Guide to Lisbon's Beaches

Lisbon is surrounded by a selection of stunning beaches which range from wide expanse of sand to small sandy bays surrounded by rocky cliffs. The resorts and towns which front the beaches vary widely in the level of development; from purpose built beach front towns to much smaller and personnel resorts. A tourist to Lisbon who is want a relaxing beach holiday will discover plenty of first-rate beaches within a short distance of Lisbon. A beach holiday based in Lisbon will have the added advantages of all that the capital can offer. For a Guide to Cascais Beaches please click here.

Lisbon is located on the estuary of the River Tejo and there are no actual beaches within walking or cycling distance all of the beaches that surround Lisbon are reached by public transport. The journey times are short and inexpensive and the services are reliable and continue well into the evening. Have a rental car makes the journeys even easier and there is plenty of parking which is usually free. The Portuguese word for beach is Praia.

The easiest and most accessible of Lisbon’s beaches are to the west of Lisbon; between Caxias and Cascais. There is a punctual train service between Lisbon and Cascais, with stations at each of the major beach towns. The beaches along this coast vary from the sandy expanses of Carcavelos to the jagged Atlantic facing cliffs west of Cascais. Here is a summary of the beaches heading west from Lisbon towards Cascais.

Caxias Beach

Best beach for: when there is a medium to strong wind blowing in Lisbon

Caxias Beach The first beach reached when traveling from Lisbon. Caxias is a smaller beach and is less popular so space can be often found during the height of the summer season. There are a number of small snack bars and restaurants along the beach front which are perfect for lunch. The main advantage of Caxias Beach is that as it faces slightly eastwards it is not exposed to the common westerly wind which blows across all other beaches along this coast. Due to the close proximity of the Tejo Estuary the sea tends to be a few degrees warmer than the other beaches but it is still always cold.

Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras

Best beach for: Largest Beach Accessible by Public Transport

Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras is the second major beach which is from Lisbon. This is the largest of the sandy beaches which is easily accessible by train – Carcavelos is much larger but there is a significant walk from the train station. Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras has plenty of golden sand and is a bay beach between two head lands. The sea around Oeiras had the reputation of healing properties and was popular with visitors during the 19th century.

Carcavelos Beach

Best beach for: Water Sports Junkies

Carcavelos beach is the longest widest and most popular in the summer months; if you want an expanse of golden sand which is shared with Portuguese families and young adults this is the beach for you. The major drawback is that the beach is quiet a distance from the train station and is best reached by car. To the east of Carcavelos beach there is a large fortification named Forte de São Julião da Barra which once protected the Tejo estuary.

The Carcavelos beach faces slightly more westerly than the previous two beaches and is hit by the giant Atlantic waves making the beach very popular with surfers. These waves are also suitable for boogie boards but there can be very strong under currents so only surf or swim within the designated areas. There are plenty of snack bars and cafes to hang out once either the sun gets to hot or exhaustion from the playing in the sea.

Cascais and Estoril Beaches

Best beach for: Tourist who want culture, sights and a beach

Cascais and Estoril Beaches the beaches between the two towns of Cascais and Estoril are small bays with golden sand which during high tide become quiet small. The real draw is the atmosphere of the two resort towns Cascais has a reputation for wealth and luxury and is regarded as the Hollywood of Portugal. To read further about Cascais Beaches click here