Praia das Maçãs, Atlantic beach in Colares, Portugal

Praia das Maçãs is a beach set within a river valley with golden sands bordered by rocky headlands on both sides. The shore spans roughly 200 meters and is enclosed by the Ribeira de Colares, which flows down from the hills.

The resort's modern history began in the late 19th century, when priest Matias de Campos, landowner Manuel Prego and composer Alfredo Keil built the first three houses on the hills around the beach. The Sintra tram line, opened in 1904, linked the beach to Sintra station and Lisbon. In 1952 an open seawater pool made the resort usable year-round.

Local families come here to spend time together by the water and enjoy leisure activities. The nearby restaurants serve fresh fish prepared according to traditional recipes.

Summer months bring lifeguard coverage, sunbed rentals, shower facilities, and parking near the entrance. Water temperatures stay cool year-round, so swimming is most comfortable from June through September.

The name comes from apples carried down the Ribeira de Colares in summer and autumn, at the height of the bathing season, when the river ran through orchards and swept fallen fruit into the surf, which washed it onto the sand.