Near Melides, Praia de Melides lies on a long stretch of sand between the sea and Lagoa de Melides. The lagoon, varied landscapes and pottery tradition add further points of interest. When choosing your trip, you can focus on nature, coastal activities or cultural discoveries.

The Lagoon and Its Landscapes

Lagoa de Melides covers about 26 hectares. Small islands within it are covered with moisture-loving vegetation. The lagoon provides a habitat for eels, Pardelha fish, mullet, several species of heron, black kites and golden plovers, among others. Its history is also part of the character of this place: the lagoon was connected to the sea and served as a fishing port until the 18th century.

Melides has two distinct landscape zones. Along the coast, nutrient-poor heathland with stands of pine and eucalyptus predominates. In the rest of the area, the Serra landscape is dominant, with cork oak montado and some pine woodland, consisting mainly of stone pines. This gives nature enthusiasts two different areas of focus: the lagoon as a habitat, and the landscape explored by the BioMelides route. This route focuses primarily on ecological and landscape-related goals and aims to encourage direct contact with biodiversity.

The Coast and Activities

Surfing and bodyboarding are possible at nearby Praia de Melides almost all year round. A 4-kilometre access road links the beach to Melides and passes through pine forests and rice fields. Coastal activities and the landscapes along the route are distinct aspects of this beach option: the sea and Lagoa frame the long stretch of sand, while the access road passes through woodland and rice-growing countryside.

Pottery Tradition and Local History

Melides’ pottery tradition dates back at least to the mid-17th century. The pottery workshops at Núcleo Museológico da Olaria de Melides e Oficinas de Cerâmica let visitors watch part of the pottery-making process live and shape clay vessels themselves. They also demonstrate traditional methods of preparing and shaping clay. Olaria de Melides is part of the rural architecture and consists of a workshop and a Roman-style kiln. Here, the traditional working of clay, its practical demonstration and a tangible example of rural architecture come together as different aspects of the subject.

In Melides’ old town centre, several buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries feature wrought-iron balconies. Other points of interest offer different historical and landscape perspectives: PR4 GDL – Caminho das Cistas takes visitors on a journey through time to dolmens and cistas, examples of prehistoric funerary art. The group of windmills at Boavista offers sweeping views. Fonte dos Olhos is a park beside a body of water in the village of Melides.

When choosing between nature and culture, the areas of focus are clear: the lagoon and BioMelides represent habitat and biodiversity; pottery, historic buildings and PR4 GDL – Caminho das Cistas bring craftsmanship, architecture and prehistoric funerary art to the fore.

Discover more destinations: Azinheira Dos Barros, Grândola, Santa Margarida da Serra

Back to the parent travel overview: Grândola.