Beach 19 gay

A Surfer&#;s Paradise

Located in the municipality of Almada, about 10 kilometres from Lisbon, Costa da Caparica is home to the largest contiguous beach in Portugal, spanning approximately 30 kilometres.

While the town centre is overdeveloped and best avoided, the long sandy beaches just south of town are popular in the summer with surfers, tourists and local visitors. There are several surf schools, as well as restaurants, cafés and bars that are open all year round.

As you go further south, the beach area becomes quieter, less crowded and less clothed.

Gay & Naked

There is a well-known gay beach called “Beach 19”, located at the south end of Costa da Caparica.  This charming sandy beach attracts a large gay crowd who leave little to the imagination.  The dunes behind the beach are a also popular cruising identify in the late afternoon.

Beach 19 lies between the more traditionally named Praia da Bela Vista and Praia Fonte da Telha in Costa da Caparica. Just across the bridge from Lisbon this substantial stretch of sandy coast is widely regarded as a beachgoer's paradise. 

Before we go on it is worth explaining the identify of this beach. The beaches of Costa Caparica are served by a miniature train known as the "Transpraia" which runs from the town at the northern end, all the way to Fonte da Telha about 10 km to the south. There are a total of 21 stops along the way of which Praia 19 is the 19th.

Praia 19 was originally one of a handful of official naturist beaches in Portugal. However, over time the beach has remained a nudist beach but has become almost exclusively gay. It probably developed this way as this was one of the more remote stretches of the Costa da Caparica.

The backdrop to Beach 19 is the nature reserve of Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil. This begins with an area of grassy sand dunes which stretch back to high sandstone cliffs and forests beyond. There is very brief in the way of development or facilities along this section of coast. Snacks and drinks can sometimes

Gay Beaches in Algarve

Praia de João de Arens

Once a well-kept secret and almost exclusively gay, this stunning beach is now a naturist’s paradise attracting as many straight people as gay. Hidden at the bottom of a pine-covered headland, it has two sides separated by a cliff and linked by a tunnel carved by nature. After carefully accompanying a trail down the cliff, you arrive at the western side. This is where most people stay, sunbathing or swimming nude. You shouldn’t quit without checking out the eastern side, as it offers beautiful views of the coast all the way to the town of Portimão. Before or after your day at the beach, also obtain some time to appreciate the view from the clifftop. The rock formations, the views, and the atmosphere make this one of the most intimate beaches in Algarve.

Location: Alvor
Where to Stay: Prainha Clube

See the Praia de João de Arens Guide.

Praia do Submarino

When Praia de João de Arens is too crowded, many people head to this neighboring beach. That is, if the tides allow them. Named after a submarine-shaped rock emerging from the water, it’s another beach hidden at the bottom of a cliff, but it disappears at high

Praia 19 Gay Beach

Beach 19 is said to be Europe's largest gay beach

With dunes rising up from the sea to sandstone cliffs in the distance, this is largely considered Europe’s most beautiful (and largest) gay beach.

Beach 19 is an official nude beach

It’s been recognizable as a “gay beach” since the s, but it’s been attracting same-sex attracted men since the s, when this stretch of the Caparica coast became a secluded beach where nude sunbathing was tolerated (it was declared an official nude beach in ).

Dunes and protected sandstone cliffs face the beach

The seclusion has a price -- there are no facilities of any kind -- for bathrooms and places to eat you have to walk for about to minutes to the north or south. This is a protected area, so development is restricted, sense you shouldn’t expect to ever find a Mykonos-type club or hotels.

This is a deserted beach -- for facilities you have to walk to the neighboring beach of Fonte da Telha

The name derives from the number signposted by the train tracks behind it, indicating the stop of the tourist train that connects the beaches of Costa da Caparica from June to September.

19 is arguably Europe's most beautiful gay b

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