Praia da Almagreira, Atlantic beach in Peniche, Portugal

Praia da Almagreira is a beach on the Portuguese coast near Peniche with broad sandy areas and tall clay cliffs showing red mineral deposits. The shoreline is broken by rock formations such as Pedras Muitas and Pedra Ruiva that give structure to the landscape.

Local people from Ferrel once came to the cliffs to gather almagre, the red clay that gives the beach its name, to whiten and paint the interior of chimneys, fireplaces and even floors. In earlier decades, during carnival, young men used the same clay to write verses on walls about unmarried girls, revealing secret courtships.

The name Almagreira comes from "almagre", an Arabic-origin word for the reddish clay found here, also called Pedras Ruivas after the colour of the sandstone. People from Ferrel once came to dig this clay to redden the inside of chimneys, fireplaces and even floors, and women walked to the Fonte da Almagreira to fetch water.

The beach has free parking and maintains natural conditions without infrastructure, so visitors need to bring their own supplies. At low tide the rock formations become accessible, but it is advisable to wear grip-soled shoes and check tide tables.

At low tide visitors can collect octopus, shellfish, and small fish among the rock formations, making this time a natural gathering spot. This opportunity attracts people who want to harvest from the sea regularly.