One thing I learned when I first visited a beach in Lisbon is that the water is freezing cold because it’s the Atlantic Ocean, so be ready for this.
When that’s said, the beaches in Lisbon are magnificent. You can stand in the city’s center, buy a coffee, take an Uber for 20 minutes, and then you’ll find yourself on the most gorgeous beach you’ve ever seen.
After visiting so many beaches, I’ve narrowed it down to the best beaches in Lisbon based on my experience, and I can’t wait to share them with you.
I like to make a day trip out of visiting the beach, but you can easily get there early in the morning and do something else in the afternoon.
1. Costa Da Caparica
My favorite beach in Lisbon is along Costa da Caparica, one of the longest beaches, stretching for 23 km. You can find incredible beach bars/restaurants, clothing stores, trendy hangouts, and the best nightlife here.
It is a great place to learn to surf with small waves, and you can also rent surfboards here. You can easily reach it using a ferry from Lisbon, or drive there in a rental or via Uber, around 20 minutes from Lisbon center. The beach is also lifeguard-observed.
Furthermore, there are some great restaurants, bars, and restrooms available. When you head further south, you reach Arriba Fossil Nature Reserve.
My favorite beach restaurant on Costa da Caparica is Pé Nú Beach Club. Their seafood platter is incredible, and the view of the Atlantic Ocean in the background is breathtaking.
There is also a lagoon further south in Costa da Caparica, Lagoa de Albufeira, and a traditional fishing village further north, Cova do Vapor.
A funny note on Cova do Vapor: the city was built illegally, but today, the Portuguese government just lets it be. You have to try to stroll through this city; it’s like stepping back in time. I went there once in a tuk-tuk.
2. Praia de Carcavelos Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Lisbon is Praia de Carcavelos. You get miles of golden sand and sea, surfing, and other activities.
It is one of those beautiful beaches made for experienced surfers. Offering prime waves, it is a popular spot during the summer months.
You can even learn how to surf here, as there are a lot of surfing schools in the area. There are kiosks to rent e-scooters, paddle boards, and bicycles.
If you are lucky, you can attend a pro beach volleyball tournament. Along the coast are beach bars, seafood joints, and more. You can easily reach it by train as the Carcavelos train station is a 15-minute walk from the beach.
3. Praia da Figueirinha Beach
Praia da Figueirinha is in the Arrábida Natural Park, a stunning natural area, only an hour’s drive from Lisbon.
The water is slightly warmer and shallower than at other beaches in Portugal. If you don’t plan to bring food, you can find restaurants nearby. It is also a family-friendly beach with beautiful white sand.
You can rent a lounger with beach umbrellas. I’m sure you and your kids will enjoy the turquoise waters and soft sand.
Tip: It is not very accessible by public transport, but you can rent a car and drive there; it takes about an hour.
4. Praia da Ribeira de Cascais Beach
Praia de Ribeira beach is in the middle of Cascais. It used to be a mini fishing beach.
While the boats are still there, the beach is now used by sunbathers to enjoy the shallow waters. It is the main beach in the area and is excellent to visit during the week in the summer months.
While you’re here, I recommend you explore Cascais town and stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants.
5. Praia da Ponta dos Corvos
Praia da Ponta dos Corvos is a river beach known by the locals as Praia dos Tesos. You can bathe here, but it is not the best place to swim.
It is excellent for relaxing in a quiet location. A main selling point for this beach is the stunning views of Lisbon.
Tip: You cannot access the beach using public transport, so I recommend renting a car.
6. Praia do Guincho Beach
You should visit Guincho Beach, about 4.5 miles northwest of Cascais, for a spectacular beach.
Here, you will find stunning beaches with dunes and white sands. It is an ideal spot for water sports, windsurfing, or kite surfing.
Just be aware that the beach doesn’t shelter well from winds, so it can become chilly, especially during the late hours. It also has strong currents with undertows, so be careful when playing in the waters.
