The Grand Beach is located on the eastern shores of the Arad Estuary, its name meaning "Great Beach", and it is the largest of Ferragudo's riverside beaches. The northern end of the beach is defined by a small cliff on top of which stands the 16th century fortress of São João de Arad. The fort was originally built to defend the coast from pirates and is now a private residence; This beach has a lot of facilities like cafes and shops, it is a popular place and it can get very crowded in the summer months.