Redonda Beach

Category: Nature > Beach

District: Porto > Póvoa de Varzim > Póvoa de Varzim > Bairro Piscatório

Location

Praia Redonda is located in the city of Póvoa de Varzim, integrated into the heart of the Fishermen's Quarter. This urban maritime beach stretches along the town's coastline, offering direct contact with the city's urban fabric. It is flanked by a wide pedestrian promenade, which allows a fluid connection between the fishing port area, to the south, and Praia da Salgueira, to the north, facilitating access and integration into the urban environment.

A Bathing Legacy

Historically known as Praia de Banhos, Praia Redonda played a central role in the tourism development of Póvoa de Varzim. In the 19th century, it stood out as one of the first and most sought-after bathing resorts in Northern Portugal. This attractiveness was noted by writers such as Ramalho Ortigão, who described it as a vibrant meeting point for those seeking the benefits of sea bathing or the fresh coastal air, making it a place of great affluence and social interaction.

The Beach and Its Character

Praia Redonda is an extensive golden sandy beach, predominantly free of visible rocks on its sandy expanse, with the exception of a rock formation that marks its northern limit. Mainly frequented by families, it is a place where one can enjoy a characteristic bathing environment, marked by the presence of traditional toldos that lend a unique visual identity to the coastal landscape. During the summer months, it is common to feel the "nortadas", fresh winds blowing from the north. Sometimes, on dry hot days, a peculiar coastal fog can envelop the area, brought by maritime air masses from the south or west, but this tends to dissipate as the afternoon sun gains strength.

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