It is also not a Blue Flag beach destination, making it a remote beach with fewer crowds and great for a romantic walk.
7. Praia da Conceição Beach
Praia da Conceição is a beach in Cascais with white sand, an upmarket atmosphere, a sheltered inlet, clean surf, and calm water.
Praia da Conceiçãobeach is a Blue Flag family-friendly place lined with beachfront cafes and restaurants to enjoy something to eat.
It is also the beginning of the seafront promenade, which extends over a mile. Walking along it and enjoying the small shops is a beautiful walk.
The flat layout makes it one of the most accessible beaches near Lisbon, which is known to be a hilly city.
8. Praia do Tamariz Beach
Just 30 minutes west of Lisbon on the Estoril shore, you find Praia do Tamariz. This golden sandy beach is perfect for surfing, water sports, restaurants, and shops.
You can spend days here exploring the many shops, restaurants, the promenade, fresh seafood, and souvenir shops.
If you’re up for it, I recommend you rent a canoe, take diving classes, enjoy the local nightlife, which includes weekly fireworks displays during the summer, or just relax for hours on the soft sand of the Atlantic Ocean waters.
9. Praia da Ursa
Praia da Ursa is northwest of Lisbon, and it’s one of the most remote beaches in Lisbon, as you have to drive on dirt roads and hike 1 km to reach it.
If you choose to do so, you’ll not only find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but you’ll also be where not many have been or are. So, if you like non-crowded beaches, this is perfect.
During low tide is the best time to experience Praia da Ursa’s beautiful beach. There are no clean-up crews, so please clean up after yourself.
Note: Praia da Ursa is a nudist beach, but you can still visit it in bathing suits.
Praia da Ursa is close to Sintra, with some great beaches to explore around this coastline.
10. Fonte da Telha Beach
Fonte da Telha is known as a traditional fishing village, but it also has a beautiful beach with soft golden sand and a crashing sea.
You can find beach bars and restaurants here, which is one of my favorite things about Portugal in general.
While the nightlife is not the wildest, it does continue into the wee hours of the morning. The best way to reach this coastline is by using the Transpraia railroad, a fun train along Costa da Caparica.
11. Praia dos Galapinhos Beach
Praia dos Galapinhos is a beautiful beach with stretches of sand, crystal-clear water, and relaxing surroundings.
Even with its unspoiled beauty, there are fewer crowds here. It is an excellent place for families to enjoy. You can bathe, splash, paddle, or cool off in the calm waters.
The beach has natural beauty with green hills and is an hour’s drive from Lisbon’s center.
12. Lagoa de Albufeira Beach
You might think, isn’t Albufeira in the Algarve? Yes, it is, but there is also a beach named Albufeira on the Costa da Caparica coast.
Lagoa de Albufeira has two beautiful lagoons with soft white sand, and it’s magnificent to experience.
You can watch the wildlife and even water sports. This is a hidden gem if you’re looking for a day trip from Lisbon.
There are well-traveled footpaths to walk, and you can see huge flocks of birds in the wetlands.
It is great for kitesurfing, surfing, or just enjoying the weather, and the best part is that you can reach it in 45 minutes from the city center.
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Wrap-Up
Lisbon has only one unofficial beach in the city, near the Tagus River in Chiado, but it’s not worth visiting.
Instead, you can take public transportation or an Uber to the nearest beach, but don’t worry. We’re talking about 20-30 min, and then you’re at a beautiful beach nearby.
My all-time favorite beach is Costa da Caparica; it’s beautiful, has restaurants along the beach, and you can rent chairs and an umbrella to relax.
One thing that’s super popular for Portuguese people to eat on the beach is a Bolo de Berlim, which is a fluffy cake filled with cream. It’s something unique I recommend you try.
You can, of course, also buy ice cream if you’re more into that.
I recommend renting a car if you want to visit some of the more unique beaches near Lisbon.
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