Lisbon Beaches: Best Beaches Near Lisbon
The best beaches near Lisbon by train, bus or car: Carcavelos, Cascais, Costa da Caparica, Sintra's wild coves and Arrábida, with travel times.
October 24, 2022 • 8 min read
Discover The Best Beaches In And Near Lisbon, Portugal
Beaches Near Lisbon at a Glance
Is There a Beach in Lisbon?
Not in the city center. Lisbon's waterfront faces the Tagus estuary, and locals head out of town to swim. The good news is that the nearest Atlantic beaches are only 20 to 40 minutes away by train, so a beach afternoon fits easily into a city trip. The water is cool all year: around 16°C (61°F) in winter and 20°C (68°F) in late summer.
Beaches on the Cascais Line
The Cascais line runs along the coast from Cais do Sodré station, at the end of Lisbon's green metro line, to Cascais. Trains are frequent, run from early morning until after midnight, and many stations are a short walk from the sand. It is the simplest beach trip from Lisbon, with no car needed.
1. Carcavelos
Carcavelos is the largest beach on the Lisbon to Cascais coast, with about 1.5 km of sand, and one of the most popular. The train from Cais do Sodré takes about 25 minutes, and the beach is a flat walk of about 700 meters from the station. The waves suit beginner and intermediate surfers, and several surf schools rent boards and give lessons. Cafés, beach bars, showers and summer lifeguards line the promenade, and the São Julião da Barra fort stands at the eastern end.
2. Santo Amaro de Oeiras
The closest beach on the line, about 20 minutes from Cais do Sodré, with the sand a couple of minutes from Oeiras station. It is a good choice for a short swim when you do not want to go further.
3. Tamariz, Estoril
At Estoril, you step off the train onto the seafront promenade, with Tamariz beach right below. The promenade continues west to Cascais, about 3 km on foot, past smaller beaches such as Azarujinha.
4. Conceição, Duquesa and Rainha, Cascais
Cascais, about 40 minutes from Lisbon at the end of the line, has several small town beaches a few minutes from the station. Conceição and Duquesa are the largest, with calm water that suits families, and the tiny Praia da Rainha sits next to the historic center. Combine a swim with lunch in the old town and a walk to the Boca do Inferno cliffs.
5. Guincho
About 5 km west of Cascais, in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Guincho is a long, wild beach backed by dunes and the Sintra hills. It is one of the best spots near Lisbon for windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing, but strong currents, a powerful shore break and frequent wind make it a poor choice for swimming, especially with children. Come for the scenery and a seafood lunch. Reach it by car, bus or bike from Cascais.
Costa da Caparica, South of the River
6. Costa da Caparica
Across the 25 de Abril Bridge, Costa da Caparica is a single stretch of sand of about 30 km running south toward Arrábida. Bus 161 from Cais do Sodré takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. In summer, the small Transpraia beach train runs along the coast with numbered stops, so you can choose a quieter section away from the town. The northern beaches are good for beginner surfers; the southern sections have bigger, less predictable waves. Rip currents are a real risk, so swim between the lifeguard flags. On summer weekends, traffic to the bridge can be heavy, so the bus or an early start is best.
The Sintra Coast
West of Sintra, the coast is a line of cliffs and small, wild coves inside the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The water is clean but cold, the waves can be big, and most beaches are best reached by car.
7. Praia da Adraga
Adraga sits at the end of a valley between dark cliffs, about a 35-minute drive from Lisbon. It has lifeguards in summer, showers and a well-known seafood restaurant on the beach. There is no public transport and the small car park fills early in summer, so arrive in the morning, especially at weekends.
8. Praia Grande
The next beach north of Adraga is larger and the favorite of local surfers, with a sea-water pool above the sand. Combine it with Azenhas do Mar, a village on the cliffs a short drive further north.
9. Praia da Ursa
Near Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Ursa is one of the most dramatic beaches in Portugal, with sea stacks rising from the water. It is reached only by a steep, rough path down the cliff, so it suits sure-footed walkers who want to look rather than swim.
Arrábida, South of Setúbal
10. Galapinhos, Galapos and Creiro
The beaches of the Arrábida Natural Park, about 45 minutes south of Lisbon by car, have the calmest and clearest water near the city, with green hills dropping into the sea. Galapinhos, Galapos and Creiro, near Portinho da Arrábida, are the best known. In recent summers, roughly June to mid-September, car access to these beaches has been restricted during the day, with shuttle buses from Setúbal and paid parking at set points, so check the current rules from the Setúbal tourist office before you go. A boat trip is another way to see the coves.
Which Beach Should You Choose?
When to Go and Practical Tips
- Season: the beach season runs from about June to September, when lifeguards are on duty. The sea is warmest from August to October, at around 20°C (68°F).
- Crowds: beaches near Lisbon get very busy on summer weekends. Go on a weekday or arrive before 11 am.
- Flags: swim only where there are lifeguards and follow the flags. Atlantic currents can be strong.
- Sun and wind: the afternoon wind can pick up on the west-facing beaches, so Cascais and Arrábida are often more sheltered.
- Tickets: for the Cascais train and the buses, a rechargeable Navegante card from any metro or train station is the simplest option.
