The expansive sandy beach at Praia do Furadouro is exposed to powerful Atlantic surf. Nearby, in the Ria de Aveiro behind the forest, windsurfers use calmer waters. These are two different water settings to consider when planning your trip: the open surf at the beach and the calmer waters of the Ria.
Beach, surf and water sports
Praia do Furadouro is known for its long sandy beach on the Atlantic coast. If you are interested in surfing, you will also find the Red Animal Surf School based here. Check with the provider before booking. The calmer waters used by windsurfers are nearby, in the Ria de Aveiro behind the forest. This clearly distinguishes the two water sports settings: powerful Atlantic surf at the Praia and calmer water in the Ria. In 2026, Praia do Furadouro received the “Qualidade de Ouro” seal.
Cycle towards Ovar
The distance between Praia do Furadouro and Ovar is about 3 km, and the route can be travelled by bicycle along a cycle path. If you would like to include Ovar in your trip, the cycle path is an option in its own right alongside Furadouro’s beach and nature attractions.
Fishing tradition and natural surroundings
The fishing tradition is also part of Praia do Furadouro’s character: Arte Xávega, a fishing technique described as ancestral, is a major attraction there. It offers a tangible cultural connection to the beach that goes beyond its landscape. For visitors interested in local coastal culture, Arte Xávega is a distinctive consideration when planning a trip.
The natural surroundings near Praia do Furadouro include the Ria de Aveiro and the Floresta de Pinheiro Bravo. The forest is part of the Regime Florestal das Dunas de Ovar. Together with the expansive beach, this landscape shows that Furadouro is not defined only by its Atlantic coast: the nearby Ria and forest also shape its natural surroundings. The Ria is also where windsurfers use the calmer waters.
Planning around festivals and dates
The FURA FESTIVAL was scheduled for 14 to 16 August 2026. The daily programme was set to include nautical, urban and environmental experiences; admission was free. If you are planning a future trip around the festival, check the dates and programme for your travel year.
The Festas do Mar take place in Furadouro on the second weekend of September; the date may vary in some years. The two festivals therefore offer different points of reference for timing your trip: specific dates are available for the FURA FESTIVAL in 2026, while the date of the Festas do Mar may change from year to year. So check the date for the relevant year before planning a stay around a festival.
When to visit and finding a holiday apartment
When looking for a holiday apartment in Furadouro, it helps to first decide whether a particular festival date will determine your stay. For a visit tied to a festival, confirm the dates for the relevant travel year; the information about the FURA FESTIVAL and the Festas do Mar is not interchangeable. If you are not planning around a specific event, you can instead choose your travel dates based on the beach and water sports or the cycle route towards Ovar. This way, you can start planning with the reason for your trip rather than with an assumed festival schedule.
For an overview of the wider area: Ovar.
