Babacashee
Arriving: the cliffs at Malhão
Praia do Malhão is on the wild Alentejo coast, right on the Fishermen's Trail. The cliffs are fascinating. The dark layered rock started out as mud and sand on an ancient seafloor. Bright white lines of quartz run through some of it, filling old cracks. You are walking along a visible piece of deep geological history.
For Aba, the long, wild beach is a dream. It gets busier in high season, but there is room for everyone. The sand was easy on his paws, and we didn't find any glass. Shade is scarce, though. There is very little of it, so on hot days we'd bring water and something to make shade for the dog.
The wild beach walk
The walk itself is about half an hour along the sand, below folded cliffs and next to the Atlantic waves. Quite a few people walk their dogs off-leash here. We met a rider on horseback with three dogs. You can hear the panic in my voice when Aba suddenly takes off towards the horse. Riders do turn up here sometimes.
We also swam and went bodyboarding, and we had a great time. If you want to cool off in the water too, check the conditions and the flags first. For birders, it doesn't seem worth bringing big lenses. Apart from a few gulls, we saw little bird activity. Do bring a camera for landscapes, though. The sunset over the ocean and the cliffs is beautiful.
Good to know
- Bring water and your own shade for your dog on hot days. There is very little natural shade on the beach.
- Riders on horses sometimes come along the beach, where quite a few dogs are off-leash.
- Check the sea conditions and the flags before you go in the water.
- Stay for sunset, and leave the heavy birding lenses at home.
Praia do Malhão with a dog: questions
Is there shade for dogs at Praia do Malhão?
We found very little natural shade at Praia do Malhão. On hot days, bring water and your own shade for your dog.
Do people walk their dogs off-leash at Praia do Malhão?
Yes, quite a few people walk their dogs off-leash at Praia do Malhão. Riders on horses sometimes turn up too. We met one rider with three dogs, and Aba took off towards the horse, which gave us a brief panic.
Is the sand at Praia do Malhão safe for paws?
We found Praia do Malhão paw-friendly. We didn't find any glass shards on our walk.
Is Praia do Malhão crowded with a dog in high season?
Praia do Malhão gets busier in high season. It is a long beach, though, and we felt there was room for everyone.
Can you swim at Praia do Malhão?
We swam and went bodyboarding at Praia do Malhão and had a great time. If you want to go in the water, check the conditions and flags first.