Magoito Beach

Category: Nature > Beach

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Magoito > Pedregal

Location:

Magoito Beach is located in the Pedregal area, in the village of Magoito, within the municipality of Sintra. This oceanic beach stretches along a valley, flanked by imposing cliffs that shape the coastal landscape. Its location allows, on days of good visibility, to glimpse Cabo da Roca on the southern horizon, offering a comprehensive view of the Atlantic coast. The beach is one of the elements that integrate the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, benefiting from a natural setting of great value.

Environment and Maritime Landscape:

Characterized by its considerable extension and golden sands, Magoito Beach features a turquoise-toned sea. It is renowned for its remarkable iodine richness, one of the highest in Europe. Along the sandy area, various rock formations punctuate the landscape. The beachfront, approximately three hundred meters long, may see its width vary according to the tides. Magoito's waves attract water sports enthusiasts, while the vastness of the sandy expanse invites moments of tranquility by the sea.

The Consolidated Dune:

One of the most distinctive and valuable elements of Magoito Beach is its consolidated dune, classified as a geomonument. This formation is the result of millions of years of sand accumulation and solidification, shaped by the continuous action of the sea and wind. Estimated to be around ten thousand years old, this fossil dune is a geological testament to the coastal evolution of the region. Observations of its laminations allow for understanding the direction of dominant winds at the time of its formation. Near this dune, there is an access ramp to the sandy area, designed to facilitate arrival at the beach.

Tradition and Geology of the Cliffs:

Magoito Beach is annually the setting for a peculiar tradition on Good Friday, when many people gather on the sand to collect mussels, in a local custom known as "holy mussel" (mexilhão santo). In addition to this cultural practice, the cliffs flanking the beach to the south reveal almost horizontal layers of sedimentary rocks, such as grey argillaceous limestones and marls. These formations are remnants of distant eras, millions of years ago, when sea levels were significantly higher than today, offering a window into the planet's geological history.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt