Lisbon beaches - when and where to relax by the ocean

Lisbon beaches – when and where to relax by the ocean. The Lisbon Riviera – beaches near Cascais, Sintra, Almada, how to get there and where to stay.

Lisbon is one of the most interesting vacation destinations in Europe, offering city walks, a rich museum and cultural program, unrivaled gastronomy, and picturesque miradouros (observation decks). Once you’ve been here at least once, it’s impossible to forget its azulejo tiled facades, delicious pastéis de nata, and the rumble of old trams. But few people plan a beach vacation near Lisbon along with walking around the ancient city.

The Lisbon Riviera (Costa De Lisboa) is a whole strip of fashionable resorts stretching from the mouth of the Tagus River to the north along the Atlantic coast. These beaches are not as popular as the beaches of the coast Algarve but are actually among the best in Europe.

It is a great place to relax in the summer when it is very hot in the city, and there is always somewhere to go to swim in the cool ocean water on wide sandy beaches or in hidden lagoons among huge rocks. This resort area is a good choice for those who want to combine a beachfront vacation with sightseeing in Lisbon.

When is it better to relax on the beaches of Lisbon

To be honest, there is something to do all year round and in any season on the beaches near Lisbon. My niece has been living there for a year now, and they spend every weekend on the beach with their child: they walk, have picnics, swim in the summer, and surf in the spring or fall.

But if your goal is to sunbathe and swim, the best time to do so is from May to the end of September. First, the weather is warmer: from +25 to +35℃. And the water temperature in the ocean is never higher than +18-20℃. So get ready for a very vigorous swim, but it’s still cool here.

Beaches near Almada and Trafaria

This part of Lisbon is located on the left bank of the Tagus River. But all the towns located here – Almada or Trafaria – are considered suburbs of the Portuguese capital. Here, the Costa da Caparica stretches from the Atlantic Ocean, along which there are many long sandy beaches.

The strip of sand stretches for twenty kilometers, there are landscaped areas, nudist beaches and deserted places. The most popular of them is Costa da Caparica.

It starts where the river mouth ends, so there are almost no big waves and you can swim without fear of being dragged into the ocean. Locals come here on weekends and vacations. There are more people where the river and the ferry, which gets here from the central part of Lisbon, are closer. The farther south you go, the fewer people there are – it’s easier to drive farther away to avoid the crowds.

Some of the beaches along this coast are even marked with the Blue Flag and quality medals, and many of them have conditions for beach and outdoor activities: umbrellas, toilets, cafes, and a lifeguard station.

The best beaches of the Costa da Caparica: Chapeu De Palha, Praia da Saúde, Praia da Mata, Praia do Castelo.

Hotels near the beaches of Costa da Caparica

How to get to the Costa da Caparica?

There are a few options for your travel to Costa da Caparica depending on the destination

The ferry from Belém to Porto Brandão, then the ferry to Trafaria (both passengers and cars can take the ferry), runs every half hour every day.
Ferry from Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas in the Almada district. Then take buses 124 and 135 Costa da Caparica – Casillas, then the ferry Casillas – Caixo do Sodre. There is a passenger ferry (for people), a railway station, a Flixbus bus station, and a tram stop near it from the Lisbon side.
Buses from Praça de Espanha: #153 and #161, which go across the April 24 Bridge.

Cascais and Estoril beaches

The two cities that lie beyond Lisbon are Cascais and Estoril on the north side beyond the point where the mouth of the Tagus River ends. These are fashionable resort suburbs with many beaches, ancient churches, parks, and a large number of restaurants and shops.

These cities and coasts will delight discerning tourists with their well-developed resort infrastructure and hotels with excellent service. It is very convenient to stay here for the night in hotels or apartments and to go to Lisbon by train, which runs from Lisbon to Cascais.

Praia da Conceição

It is the beach closest to the train station in Cascais, but it is the calm waters and beautiful scenery that really attract crowds of tourists and local youth.

It is also conveniently located close to the pedestrianized old town center and is the starting point of an uninterrupted promenade that runs past a number of other beaches. If you’re looking for quiet by the sea and plenty of room to spread out your towel, this beach is not for you. But this place is still good for walking along the coast, located near the center of Lisbon.

Praia de Carcavelos

There are other beaches even closer to the center of Lisbon, but this is the first one entirely on the Atlantic (the others before it mix the waters of the river and the sea). It is also the largest and currently the most popular among young tourists due to its sports facilities, where you can surf, play volleyball or beach soccer on the sand. It remains popular with locals, so expect crowds on weekends. During the official bathing season, you will also find massage counters and plenty of places to drink and eat.

Praia do Tamariz

In the mid-20th century, this Lisbon beach was the postcard of Lisbon, located across the street from Europe’s largest casino, overlooking the castle . It remains one of the most popular due to the numerous hotels nearby, as well as good amenities, beach bars, and location near the train station.

Accommodation in Cascais

Praia do Guincho

Praia do Guincho is located to the north and five minutes by car from Cascais. Northwest winds break the waters of the Atlantic against its golden sands. One of the best beaches in Lisbon for surfing, it also regularly hosts national and international windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions. There is a water sports equipment rental center, and Bar do Guincho – is a cool place to grab a drink and a party spot in the evening. Grab a glass of caipirinha and relax as the sun sets into the ocean.

