Marinha Grande · Leiria
Vieira de Leiria Beach
Fishing village where xavega — the traditional net-fishing art using tractors on the beach — is still practised in summer.
Beach Information
About the Beach
Vieira de Leiria is one of the last Atlantic villages in Portugal where xavega is still practised in a real context — not as a tourist performance, but as a fishing activity documented by Docapesca and the Marinha Grande Municipal Council. Between June and September, fishermen drag the nets ashore with the help of tractors, and visitors can buy the catch directly from the boat.
The village benefits from proximity to the Pinhal Nacional de Leiria, which covers the coastal dunes to the north and south. The beach itself is 4 km long with a clean sandy seabed and medium-energy waves that attract an active local surf community. The village has a daily fish market and fresh seafood restaurants.
Access is via the IC9 (Leiria-Figueira da Foz) with exit at Marinha Grande; Vieira de Leiria is 17 km from Leiria city. During xavega season (usually August), the nets reach the shore in the late afternoon — contact Cofremag (Fishermen's Cooperative) for schedules.
Experiences in the region
See experiences in Leiria on GetYourGuide →Beach equipment
Editorial references
Wikipedia (Vieira de Leiria) · cm-marinha-grande.pt · Docapesca · Cofremag · ICNF (Pinhal Nacional)
Editorial content curated by the Portugal Travel Hub team. Water quality per official APA analysis.
Before you go: confirm lifeguard hours, road access and capacity — especially in high season and after heavy rain.
Last updated: 2026-05-19.