Praia das Maçãs, Atlantic beach in Colares, Portugal
Praia das Maçãs is a beach in Colares where the Ribeira de Colares river flows into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a wide sandy cove. The shoreline is backed by tall cliffs that provide natural shelter from strong ocean winds.
The beach earned its name in the early 1900s when apples from orchards upriver would drift down the Ribeira de Colares and wash ashore. This connection to local fruit farming is now part of the place's identity, though the apple trade no longer happens.
Local residents and visitors gather at beachfront restaurants to enjoy fresh seafood dishes while watching the sunset over the Atlantic waters.
The beach is within walking distance of the village of Colares, and a vintage tram runs to nearby Sintra during the summer season for day-trippers. Parking is available near the shore, and several restaurants overlook the sand if you want to rest and grab food.
Right beside the natural shore sits a large outdoor swimming pool with water slides and diving boards built directly into the sand. This blend of wild ocean and managed pool experience creates something quite unusual for this coastal area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
