Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha (Porches)


Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha is a small fishing community and beach on the Atlantic coast of the civil parish/freguesia of Porches in the municipality/concelho of Lagoa in Portugal. The beach is one of the most rustic ones along the coast and was used as a refuge for small fishing boats in the area.
The beach is flanked by cliffs. At the west end is a promontory on which is the old Fort and Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Rocha. A tunnel has been excavated through this promontory to link Praia da Senhora da Rocha with Praia Nova on the other side.
The fact that the beach/Praia da Senhora da Rocha is protected by cliffs is not only a great advantage for the fishermen, it also offers shelter to tourists when the wind is very strong.