Near it, behind a small promontory, there is another beach – Praia de Crismina, which is located on a huge dune, from which stairs descend to the beach. This beach has also been mastered by the Sepharahs – the strongest winds blow here from June to August, so there are huge waves, it’s hard to get into the ocean and then jump out before the wave catches up. A very beautiful place, there is a great seafood restaurant here – Mar do Guincho. In the evenings there are quite a few people here, you need to book a table.

Where to stay near Praia do Guincho

How to get to Cascais and Praia do Guincho beach?

There are trains from Lisbon to Cascais every 20 minutes. Namely, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get there from the Caixo do Sodre station. The bus station is located across the street from the train station in the Cascais Villa shopping center.

Two buses run on the Cascais – Guincho route: 405 and 415. It takes about 35 minutes to get to the beach, and you need to ask the driver to stop, so mark the spot on the map in advance.

Beaches near Sintra

Sintra is a former royal country residence with beautiful parks and palaces. Located 30 km from Lisbon on a wooded serpentine rocky hill. You need to come here for at least two days. And even then, you won’t have time to see all the beauty and sights. There are also several very beautiful and romantic beaches near Sintra, where you can sunbathe and even swim in a natural pool with ocean water.

Praia Ursa

The westernmost beach in Europe is located halfway between Sintra and Cascais, under the Cape of Cabo da Roca, which is the westernmost point of mainland Europe. You don’t have to be a hiker or climber to get to it, but it does require patience and effort as you have to follow a path down the cliff.

The sense of adventure and the magnificent natural scenery of the sea make this one of the most unforgettable and rewarding events on the Lisbon coast. It’s a stunningly beautiful and romantic place, and if its waves weren’t usually so fierce (and therefore prohibited from swimming), it would probably be one of Lisbon’s favorite beaches.

How to get to Praia Ursa?

From Cascais, it takes about 20 minutes by bus number 403 and 417. The bus goes to Cape Roca (Cabo da Roca), but you need to get off one stop earlier by asking the driver to stop near Ursa Beach. The road from Cascais to the beach is very steep. Upon exiting, you will see a small Ursa sign and a small parking lot. From there, it takes about 20 minutes to walk down the trail – you need to wear comfortable shoes. As soon as you see a cliff to go down to the water, choose the path on the left, if you go on the right path, turn your head.

Praia da Adraga

Adraga Beach is located in the north of Cape Roca, near Sintra, near the village of Almoçageme. The forested hills hide ancient castles and then descend to cliffs and sandy bays. Praia da Adraga is an undeveloped bay with a minimal number of people. It is a beautiful white beach with large cliffs overlooking it, with stormy waves, so beginner surfers and real daredevils swim here.

The beach is marked with the Blue Flag. There is only one cafe here – Restaurante da Adraga but it’s a great one with ocean views and fresh seafood. Order clams in white wine and visits this place at sunset when the sand glows like polished gold.

Accommodation near Adraga beach

How to get to Adraga beach?

To get to the beach, it is better to rent a car – public transportation does not go here. From Cascais or Cape Roca, you can take the 403 bus to the center of Almoçageme village, and from there walk to the beach.

Praia das Azenhas do Mar

Praia dos Azenhas do Mar is a 30-meter beach at the bottom of a fishing village, which is formed only at low tide under a high cliff. Entrance to the beach through the restaurant’s arch. Nearby is a stone pool with sea water. You can relax on the platform next to the pool. But the views of this beach from the neighboring observation deck are simply incredible!

How do I get to Praia do Azenas do Mar beach?

By buses 440 and 441 from Sintra train station (station). Travel time is 20-30 minutes.

Praia Grande

This is the largest beach on the coast of Sintra, with dinosaur tracks well preserved on its high cliffs. Located 12 km from Sintra, 20 km from Cascais and 46 km from Lisbon. This beach attracts mostly locals, young people who surf or drink in bars overlooking the sea, even outside the official swimming season.

Accommodation near Praia Grande

How to get to the Big Beach?

The beach is located 12 km from Sintra, 20 km from Cascais and 46 km from Lisbon. Bus 439 drops off passengers right next to Grande Beach. The bus leaves from the center of Sintra.

Praia do Magoito

Magoitou Beach is surrounded by fossilized fossils on which the wind has left deep furrows over the millennia that look like the back of a huge dragon. The wall of dunes is one of the geological monuments of the Sintra Cascais Natural Park, located along the main descent to the beach. The size of the beach is impressive – the sandy strip stretches for 800 meters.

The beach is well equipped with a cafe, rental, toilet, and lifeguard station. It is worth noting the large parking lots and gentle slopes that make the vacation accessible to all categories of tourists. This care is also explained by the fact that the water and air on Magoita Beach have a high concentration of iodine and are considered to be healing.

How to get to Magoita Beach?

Bus 444 will take you from Sintra Station to Magoito.

Getting to Lisbon

There are flights from Poland, Germany, Romania, Hungary and other European countries Ryanair and Wizz and Air to Lisbon (one-way tickets from 40 euros in winter).

Useful articles and links:

Find train tickets in Europe conveniently on Trainline
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com

Beaches near Lisbon – where to relax, walk and surfing

When is it better to relax on the beaches of Lisbon

Beaches near Almada and Trafaria