Praia da Ursa

Praia da Ursa
© Rosino / CC BY-SA 3.0
Praia da Ursa panorama
© Jpmurteira / CC BY-SA 3.0
Praia da Ursa
© Pierre / CC BY-SA 3.0

Set on the Atlantic west coast just north of Cabo da Roca is a little gem of a beach - Praia da Ursa. Unspoilt and wild, this little beach is often cited as one of the most beautiful in the area. The name of the beach comes from the "Rocha da Ursa" (bear rock) one of two huge sea stacks at the northern end of the beach. It is said that the rock resembles a bear with its cub, although I can't quite see this myself!

This beach is a little off the beaten track and access is difficult to say the least. It involves a bit of a scrabble down a steep sided valley with plenty of loose rocks under foot. Maybe this is why Praia da Ursa is one of the area's unofficial naturist beaches.

Other beaches near Praia da Ursa

Praia da Ursa tide times

  • Thu 10th October
    Low 1:13am (1.53m)
    High 7:46am (2.68m)
    Low 2:09pm (1.51m)
    High 8:41pm (2.48m)
  • Fri 11th October
    Low 2:37am (1.65m)
    High 9:16am (2.63m)
    Low 3:55pm (1.52m)
    High 10:22pm (2.51m)
  • Sat 12th October
    Low 4:27am (1.60m)
    High 10:49am (2.74m)
    Low 5:26pm (1.34m)
    High 11:42pm (2.70m)
  • Sun 13th October
    Low 5:47am (1.39m)
    High 12:00pm (2.97m)
    Low 6:27pm (1.07m)

Praia da Ursa Location

Rate this beach

Average: 4.6 (18 votes)

Related articles

Sintra

Sintra travel guide »

Considered not only one of the wonders of Portugal but indeed of Europe, Sintra is truly a gem. Once the royal town of the country, it now deservedly holds UNESCO world heritage status and attracts hordes of visitors throughout the...