For most people, a trip to Lisbon is a simple city break. But you should know that if you visit this magnificent city, you can get to different beaches very quickly.
Portugal is known for its vast stretches of sand and sublime waters, making it an ideal place for surfers. While the country’s capital is packed with places to catch a wave and surf, Lisbon is also home to several small bays for those wishing to relax from a simple swim on their next trip. Whether you’re looking for a quiet bay to relax in, or a large wild space with no one around, here are the Lisbon beaches worth visiting on your next trip.
Lisbon beach: take on the waves at Guincho beach, between Sintra and Cascais
Guincho beach is a wild stretch of sand and rock on the coast between Sintra and Cascais, right at the foot of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. James Bond fans may recognize it from the film “Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969), where 007 rescues a drowning woman. High waves from the Atlantic make Guincho a difficult place to swim (unless you fancy a bathing suit full of sand).
On the other hand, the high swells make it an excellent place for water sports, especially in winter when the waves are at their strongest. Sign up for surfing, bodyboarding or, if you’re not afraid of the cold, kitesurfing lessons at one of the local schools, or rent a board and hit the line up!
The beach is a 30-minute drive from Lisbon. Alternatively, you can take the train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station to the Cascais stop, about 30 minutes away. Once in Cascais, take one of the two buses that leave from the nearby Cascais Villa shopping center, which takes 25 minutes. During the day, there are regular buses at least every hour.
Among lisbon’s most beautiful beaches: Costa da Caparica
Just 30 minutes from the center of Lisbon lies the stunning white sandy expanse of Caparica. This seaside town is one of Lisbon’s quietest districts. For this reason, it’s very popular with locals and can be very busy at weekends during the summer months.
Stretching for almost 10 km, Caparica offers plenty of places to relax for a day. Many choose to base themselves near one of the beach bars along the coast, which cater as much to beachgoers as to those looking to sip cocktails. Others come late to soak up the party atmosphere at sunset.
The further away you are from the town of Caparica, the more sparsely populated the beaches, so think about what you’re looking for before you visit. It’s worth noting that the waves here are particularly strong, making it an ideal beach for surfing. But if you’re planning to swim, it’s best to do so where lifeguards will be keeping an eye on you.
Getting there: if you opt for public transport, buses run from Lisbon to Caparica in around 30 minutes. By car or cab, the beach is a 30-minute drive from the city center.
Carcavelos Beach / Praia de Carcavelos
Carcavelos is a lively beach that comes into its own during the summer months. You may struggle to find a place to put your towel down. Be prepared to be surrounded by bathers, families, surfers and throngs of tourists.
There’s something nostalgic about this beach, as it almost resembles a British pier, but with a lot more sunshine. So you can expect to find cafés serving classic seaside fare (with plenty of sardines), locals playing boules on the sand and couples strolling along the shore. It’s this charm, and the soft, soft sand, that make Carcavelos such a little gem.
Getting there: trains leave from Lisbon’s main station, Cais do Sodré, and run throughout the day. Alternatively, you can drive from the city center in around 40 minutes.
Praia da Figueirinha
Figueirinha is the largest beach in the Arrábida Natural Park, a beautiful natural region about an hour’s drive from Lisbon. It’s also the easiest to reach from the nearby town of Setúbal thanks to a useful bus service, which makes this beach extremely popular with locals. It’s known to be slightly warmer than other nearby beaches thanks to its shallow waters. The months of May and June, when Portuguese waters tend to be cooler, are therefore the ideal time to visit. There are restaurants nearby, but the beach isn’t as busy as others, so pack snacks.
Getting there: the beach isn’t particularly accessible by public transport from Lisbon, but if you drive there, it’s about an hour and ten minutes from the center.
Praia da Adraga, the most popular beach with locals
Just around the corner from Praia Grande is Praia da Adraga, another local favorite. This small sandy cove is backed by high cliffs and a deep valley that slopes down to the beach. The beach is generally quieter than the region’s better-known ones, and is mostly the preserve of locals. However, it can be very busy at weekends, so parking spaces are scarce.
Adraga is a rather wild place, located a few kilometers north of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Jagged rock formations lie just offshore, and the beach itself is home to various caves and tunnels that invite exploration. Despite its wild character, Adraga has its own facilities, including a restaurant. This fabulous spot is only a 35-minute drive from Lisbon!
