A Wild Atlantic Shoreline

Praia do Salgado is one of the most dramatic and untouched beaches along Portugal’s Silver Coast. It stretches between the northern end of São Martinho do Porto’s sheltered bay and the southern cliffs of Nazaré. Unlike the beaches in the towns on either side, Praia do Salgado feels remote, open, and naturally preserved.

It is known for its impressive high dunes, steep sandy slopes, and powerful ocean waves. The beach is backed not by development, but by cliffside paths and wide natural sand fields, giving it an atmosphere of isolation and quiet freedom.

Early History

Historically, this coastline was used by:

• Local fishermen, though cautiously — the surf here has always been rough and dangerous.
• Shepherds and small farmers, who used the higher plateau areas behind the dunes.
• Salt harvesting, which likely gave the beach its name Salgado (“salty”), referring to either evaporated salt ponds that once existed in the area or the naturally saline wetlands nearby.

This stretch of coast remained largely undeveloped because of the difficulty of access and the exposed Atlantic winds.

Connection to Nazaré’s Maritime Culture

Nazaré, just to the north, has a long history of maritime traditions — Catholic fishermen, wooden boats, and the distinctive black-cloaked women of Nazaré who historically waited for husbands returning from the sea. Praia do Salgado shares the same ocean, the same swells, and the same respect for nature’s power.

However, unlike Nazaré’s main beach, which later developed into a tourist and surf center, Praia do Salgado stayed wild.

Modern Era & Access

The beach only became more widely visited when:

• A paved road and parking area were developed near the cliffs
• Wooden stairways began providing safer access down the dunes

Even today, it is not a family beach and has no permanent facilities. The waves are strong, currents are unpredictable, and lifeguard presence is limited or seasonal.

This keeps the atmosphere quiet, raw, and natural.

Nude Beach Culture

Praia do Salgado is well-known as a naturist/nude-friendly beach, particularly in the middle and southern stretches where there are fewer visitors. The openness of the landscape, combined with the lack of commercial development, made it a natural gathering spot for people seeking privacy, naturism, or simply a quieter beach experience.

It is not officially designated as a naturist beach, but it is socially accepted and has been for decades.

The Present Day

Today, Praia do Salgado is popular with:

• Naturists
• Hikers
• Photographers
• Paragliders (the cliffs above the beach are a well-known launch point)
• People seeking solitude

You will not find cafés, shops, umbrellas, or loud beach bars here. The soundscape is almost entirely wind and waves.

Why Praia do Salgado Matters

In a region where tourism has grown rapidly, Praia do Salgado remains a place of authentic coastal identity:

• Untouched landscape
• Minimal development
• Freedom of personal expression (including naturism)
• A reminder of the old Atlantic coastline before the beach towns expanded

It is a beach that still feels like nature first, people second.

Praia do Salgado – Nazaré, Portugal 2020

Praia do Salgado – Nazaré, Portugal 2025