Póvoa de Varzim Beaches
Póvoa de Varzim is an Atlantic beach resort on the Costa Verde about one hour north of Porto on the Porto metro Line B.
A long stretch of sandy beach around 10 km in length connects the town with Vila do Conde to the south. There are also beach resorts to the north at Esposende and Apúlia.
The sea here is certainly on the chilly side and a body warmer is necessary to spend any time in the water except for the exceptionally hardy.
It can be pretty windy here, too, so wind-breakers are a good idea, as well, if you spend the whole day on the sand.
The beach in town is lined with hotels, bars, cafes and a casino. In general, the area is more popular with Portuguese tourists than foreigners but the area is growing in popularity with visitors from overseas.
Esposende
Esposende Beach is north of Póvoa de Varzim and not far south of Viana do Castelo.
South of the river is Praia de Ofir, popular with surfers and part of the Parque Natural do Litoral Norte. The area has extensive dunes and marshes and is known for its bird life.
Places to stay in EsposendeEsposende include the three star Hotel Suave Mar with pool, the three star Hotel Zende and Hotel Mira Rio, overlooking the river.
In Praia de Ofir there is the four star Axis Ofir Hotel, a resort with pools, tennis courts and children's playground.
There are also several holiday homes and apartments to rent here.
Apúlia
Apúlia is the next beach south of Esposende and Ofir.
Located south of the Cávado River, the beach is known for its windmills, many of which have been converted into accommodation.
The four star Apulia Praia Hotel is the standout accommodation here.
Aguçadoura Beach is a surfers' beach south of Apúlia.
Rio Alto and Estela
Rio Alto Beach and Praia Estela are another pair of fine beaches north of Povoa de Varzim. There are no resort hotels here ensuring a calm and relaxed stay.
Redonda Beach
Praia Redonda (Redonda Beach) is the main beach in Póvoa de Varzim. It is backed up by a strip of apartment blocks, beachside cafes and bars. Places to stay here include the 3-star Sol Povoa Hotel, the beach-front 2-star Hotel Avenida, the budget guesthouse Sardines & Friends and the 4-star Axis Vermar Conference & Beach Hotel, located 2 km from the city centre and station.
See here for a full listing of hotel accommodation in Povoa de Varzim.
Póvoa de Varzim has a large number of excellent restaurants serving Portuguese seafood cuisine on the sea front.
Praia da Senhora da Guia
The beach at Praia da Senhora da Guia, north of Vila do Conde, is a family beach. It is close to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia and the Forte de São João.
Getting to Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim is no longer connected by railway but the former railway line is now the Porto metro Line B. Trains take 1 hour from downtown Porto.
By car take the IC1/A28 highway north from Porto to Póvoa de Varzim. The A7 highway connects to Guimarães and Vila Nova de Famalicão and the A11 to Braga and Barcelos.
Póvoa de Varzim has bus connections to Porto (45 minutes), Lisbon (4 hours, 45 minutes), Viseu (3 hours) and other destinations.
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