The Iconic Beach of Vila Nova de Milfontes

Franquia beach is the most widely known beach in Vila Nova de Milfontes. Its privilege location at Mira Mouth guarantees you superb conditions for practicing water sports, such as canoeing and windsurfing.

This beach not only offers all the conditions to enjoy a great beach day, but is also the perfect stage to watch the immense beauty of Mira Mouth and its surroundings.

Its short distance from Vila Nova de Milfontes center, its easy access and its waters tranquility, make it very popular among families with children.

From Franquia beach is possible to observe São Clemente Fort, formerly Vila Nova de Milfontes guardian, and Mira River entry and across the river, Furnas beach.

This beach has a beach facility, Quebramar Beach Bar, which at night also functions as a bar, organizing some of Milfontes most famous parties. So, Franquia beach is not only a place you must visit during the day, but also a spot you must visit during night.

Near Franquia beach is possible to find a sandy zone, specially prepared to practice beach soccer and beach volleyball. In this beach, you can also rent a canoe, to know better the mira river waters.

This beach has the following support structures: bathrooms, parking, showers, lounger and sunshades rental. During the summer tends to be difficult parking, so vacationers should choose whenever is possible to walk to the beach.

This beach has a lifeguard during the summer and it has a Red Cross Service Station traditionally.

Beach With Blue Flag!

Five kilometers north of Vila Nova de Milfontes you will find a natural wonder called Malhão beach. This beach stands out for its vast sands, that allows you to relax far away from the crowds that invade other beaches in the country.

The access to this beach is by dirt tracks, which with the lack of signalling can transform your discovery on a great adventure. Some people complain of these accesses, but for others the difficulty in getting there is part of the charm of the beach Malhão.

The size of the beach Malhão is such that even in the height of summer there is always room to spread your towel with tranquillity.

Its waves are great for surfing and bodyboarding, and it is common to see an significant number of boards in the water. It should be noted that surf schools in Vila Nova de Milfontes elect this beach as one of their “classrooms” par excellence, so if you want to learn to surf, this may be the ideal beach.

Malhão Beach Division

We can consider that Malhão beach is divided into three parts. The northern part consists of a large sandy area with dunes of considerable dimensions. In this area is tolerated the practice of nudism.

In the southern part it is also found a sandy area with considerable dimensions, delimited by a rocky hillside.

Finally, between the northern part and the southern part we find small beaches, more sheltered from the wind trough rock formations.

Although it is considered a wild beach, the beach Malhão is supervised during the summer period and has a first aid station of the lifeguard team responsibility present on site.