cure several health problems, by breathing the air and diving in the rich iodine seawaters of Póvoa, in a popular movement that occurred in the European Atlantic coast since the 18th century.
During the Belle Epoque, this popularity is especially noticeable amongst the wealthiest classes and, especially, between the Portuguese-Brazilians (the Brasileiros). Several hotels, theaters and casinos opened. It then became the most popular holiday destination in Northern Portugal,[1] Between the 1930s and the 1960s, beach-going became a popular holiday destination for the masses.
Currently transformed into the seaport and marina of Póvoa de Varzim, there are still small portions of the former fine sand beach visible. It was known as Praia do Peixe or Fish Beach.
Redonda Beach or Praia Redonda is the most traditional leisure beach of Póvoa de Varzim, and still very popular, was known as Praia de Banhos or Baths Beach in the 19th century.
Salgueira Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Póvoa de Varzim. It is a surfing beach, especially popular amongst body-boarders.
Verde is a rocky beach, occasionally used for flirting by straight and gay couples.
Beijinhos is a rocky beach.
Lagoa Beach or Lagoa Cove is a large sandy beach located in the high rise district it is the 1970s extension of the touristic area of the city.
Fragosinho Beach also known as Farol beach is a rocky beach.
Fragosa Beach is a large sandy beach located in Aver-o-Mar Cove.
Esteiro Beach is a large sandy beach used for traditional sun-drying of seaweed.
Coim Beach is an extensive sandy beach with some rocks.
Quião Beach is a rocky beach. Hassle-free. Often used for flirting, occasional topless and naturalism. Used for traditional sun-drying of seaweed. Located south of Santo André Cape.
Dois Cabos Beach is a tiny beach between the large rocks which form Santo André Cape. Hassle-free.
Santo André Beach is located north of Santo André Cape. Hassle-free.
Aguçadoura is an extensive sandy beach popular amongst Northern Portuguese and Northern Spanish surfers and considered a high-quality surfing beach, during high or low-tide, with consistent waves that break at the beach without obstacles. Hassle-free.
Preserved sand dunes area. while much of the Povoan coast was made out of dunes, the action of man destroyed most. Hassle-free, used for flirting.
Used for naturalism and flirting. Hassle-free. part of the beach is a links golf course.
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