Azenhas do Mar Beach, Sand beach in Sintra, Portugal
Azenhas do Mar is a cove beach south of Sintra set between high cliffs topped with white houses and rocky outcrops on either side. The sheltered waters are contained by natural stone formations that also create shallow pools at low tide.
The settlement takes its name from the water mills that operated along the cliffs during the 1800s, powered by ocean waves and tidal forces. These mills supported the local economy and shaped how the village developed over time.
The whitewashed houses clustered above the beach form a working fishing village where residents and visitors share meals in family-run restaurants overlooking the water. The fishing boats you see anchored below supply the meals served at these tables almost daily.
You reach the beach by descending a series of staircases that wind through the village above the cliffs. Wear sturdy shoes and allow extra time since the paths are steep and require careful footing.
At low tide, natural rock pools form in the reef formations where saltwater remains trapped and small fish and creatures gather. These pools let you observe marine life up close without entering the open ocean.
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