Praia do Castelo, Sand beach in Costa da Caparica, Portugal.
Praia do Castelo is a sand beach on the Atlantic coast of Costa da Caparica, enclosed on three sides by tall sandstone cliffs in shades of yellow and red. The shoreline is narrower than most nearby beaches, giving it a sheltered and contained feel.
The beach takes its name from the remains of a defensive structure built in the 16th century to guard the coastline against raids from the sea. Very little of it is visible today, but the name has stayed in local use ever since.
The layered sandstone cliffs behind the shoreline show bands of yellow, orange and red that shift in color depending on the light. Visitors tend to settle near the base of the cliffs to find shelter from the Atlantic wind.
The beach is reached by a wooden staircase behind the beach bar, which makes the descent to the sand straightforward. A lifeguard is on duty during the summer months, so it is a good idea to swim in front of the flagged area.
The sandstone cliffs behind the beach are constantly reshaped by erosion, so the outline of the cove shifts slightly from season to season. On some visits, freshly collapsed sections of rock reveal new layers of color that were not visible before.
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