Praia de Rio de Moinhos

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia de Rio de Moinhos is a small, secluded ocean beach located in the parish of Marinhas, municipality of Esposende, Braga District, in northern Portugal along the Atlantic coast within the Norte Litoral Natural Park.

It features a short, narrow sandy stretch nestled between dunes, with some rocky areas, gravel, and pebbles caused by marine erosion. The beach has excellent water quality and holds Blue Flag, Gold Quality Award, and Accessible Beach certifications, making it well-maintained despite its rustic character. It offers basic amenities including free parking, a restaurant, bar/cafeteria, walking trails, and pedestrian paths, but is unsupervised with no lifeguards.

The beach can accommodate around 100 people and is known for being quiet and almost deserted, attracting visitors seeking tranquility. Popular activities include sport fishing (with proper authorization), hiking on coastal trails, and it's accessible via the EN13 highway from Cepães-Marinhas or the North Coast Ecovia cycling path. The average water temperature is 16°C, and the beach is exposed to the elements with no natural or artificial protection, making it popular among surf and water sports enthusiasts.