The best beaches near Lisbon

When you think of European capitals, unspoiled beaches are not the first thing that comes to mind. Lisbon, however, is different. Sitting on the western tip of the continent, with hot and sunny weather most of the year, the city is blessed with dozens of beaches within easy reach of the city center.

Being on the Atlantic coast is a blessing and a curse for Lisbon sun lovers. On the bright side, crashing waves bring golden sand to most of the city’s beaches, rather than the pebbles and rocks that dominate most Mediterranean shores.

On the downside, the water is surprisingly cold, even in the height of summer. If you want to find a place for yourself on a busy weekend in August, the best place is probably a few meters from the coast!

Regardless, with so many sand options to choose from, it’s not always easy to choose the best one. We have selected four of the best beaches near the city, each of which has its own “something special” that makes it stand out to locals and visitors alike.

None of them are more than an hour from anywhere you are likely to stay in Lisbon.

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Cascais

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Once a small fishing village, Cascais has been transformed in recent decades to become a tourist destination in its own right.

On summer weekends, the half-hour train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre station is packed with tourists and Lisboetas alike, all looking for a piece of sand on one of Cascais’ small, sheltered beaches.

So if you can schedule your visit for a weekday or during the city’s long spring and fall seasons, you’ll have a lot more room to breathe. It’s also worth buying your train ticket in advance if you can, as the lines at the machines can be long on those warm summer mornings.

Closer to the main square and the historical part of Cascais is the small Praia da Ribeira. It’s also known as Fisherman’s Beach, and you’ll likely see several small boats coming and going on the sand. It is quiet and safe for children, although the quality of the water is not surprising due to that commercial activity.

The largest beaches are just to the east, and it’s easiest to find a place to put your towel at Praia da Conceição and Praia do Duquesa. Joined at low tide, these two stretches of sand offer the classic Cascais beach experience.

If even those are too busy for your liking, keep heading east along the boardwalk as several other small beaches are within a reasonable distance.

When you get tired of the time in the sun, be sure to visit the famous Gelados Santini before hopping on the train back to the city. This little shop has been producing amazing ice cream for over sixty years and it is worth the inevitable wait in line.

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Guincho Beach

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If Cascais is too crowded, or if you are looking for more strenuous water activities than padding in the shallow waters, rent a bike or hop on a bus or taxi from Cascais and head a few more miles along the coast.

Whether you’re following the scenic N247 or passing the shorter inland route, you’ll soon find yourself looking out over Praia do Guincho, and you’ll likely be hit by the strong winds that dominate this part of the coast.

There is not much shelter on the beach, so if the breeze is particularly strong, bathers can choose a different location. Powerful rip currents can also make swimming dangerous, so pay attention to flags and lifeguards if you plan to enter the ocean.

Instead, this beach is a prime spot for surfers and, when the winds blow across the bay in summer, so are kite surfers. Equipment rentals and lessons are relatively inexpensive, with a few different stores to choose from.

Once you’re done, some of the best seafood in this part of the country lurks at nearby restaurants, including Fortaleza do Guincho, one of several restaurants in the Lisbon area that will receive a Michelin star. Like many other parts of the word, if you are on a budget, you will pay less once you get away from the water.

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Cresmina beach

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+351 915 225 592

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Separated from Praia do Guincho by a rocky promontory, the much smaller Praia do Cresmina doesn’t look much like the road.

However, descend the steps and find a spot next to the cliffs, and you will be rewarded with a quieter and more sheltered beach experience than your breezy neighbor offers.

The beach is divided by a small outcrop, and you will get the most protection in the small northern section between the Hotel Fortaleza and the Restaurant Mar do Guincho. However, there are no amenities there, so if you’re looking for beach cafes and umbrellas, pick a spot in the longer southern section.

There is a kite surf school and easy access to some restaurants if you don’t bring your own picnic. On those long summer afternoons in Lisbon, Praia do Cresmina is the perfect place to spend a few hours. Pack a bottle of wine, some snacks, and a good book, and voila!

Once you’re done, taxis run up and down the beachside road quite frequently during the day, but you may have to wait a while before an empty one passes. If you don’t have your own transportation and don’t want to risk waiting forever for a ride back to the train station, it’s also worth keeping the Uber app installed on your phone.

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Costa Caparica

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Costa Caparica should be much more popular with international tourists than it is. Starting on the south side of the Tagus River, it is the longest stretch of sand in Portugal, the best part of twenty miles from end to end.

It’s easy to get to, with ferries and express buses leaving from the city center, and it’s much less crowded in summer than any of the beaches between Lisbon and Cascais.

Despite this, international tourists are relatively rare in Costa Caparica. You will find many more locals or visitors from other parts of Portugal sunbathing on this part of the coast, especially on weekends.

The busiest part of the beach is next to the town of the same name. It has plenty of bars, cafes, and restaurants, but is otherwise a relatively charmless affair unless you’re in the mood for souvenir shopping. However, walk along the boardwalk and the crowds will diminish quickly.

Drive south a few miles (or take the little train that runs alongside the beach in summer), and the buildings are almost entirely gone, replaced by eucalyptus forests. Here you will also find the gay and nudist areas, but it is easy to find a large stretch of sand all to yourself. If you prefer to sunbathe in isolation, this is your place.

For those who want to be closer to the city, it is worth strolling along the promenade to visit the bars and restaurants next to the beach. Find an outdoor table, order a chilled vinho verde or sangria, and watch the waves crash in front of you as seagulls roll overhead. There are also good and inexpensive seafood restaurants and other dining options just a few blocks from the beach.

It is easy to spend a pleasant day strolling among the beaches, bars and restaurants of Costa Caparica. However, traffic leaving the area can be busy at dusk, so take your ferry, bus, or taxi back to Lisbon earlier in the afternoon or plan a quiet dinner near the beach and wait until night has fallen. well before heading. back on the bridge.