Praia de Galapinhos

Praia de Galapinhos

Praia de Galapinhos
4.6
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  • Harriet
    Nottingham, United Kingdom554 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our trip was in February this time so not exactly beach weather! However, even though we couldn’t sunbathe, it was still worth a visit to the beach for the beauty of the space! It was very calm for the weather wasn’t exactly hot but there was a low sun and the serenity was just amazing! I will definitely be coming back when it’s the summer to experience the beach in a new light but if you are in this area in the same time as year as we went then don’t be put off going; it’s still a great trip out! There was a restaurant on the beach too serving soft and alcoholic drinks as well as lots of seafood! We didn’t eat here due to me being a vegetarian but options for those who enjoy seafood looked great!
    Visited February 2025
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 4, 2025
  • Antonio
    Germany241 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the most beautiful beaches in the World. We had bad luck with the weather, as in the morning there was fog and clouds. The water was not as cold as expected and a dive in the clear waters was refreshing. The car was left parked at the Creio parking place (5€ all day). There is a free small bus that take you to the Beaches, but we preferred to walk (10 minutes). The access to the beach can be done through the stairs to the Galapos beach and then step over the rocks to Galapinhos Beach (5 minutes but not recommended for older people). We left the Galapinhos beach using an access through the vegetation (all way up).
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written July 30, 2024
  • JeanSater
    Guarapuava, PR324 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I enjoy the comment from the beach of galapinhos and referring to the rest of the Serra da Arrabida.. All beaches. Galapos, Rabbits, Figueirinha, Creio.. are at the foot of the Arrabida mountain with a difference only in the geography of the beach and visual. Visual galapagos and beautiful galapagos. But the sea and sand is the same.. We Brazilians is the tip .. will not be able to make a walk by the sea because soft sand sink the foot and short sea edge. Very cold water. I was in late September of the summer in case support for vacationer I did not find. The tour is worth by the view of the beaches and alone.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 20, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.6
4.6 of 5 bubbles500 reviews
Excellent
344
Very good
126
Average
23
Poor
3
Terrible
4

Filipe G
Budapest, Hungary85 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Breath taking views in a great location, making you feel being in an exotic location worldwide.
Access only via buses as cars not allowed in protected area, making this feel even more exotic.
Ensure you have a drink at the bar on the swinging chair while enjoying the beautiful sunset.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike F
Vancouver, Canada133 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Been going here for the vast majority of my life. This is by far the hidden gem 💎 of the Arrabida beaches, this one and “Coelhos” next door... both require you to hike and that’s the reason that still to this day, they retain the privacy and its beauty. No matter what month it is, what the weather is doing, where exactly in the world I am, my heart’s always here 100%
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Valéria
Porto, Portugal924 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020 • Friends
Galapinhos beach was definitely a hidden gem! It was the most beautiful beach that we had seen around Serra da Arrábida! It’s surrounded by the park and its nature! It has a gorgeous view! Definitely worthy seeing it!
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SenhorHugoSampaio
Porto, Portugal89 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Family
I loved the beach. Very cosy, very small, but since the access is so tricky, there isn't a lot of people there.
As I said, the access to the beach is very tricky and you can injure yourself, be careful. Dangerous access for pregnant and small children
By the Galapinhos beach side, there is The Galapos beach. That beach has a stair access. Once in the galapos beach, if it is low tide, you can follow the shoreline to get to the Galapinhos beach.
These beaches are only accessible by car and the parking space is not very abundant so you should get there very early in the morning. Beach facilities like bar, restrooms, only exists on the galapos beach. Beware of the high tide, the beach gets very small.
Enjoy it.
Written June 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luís T
Setubal, Portugal585 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
It is a paradise beach. Access and parking may be difficult. The descent to the beach doesn't help either, but it's worth it. Perhaps one of the best beaches in the world...
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bec K
53 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Couples
Before you go, you need to know that this beach has gotten really hard to access. Municipal authorities have started blocking off the road to the beach! To get there, you must park at Pria dos Cohelos. You may find you have to park up the road and will need to walk up to .75 K to get there. Next, you must board a free shuttle. The shuttle stops several times -- but all stops seem to be close to the top of various sides of Galapinhos. Next, you must hike down some narrow, steep paths. But finally, you will arrive. If you are as passionate about beaches as I am, you will find it is worth it. However, if you are travelling with a companion who is not as excited to see this gem (aka my husband) , or children who may not be as patient with all the steps required to get here, you may hear some grumbling, which is the reason for my 4 star, rather than 5 star review. :) Overall, it was beautiful. Afterall, it was voted Europe's most beautiful beach in 2017, so of course I had to see it. The water was beautiful in color, with aqua, sandy bottom, perfect for swimming (especially in intense heat), with little reefs. (It should be noted that the water was similar near Coelho beach where you probably have to park, but the overall scenery is not as nice). There was also a refreshment bar ( and a couple of restaurants on the opposite end) that offered chair and umbrella rental. Here is something worth trying: try approaching the beach from the west on N10-4 (coming from Lisbon, this will be out of your way), rather than from the east. It looked like people could park pretty close to Galapinhos in a car park if they approached from that direction. No promises ( I read in another review that reads are blocked in various places along the coast) but worth a try. See my map for details.
Written August 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Miguel Ribeiro
Fatima, Portugal25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Couples
This is a great place to visit. Do not expect any sign saying "Praia dos Galapinhos", you'll need to find the trail or ask someone where it is. As said, you follow down a trail of rocks and dirt but it is so worth it.
Crystal clear water, great view and not much wind (depends from where it is blowing of course).
Because you'll be facing east, yeah, you don't get that romantic stunning sunset but I don't think that should be the reason why this is not a great place.
I visited this in June on a Monday and was not that crowded, I believe it will be during weekends or July/August.
There's paid parking (€1.50 all day under the sun, there's also a €3 parking but since I didn't put the car there I don't know the conditions) in just 500/600m (if that much) from the trail. I advise parking there to avoid any eventual ticket from the police.
Take a lunch box with you, when I went there were no restaurant/bars available.
Shades + chairs cost €9.5 half-day, €13 all-day.
Written June 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luís António
Madrid, Spain20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Family
Despite the difficult access to the beach and the absence of parking for cars, it is suggested to leave the car in "Figueirinha" beach or in the Car Park of the "Cimenteira", and walk a little bit towards the beach Galapinhos. Going down the ravine (the worst will be to climb, at the end of the day), we find a paradise beach. At low tide, we are clearly in a pool, like a cove of crystal clear water, in the middle of the Serra da Arrábida. We can enjoy the wonderful Sun of Portugal or explore the neighboring beaches, that are more like posters taken from a new paradise. We become lovers of the salt water baths, of tranquility and of marine species swimming around us. The smell of the sea is nothing more than aromatherapy in a peaceful country of smiling people. Watch out with long exposure to the sun.
Written June 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Guus B
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Family
With the city bus (€4,15 retour) you can go to the beaches of the Arrabida area. The bus stops at Fighuerina beach, and from there, there is a free shuttle bus to the other beaches. We went to Galaphinos beach, a relaxed cosy beautiful beach. There is a simple bar where you can buy refreshments. The Arrabida area is most visited by Portugese people, what gives it a local atmosphere.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kolbrún Ýr
Reykjavik, Iceland39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Family
Wow this beach is so nice. Recommend to be really early though for parking 😬 but the beach is super nice!
Written July 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Praia de Galapinhos (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)

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