Where are the nearest beaches to the centre of Lisbon and how do I get there ?
Caxias beach
The beach is located on the edge of the main road between Lisbon and Cascais. Contrary to appearances, this accessible beach is very quiet and clean. Small in size and sheltered from the wind, it is the perfect place for an afternoon with the children. For added comfort, it also has a private beach with sunbeds and parasols.
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Access the beach of Caxias by train : at Cais do Sodré station, take the train towards Cascais. Exit at the Caxias stop, just opposite the beach. Then just cross the road.
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
The famous beach of Carcavelos
Carcavelos is perhaps the most easily accessible and busiest beach in Lisbon as it is only 20 minutes from the centre of Lisbon. In good weather, Carcavelos beach remains a pleasant beach during the hot summer days and it attracts many locals. And for good reason ! The beach is surrounded by bars, restaurants with terraces and areas for various leisure activities. There is a beach soccer field, a beach volleyball field and even a skateboard track ! Finally, with its beautiful waves, Carcavelos beach is an ideal spot for surfers and bodyboarders, whose lessons can be booked via our surf page.
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Getting to Carcavelos beach by train : at Cais do Sodré station, take the train to Carcavelos station.
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
Tamariz beach
Praia do Tamariz is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Estoril coast. It is as popular with tourists as it is with locals.
Tamariz also has an ocean swimming pool with free access. This beach is perfect for young families. Swimming in Tamariz + a tour for kids in the heart of Lisbon is a perfect combination to make unforgettable memories of Portugal.
You can go for a walk, rollerblading or cycling and enjoy a wide range of bars, restaurants and discos. We must not forget to mention the Casino which has a great agenda.
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Very conveniently located, it is next to the train/bus station which is served directly to the Estoril stop by the Lisboa-Cascais train line.
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
Da Rainha beach
In the heart of the city of Cascais, Praia da Rainha is a small but charming urban beach. Surrounded by cliffs, it has some of the calmest and most crystal clear waters in the region. It is, in fact, very well sheltered. Beware, however, of overcrowding in summer or on sunny weekends. Praia da Rainha means Queen’s Beach. The name of the beach was given by Queen Dona Amelia, as it was one of her private properties… Classy ! For even more freedom and a memorable experience with family or friends, we suggest a return trip to Lisbon by sailboat or catamaran.
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If you're in Lisbon, there's the train at Cais do Sodré that connects Lisbon to Cascais. Once you arrive at Cascais station, you will have a very short walk.
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
Our suggestion for a restaurant on the coast : Baia do Peixe in Cascais where for 26 euros you can have all-you-can-eat seafood.
Guincho beach
With its white sand and crystal clear water, Guincho is the largest beach in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Guincho beach is very popular with surfers, kitesurfers and especially windsurfers, as it is an area with strong gusts of wind. The waves are sometimes plump ! I remember one March with a good 2m50 tube. Lessons can be booked via our surf page.
Despite the lack of facilities, there are a few bars & restaurants in the area, including the Michelin starred Fortaleza do Guincho.
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If you are in Lisbon, you will need to take the train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais, then take bus 405 or 415 which will drop you off near the beach.
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
Ursa beach : Lisbon's secret beach
This beautiful, secluded beach is surrounded by cliffs and is just a stone’s throw from Cabo da Roca. It is the promise of a guaranteed feeling of escape.
This little paradise, hidden from view, gives you the opportunity to disconnect for a day. There are no restaurants or toilets here, this is a wild beach. Bring your picnic and something to cool off. The place is also suitable for hiking.
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Take the train from Cais do Sodre to the terminus in Cascais. Then take bus 403 and get off at Cabo Da Roca (opposite the beach path). Once you get off, it's a 35 min walk to the beach.
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
Adraga beach
I could easily classify it as one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, it bluffs ! Its access makes it difficult to reach. The objective is therefore the reward of an arduous and steep walk. It is necessary to bring water and snacks or a little money to enjoy a meal at the restaurant of the beach da Adraga.
This beach brings together several profiles of people : fishermen, climbers, wine growers (who rarely come down from the westernmost post-phylloxera vineyards of continental Europe…) and of course the curious who are amply rewarded by the Alvidrar rock which sublimates this unique beach. The more adventurous venture into the caves on the beach or onto a « secret » beach accessible by passing behind rocks… Get your compasses ready!
