Praia do Paçô

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia do Paçô, also known as Praia de Paçô or Praia do Forte, is a scenic, Blue Flag‑certified beach on the northern Costa Verde coastline in the Viana do Castelo district of Portugal, near the village of Carreço.

It lies in a small, sheltered bay about 1 km northwest of the Montedor lighthouse, with a wide stretch of fine golden sand bordered by low dunes and fields, and backed by rocky outcrops at either end that help protect it from the strongest north winds.

The beach is known for calm waters ideal for swimming, good facilities such as seasonal lifeguards, toilets, showers, and a paid car park, as well as a relaxed, family‑friendly atmosphere. Among its main attractions are the 18th‑century Forte de Paçô ruins, part of the old coastal defence system, and a cluster of traditional granite “fishing houses” once used for sargaço harvesting that now serve as holiday homes, adding cultural and historic interest to the natural setting.