Azores, Portugal

Praia da Viola

Praia da Viola is a secluded beach located on an island. The beach is known for its natural beauty, characterized by several waterfalls and ruins of houses that add to its charm. The beach is divided into a rocky part and a sandy part, with a stream running across it. The sandy part of the beach is about 430m from the main parking area, which is located to the east of the beach.

The beach is not easily accessible, with a difficult climb down to reach it. The descent to the beach is by stairs, which can be slippery, especially during the winter. The path to the beach also includes a 2.2 km hike, which offers a good view of the coast of Maia and the sea.

Despite its beauty, the beach is not crowded, often allowing visitors to have the beach to themselves. However, visitors are advised to be cautious as the beach can be dangerous. The beach is known for its big waves and rip tides, and there are no lifeguards on duty. The beach also lacks amenities such as showers and toilets.

Explore accommodation options near Praia da Viola and enjoy the serene beauty of its waterfalls and historic ruins.

Visitors are advised to wear shoes due to the rocky terrain and to be careful of the big stones in the water that can be thrown by the waves. Visitors are also advised to respect the beach and the water mills.

What to do at Praia da Viola?

Amenities

Praia da Viola amenities include parking.

Restaurants

Best restaurants near Praia da Viola include O Cordeirinho and Moofana.

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the natural beauty of the beach, with many praising its tranquility, scenic views, and unique features such as waterfalls and ruins. The beach is also appreciated for its seclusion, offering a sense of being on an untouched land and providing opportunities to admire the sunset. However, visitors complain about the difficult access to the beach, with a challenging hike and potentially dangerous conditions due to big waves and slippery paths.

Where to Stay near Praia da Viola?

Most visitors to Praia da Viola stay in the nearby town of Ribeira Grande, which offers a variety of accommodations and easy access to other attractions on the island. The beach itself is often included as part of a broader itinerary exploring the natural beauty of the Azores, rather than being the sole focus of a trip.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Find the best nearby activities

What to do near Praia da Viola?

Where is Praia da Viola?

Latitude: 37.8387252 / Longitude: -25.3676502

Praia da Viola is located in Azores. The following map of Praia da Viola shows the exact location.

Praia da Viola: Weather Today

📅 Wednesday, September 10, 2025
It's shaping up to be a decent beach day at Praia da Viola. The air temperature will reach a high of 24.4 °C, perfect for enjoying the outdoors. The sea is a comfortable 23.1 °C, ideal for a refreshing dip. There's only a slight chance of rain, so you likely won't need an umbrella. Expect some clouds in the sky. The wind will be moderate, and the waves are relatively calm at 0.7 m. The UV index will be at 6.65, so make sure to apply sunscreen.
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Air

Low / High18.7°C/24.4°C
Feels Like (High)26.8°C
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Sea

Sea Temperature23.1 °C
Wave Height0.7 m
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Rain

Rain Chance13%
Rainfall0 mm
Rain Duration0 h
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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset07:20/19:57
Sunshine Hours9.6 hrs
UV Index6.65
Cloud Cover43%
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Wind

Speed14.3 km/h
Gusts28.1 km/h
DirectionNW

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