Beaches Where Dogs Are Welcome

Portugal's beach rules are stricter than most newcomers expect. During the bathing season, dogs are not allowed on the region's classified, lifeguarded beaches, and that covers nearly every famous name on the coast. The beaches that stay genuinely dog-friendly are the unclassified ones, mostly the wild sands of the far west, plus the occasional stretch a council has set aside on purpose. The twelve below are the ones we would actually take a dog to: eleven non-concessioned beaches running from Sagres and Vila do Bispo round to Albufeira, and Praia do Canavial in Lagos, which keeps a designated dog-friendly section. Two things to remember wherever you go: keep the lead handy, and check locally before a summer visit, because municipal rules can change from season to season.