Rio Alto Beach, Atlantic beach in Estela, Portugal
Rio Alto Beach is a sandy shoreline along Portugal's northern coast, stretching across an open beach area bordered by natural dunes and farmland. The landscape features unbroken sandy expanses backed by coastal dune systems and rural fields.
Rio Alto Beach became a focal point for naturist activities along Portugal's northern coast during the late 1900s, though it never received formal official status. This informal development shaped how the beach is used and perceived today.
Rio Alto Beach serves as a gathering place for naturists who come regularly during the warmer months, forming a welcoming community within the northern coast. The beach has developed its own social rhythm around this practice over the decades.
Access to the beach is available via Estrada Nacional 131 with parking near the Aguçadora football field entrance. Plan for open coastal conditions and bring appropriate clothing for variable weather.
The beach sits adjacent to Estela Golf Club, where natural dunes form a distinctive boundary separating the sandy shore from the fairways. This unusual pairing creates an interesting contrast between two very different recreational spaces.
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