One headland, two beaches, and a tunnel cut through the rock between them. Praia Nova sits on the east side of the Senhora da Rocha promontory at Porches, under the white chapel that has marked this headland for centuries — and a hand-cut passage through the cliff connects it to Praia da Senhora da Rocha on the far side. Walking through the rock from one beach to the other is the signature move here, and the tunnel mouth is a ready-made frame photographers lean on hard.
The beach itself is a proper cove: golden cliffs at your back, clear water in front, sand that narrows as the tide comes in. It draws a steady summer crowd from the resorts above without ever quite feeling like a resort beach — the geology keeps it honest.
When to go: mornings for calm water and a quiet tunnel; late afternoon if you want low light raking the cliff faces. In high season, arrive early or accept company.
Who it’s for: photographers — between the tunnel, the chapel silhouette on the headland and the cliff textures, this is one of the most composition-dense coves on the central coast — plus families staying around Porches and swimmers who like their beaches walled and sheltered.
About This Spot
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General AreaNear Porches, Lagoa
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Coverage BadgeArchive
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Difficulty2 Moderate
Getting There & Access
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Getting ThereSigned from Porches off the N125, down toward the Senhora da Rocha headland.
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Access TermsFree Public
Photography Notes
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Shooting NotesThe hand-cut tunnel between the two beaches is the signature frame — shoot through it in both directions; the chapel on the headland anchors wider compositions.
