Long sandy beaches are found all along the Atlantic coast north and south of Oporto. Nearest to the mill are Vila Praia da Ancôra, and Moledo beach near Caminha. Vila Praia da Ancôra is a small fishing village; it has a harbour where you can buy fish freshly landed from the boat. In the summer, it is a popular beach resort with bars and restaurants, and out of season the beaches offer fabulous walking. The mouth of the river Ancora provides a sheltered and more shallow spot where children like to play and swim.
Slightly further north on the border with Spain is Moledo beach, a huge expanse of white sand. From here you can also take a ferry across to the Spanish beach at A Guarda.
There are also many river beaches signposted along the River Lima valley between Viana de Castelo and Ponte de Barca.