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No public transport available, plan to go by car!
Grande beach
The popularity of this beach is due to its size, considered the second largest beach in the Sintra region. It is also a popular place for surfers as it hosts championships.
This beach is very popular with the Portuguese and offers several bars and restaurants on the seafront.
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It takes about 25-30 minutes by bus (441) to get there, from Portela station (Sintra). From Lisbon, you will need to take the train at Rossio station towards Sintra (terminus).
Check train timetables on the website of Comboios de Portugal.
Other beaches : praia das Maças, praia do Magoito
Our suggestion for a restaurant on the coast : Restaurant Azenhas do Mar (very good fish restaurant).
The beaches of Costa da Caparica extend over 15 kilometres and are the largest sandy beaches in the region.
Caparica has a multitude of beaches, one after the other, which are easily accessible by car. These fine sandy beaches are very busy, so beware of the traffic jams at the end of the week ! There are typical restaurants, beach clubs and everything you need to have a good time on the beach.
There is something for everyone. Each beach club has a different atmosphere, so you are spoilt for choice!
Near the fishing village of Cova do Vapor, you will come across the praia de Sao Joao de Caparica. This huge beach of about 1.4km is very popular for all the activities it has to offer. World class waves, excellent swimming area, you name it ! This beach is ideal for taking your first steps in surfing.
Further south, the Praia de Infante is perfect for families ! Unlike the other beaches, the waves are not too big and the Casablanca beach club is perfect for having a good time with your family.
The Praia de Castelo is a very popular beach for the Portuguese. Right on the beach you will find a typical coastal restaurant. Special mention for the amêijoas à bulhão pato ! On either side of the beach you will also find two very festive beach clubs. In particular Yamba, considered to be one of the best beach clubs in the world in 2020.
Nudists and gays, praia 19 is for you. This beach is the most secluded on the Costa da Caparica. It is one of the few official naturist beaches in Portugal. Over the years, the beach has started to welcome more and more the gay community, making it the most famous in Portugal. Did you meet any good people ? If you want to continue your night out, check out our page on the best gay places and bars in Lisbon.
Pour finir, la dernière plage de Caparica, et pas des moindres, le village de Fonte da Telha. C’est une station balnéaire parfaite pour les familles. Vous y trouverez des plages surveillées, des restaurants, des bars, des écoles nautiques, un centre de plongée. Profitez également des belles balades dans le maquis, en haut de la falaise ! Vous pouvez d’ailleurs réserver un cours de surf à Sao Joao da Caparica sur notre page spéciale surf.
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Take the ferry at Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (10 min) and then take bus 124 or 135 from Cacilhas to Costa da Caparica.
Once there, you can take the "Transpraia" tourist train that serves the various beaches of Caparica (except Fonte da Talha).
Figueirinha beach
Praia da Figueirinha is undoubtedly one of the best known and most sought-after beaches in the region due to its easy access and the tranquillity of its waters. This heavenly beach offers you the possibility (at low tide) to reach the small coves in the vicinity during a walk along the seafront. The beach has immediate access to a huge cove, ideal for windsurfers.
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From Sete Rios station (blue line), take the train to Setubal (terminus). At Setubal station, take the shuttle bus that goes directly to Figueirinha beach.
Check train timetables on the website of Fertagus.
Galapinhos beach
As I mentioned before, the Serra da Arrabida has some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, if not Europe. Praia dos Galapinhos offers soft and crystal clear waters, white sand…It’s exotic. It is a unique beach because of its diversity. As soon as you set foot there, you won’t want to leave, because the landscape is incredible. A real paradise on earth.
For divers, this beach is an ideal place to observe the marine fauna and flora or even for underwater fishing.
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The only flaw (or the strong point according to opinions) is the difficulty of getting there. Apart from not being able to use public transport and being forced to travel by car, the path to the beach is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Coelhos beach
It is in the most inaccessible areas that the most beautiful places are found. And dos Coelhos beach is no exception. To discover the crystal clear waters and the white sandy beach behind this vegetation, you have to keep in mind that you will be walking a bit. There is no vehicle access to the beach. As you can already imagine, with an isolated area like this, there are no facilities, be it bars, restaurants or toilets. So make sure you have something to eat and drink. That’s it, you’re ready for the adventure!
