Costa Dourada

Portugal's "golden coast", the Costa Dourada, extends along the open Atlantic between the Ponta da Arrifana in the south of the country and the mouth of the Rio Sado. Although very scenic, with its cliffs and seemingly endless beaches, it is still virtually undeveloped in terms of tourism. This is because of its fairly raw climate and the wind blowing constantly off the sea, so that only a few sheltered coves are suitable for swimming.