I love beaches as much as the next gal. So during my trip to the Azores islands, you know I had to seek out some of the best Azores beaches. These islands are a hidden gem for beach lovers.

From the Algarve to the Azores, these are the best beaches in Portugal for sunning, swimming, and sand castles.

Praia dos Mosteiros provides a great introduction to the beaches typical of this island chain ... For more information, visit Portugal's tourism board's website. Azores Whale Watching & Islet ...

A stunning European archipelago is home to "dramatic landscapes" and scenic beauty - and its sunswept beaches aren't overrun ...

From the famed beaches of the Algarve to the sun-soaked islands of the Azores, Portugal is home to an array of breathtaking shorelines just waiting to be explored. But with so many stunning ...

If the golden sands and windswept beaches of Portugal are calling your name, head to this stylish coastal town that's a quick ...

Here are five Azores island trails you may consider for your next hiking trip. Pico Island also hosts Portugal 's highest ...

Kerry Murray for The New York Times A view overlooking the northwest coast of São Miguel, the largest of the islands that make up the Azores archipelago. Kerry Murray for The New York Times Steam ...

Welcome to the Azores, nine volcanic islands 1500 kilometres off the coast of Portugal in the North Atlantic ... it's a short walk from the harbour and beach, located on Horta's main street.

The Balearics, the South of France, and the Amalfi Coast are obvious picks, but have you considered Portugal ... island on the Ria Formosa has three miles of pristine white-sand beaches—and ...