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The only means of transport you can use is a car. Your journey begins on the road to the beaches of Arrabida. When you arrive in Galapinhos, park your car and follow a dirt road through the vegetation. This will take you directly to dos Coelhos beach.
Portinho da Arrabida
Located in the Serra da Arrabida Natural Park, Praia do Portinho is known for its beauty and tranquillity. Surrounded by dense vegetation, this beach offers a magnificent landscape, between its fine sand bank and its blue-shaded water.
This relaxing bay is a good place to go diving and to observe the marine biodiversity.
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The only means of transport you can use is a car. Your journey begins on the road to the beaches of Arrabida. Park at Creiro beach. Access to Portinho de Arrabida is limited.
Ouro beach / California beach
In winter it is an ideal place for those who practice surfing and bodyboarding, but in summer the waves of the Praia do Ouro dissipate, becoming an ideal beach for swimmers who wish to enjoy the sun and its refreshing waters.
In 2013, the beach was renovated and equipped with infrastructure (public toilets and bars) to make it more comfortable and attractive to the public. Between May and October you can watch scenes of arte xávega, the traditional seine fishing.
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From Sete Rios station (blue line), take bus 207 to Sesimbra.
Check bus timetables on the TST website.
Ribeira do Cavalo beach : Lisbon's other secret beach.
For lovers of paradise beaches, the Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo is a real sanctuary. The purity of its waters is enough to make Thailand’s jealous (except for the temperature…) ! Isolated, you must bring something to refresh yourself and eat.
This wild beach is surrounded by cliffs and maquis. You can only access this beach by boat or by a difficult to reach footpath. The more adventurous will choose the footpath.
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At the Forte Cavalo de Sesimbra campsite, you will find a dirt track. Go straight ahead and you will see on your left the beginning of the path that will take you to the beach. Cars parked on the side of the road are a good indicator.
Baleeira beach
Also known as Praia do Paraiso (Paradise), Praia da Baleeira is a pebble beach that is famous for its calm and transparent waters. This bay is therefore very popular for first-time divers. It is a completely wild beach and difficult to access.
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The beach is located near the village of Azóia. Here are the GPS coordinates : N 38 ° 24.930 W 009 ° 11.366. Walk along the dirt road, then take a small sloping path on your right. In total, there are 1500 metres of descent.
Return boat transfers to Portinho da Arrábida
Return boat transfers to Praia Ribeiro do Cavalo
Return boat transfers to Praia da Baleeira
Meco beach
This long beach is protected by cliffs and a pine forest. It is mainly known for its restaurant, Bar do Peixe, famous for its fresh grilled fish and dishes such as limpets with garlic butter. This beach hosts the ultimate international frisbee tournament every year : the Bar do Peixe International Tournament. For the more adventurous you won’t be disappointed, the waves are big and powerful so watch out.
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From Sete Rios station (blue line), take bus 207 to Sesimbra. Once there, in Sesimbra, take bus 223 to Aldeia Do Meco
Check bus timetables on the TST website.
Alfarim beach
This beautiful beach is an alternative for those looking for a wild beach. Access is via a long wooden staircase. Faced with a vast expanse of sand and an ocean as far as the eye can see, Alfarim beach is a pleasant place to swim or to stroll in the sun.
- Take bus 207 to Sesimbra. Once in Sesimbra, take bus 223 to Aflarim.
Check bus timetables on the TST website.
Das Bicas beach
Located south of Moinho de Baixo beach. It is an area exposed to the strong north and west winds, so it is very popular with surfers and bodyboarders.
The beach has almost no infrastructure, but for surfers this factor is not very important. The waves and the good water quality are enough to satisfy them.
Last but not least, this beach is frequented by naturists.
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Once you get there by car, it won't be difficult to get to the beach, you'll have to go down the wooden staircase that goes down the cliff.
Lagoa de Albufeira
Lagoa de Albufeira is the perfect place for a day out with family and friends, as it is very safe for children. You will find a beautiful panorama, many shaded areas. It is ideal for picnics by the sea. Because of the permanent winds, this spot is ideal for kite-surfing.
On site, don’t miss the tasting of clams in an appetizing broth (ameijoas a bulhao pato) : they are fished on the spot, there is no fresher ! Waves or no waves, there’s something for everyone !
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Take the 207 to Sesimbra then at Sesimbra take the bus to Lagoa Albufeira.
Check bus timetables on the TST website.
