Praia da Fonte do Cortiço

Praia da Fonte do Cortiço is the next beach south from Costa de Santo André, and locals also call it Areias Brancas, “white sands”. Santiago do Cacém’s tourism office describes a straight beach of very pale, fine sand, surrounded by a large area of dunes and pine woods. Unlike Costa de Santo André, which has a village behind it, Fonte do Cortiço lies entirely inside the Reserva Natural das Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha, a nature reserve created in 2000 to protect two coastal lagoons and the dunes around them.

This is the open Atlantic with nothing to shelter it. VisitPortugal warns that the sea is rough and can hide some dangers, and the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) lists the beach as having “waves of special value”, its label for good surf. The council gives an average water temperature of 16 to 19°C in the bathing season, which is cold for small children.

So this is a beach for older children who can cope with waves, always in front of the lifeguard post, and for families who come mainly for the sand, the space and a walk. Toddlers will enjoy digging, but the water’s edge needs an adult right beside them. For calm water, Sines’ town beach is sheltered by the harbour.

The reason to choose Fonte do Cortiço over its neighbour is nature. VisitPortugal mentions long walks along the shore and footpaths from the beach towards the Lagoa da Sancha, one of the reserve’s two lagoons. The tourism office says the reserve is an important stop for migrating birds and has a bird observation and ringing centre, and that 510 species of plants have been recorded in it, many of them adapted to salt and flooding.

Explain to children why the dunes matter: the plants on them hold the sand together, so stay on the marked paths, and keep dogs away from nesting areas.

The 2026 bathing season ran from 13 June to 15 September, with lifeguards on duty in that period; the council did not publish the hours online, so check the board at the beach. Fonte do Cortiço held a Blue Flag in 2026 and, with Costa de Santo André, Quercus’s Gold Quality award for consistently excellent water. The APA classed the water as Excellent, and the last check of the season, on 14 September 2026, was suitable for bathing.

Guia da Cidade, a directory, says the access is a sandy road of about 2.5 km and that there is a small picnic area. The APA’s profile lists parking, toilets and an information board, but no beach bar, no showers and no first-aid post. Bring food, water and shade. The beach is not on the 2026 Praia Acessível list, and the sandy access makes it hard going with a buggy or a wheelchair.

Rough, cold sea; no café on the sand; limited shade; and a sandy approach. The council also says this stretch of coast gets very busy in July and August. If you have toddlers or want facilities, Costa de Santo André next door is easier.

Badoca Safari Park is near Vila Nova de Santo André for a day of animals, and the Santo André skate plaza is a good stop for older children with boards or scooters. On a windy day, the municipal pools in Santiago do Cacém are a sheltered alternative.

Is Fonte do Cortiço safe for toddlers?

Only for sand play with an adult close by. The sea is open Atlantic, rough at times and cool, and the APA rates the waves as good for surfing.

Is there a lifeguard at Fonte do Cortiço?

Yes, during the bathing season, which in 2026 ran from 13 June to 15 September.

Is there a café at Praia da Fonte do Cortiço?

The APA does not list a beach bar in 2026, so bring your own food. Costa de Santo André, next door, has more facilities.

Is Fonte do Cortiço the same as Areias Brancas?

Yes. Areias Brancas, “white sands”, is the other name for the same beach.

Can you walk to the Lagoa da Sancha from the beach?

VisitPortugal says footpaths lead from the beach towards the Lagoa da Sancha, inside the nature reserve.