São Jacinto Beach — Attraction in Aveiro

Probably one of the best beaches I’ve ever been to. Vast, wild, and empty (there were around 10 other people visible on the beach in later September). Could have watched the crashing building-sized waves indefinitely. They were so mesmerising that my partner passed out face down on the sand almost immediately. Meanwhile, not being a great beach Ken myself, I went for a jog up and down the strandline - it was magical and soothing.

Notes & Tips:

Access: Walkable from the Sao Jacintho ferry terminal (2km). It runs about once an hour from the Aveiro ferry terminal. I recommend getting here via taxi as €6 and the cycle would be long, hot and not very picturesque as it is through a port/industrial region.

Shade: For pasty people such as myself, there is none. So bring a… parasol? Gazebo? Wetsuit and sombrero? Factor 50 every 15 minutes seemed to just about work.

Food: There are a couple of cafe’s in Sao Jacintho, but nothing near the beach. Bring a picnic from one of the small supermarkets in Aveiro (I recommend the mini Mercado on Rua da Palmeira - simply because the guy working there was immensely friendly and kind).

Swimming & Surfing: No shops or anything, so you would need to bring your own equipment. However you’d have to be pretty nuts as the day we went, the waves were monstrous and wild - a big part of the appeal. Saw two locals go for a paddle - but no one else.

The Nature Reserve: Intended on checking this out alongside the beach, but could not work out how to access or if it would even be worth it on foot. Couldn’t easily access from along the beach (very wild - as one...

This is an incredible beach with a great feel and vibe to it. Wooden walkway to the beach makes for a quick entrance and exit. Only drawback was the sea smelt a bit like sewage and had an ominous brown foam on the top. The beach is next to a treatment plant, so possible they’re piping...

It is a long way to drive down here, but the trip was worth it. It was very foggy when I arrived, but that made the place particulary precious. A very wide and long strip of nice sand beach. Walking south towards the tip, I was alone most of the time, with only a few people...