The Best Beaches Near Lisbon (and How to Get There)

One of the best things about Lisbon is how close it is to the sea. Within an hour you can be on a golden town beach, a wild Atlantic cove under the cliffs or a turquoise bay in a natural park. Here are the best beaches near Lisbon, how to get there and which suit families, surfers and sun-seekers.

Quick answer: easiest by train: Carcavelos (25 minutes) and the beaches of Cascais. For wild beauty: Praia da Adraga and Praia da Ursa near Sintra. For miles of sand: Costa da Caparica. For calm turquoise water: Arrábida. Avoid swimming at Guincho unless you’re very confident: the currents are strong. The water is cool (about 19–22°C in August).

Which beach for you?

• No car, short on time: Carcavelos or the Cascais town beaches by train.
• Young children: the sheltered Cascais beaches, or the calm bays of Arrábida and Sesimbra.
• Surfing: Carcavelos for lessons, Guincho and Ericeira for experienced surfers.
• Space and long walks: Costa da Caparica, Meco and Comporta.
• Scenery: Adraga, Ursa and Azenhas do Mar on the Sintra coast.

The Cascais line (by train)

The train from Cais do Sodré follows the coast, with beaches at many stops. Trains are frequent and the full ride to Cascais takes about 40 minutes. Sit on the left-hand side heading out for sea views.

• Carcavelos: the biggest beach on the line, about 25 minutes from Lisbon. Great for surfing lessons and beach bars. Busy at weekends.
• Cascais town beaches: small, sheltered beaches right in town, like Praia da Rainha and Conceição. Calm and family-friendly. See our Cascais guide and where to stay in Cascais.
• Tip: a few Cascais beaches (Tamariz, Moitas and Poça) lost their Blue Flag in 2026, and it’s wise to check local notices before swimming after heavy rain.
• Works: the line between Caxias and Cascais is being upgraded in 2026, with replacement buses late in the evening and at some weekend times.

Sintra coast (by car or bus)

The beaches west of Sintra are wilder and more dramatic, with cliffs, rock arches and bigger waves. Driving is easiest, but buses run from Portela de Sintra station (not Sintra village station) to Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs and Magoito. Parking fills up early on summer weekends.

• Praia da Adraga: a stunning cove with cliffs, rock arches and a great fish restaurant. Blue Flag.
• Praia Grande: a big surf beach with dinosaur footprints on the cliff at one end, and a huge seawater pool. Blue Flag.
• Praia das Maçãs and Azenhas do Mar: pretty village beaches, with a natural pool at Azenhas. See Azenhas do Mar.
• Praia da Ursa: wild, dramatic rock stacks below Cabo da Roca, reached by a steep, rough path. Only go in good weather, and not with small children. See Sintra’s best photo spots.

You can pair Ursa with a stop at Cabo da Roca. The clifftop is free to visit, and buses 1624 (Cascais to Portela de Sintra station) and 1253 (a Sintra circular) stop there. See Cabo da Roca.

Guincho

A huge, beautiful beach of dunes and wind near Cascais, popular with surfers and kitesurfers. It’s often very windy and the currents are dangerous, so it’s better for a walk than a swim. MobiCascais town buses (lines 5 and 15) run from Cascais station in about 25 minutes, or you can cycle along the coast road. See surfing in Portugal.

Costa da Caparica

Miles of sandy beach just across the river, with beach bars all along. The further south you go, the quieter it gets, all the way to Fonte da Telha. Getting there: bus 3710 runs direct from Areeiro in Lisbon (about an hour, every 15 to 30 minutes), or take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then a bus. In July and August, extra seasonal “Linhas Mar” buses also run to the beaches. The little beach train (Transpraia) is not running in 2026. Almada’s beaches had 10 Blue Flags this year. Places to stay in Costa da Caparica.

Arrábida and Setúbal

Calm, clear, turquoise water under green hills, about 45 minutes south. Galapinhos, Portinho da Arrábida and Creiro are the stars. The coast road between the Figueirinha tunnel and Galapos has been closed since February 2023 after rockfalls, so there’s no shore drive from Setúbal. From 4 June to 15 September 2026, the Arrábida Sem Carros scheme bans private cars from the beach roads from 7am to 8pm. Buses take over: 4470 from Setúbal via Azeitão to Creiro, 4474 from Alegro Setúbal to Figueirinha, and the 4477 shuttle between Creiro and Galapos. Park free at Alegro Setúbal or Azeitão market. See Setúbal and Arrábida.

Further afield

• Praia do Meco: a big, wild beach near Sesimbra.
• Sesimbra: a fishing town with a calm bay beach and great grilled fish. See our Sesimbra day trip.
• Ericeira: surf town about 45 minutes north. See our Ericeira day trip.
• Comporta: chic, wild beaches about 1h30 south, popular with Lisbon’s fashionable crowd.

When to go

The beach season runs from about June to September, with lifeguards on duty. July and August are the warmest and busiest. June and September are often the best months: still warm, with emptier sand. On the Atlantic beaches, a morning fog sometimes rolls in and clears by lunchtime. The water stays cool all year, so expect a bracing first dip.

Beach food

Most beaches have a beach bar or a restaurant close by. Look for grilled sardines and fresh fish in Sesimbra and Costa da Caparica, and a cold imperial (small draught beer). Many locals bring a picnic. Popular beach restaurants get very busy at weekend lunchtimes, so book ahead or eat early.

Tips

• Swim at lifeguarded beaches (usually June to mid-September) and respect the flags.
• Go early on summer weekends: trains, roads and car parks get very busy.
• Bring a windbreak for the Atlantic beaches.
• Sun protection: the breeze hides how strong the sun is.
• Public transport: a Navegante card works on the trains, ferries and Carris Metropolitana buses. Check fares before you travel.

FAQ

What is the easiest beach to reach from Lisbon without a car?

Carcavelos, about 25 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré, with the beach a short walk from the station.

Can you drive to the Arrábida beaches in summer?

Not by day. From June to mid-September, private cars are kept off the beach roads from 7am to 8pm, so park at Setúbal or Azeitão and take the bus.

Is the sea warm enough to swim near Lisbon?

Yes in summer, but it’s cool: about 19–22°C in August. The sheltered bays of Arrábida and Sesimbra are the most comfortable.

More: the best day trips from Lisbon and Lisbon with kids.

From our sister blog: 20 things to do in Cascais, a couple’s guide on Sunset Travellers.

See also: the best beaches near Cascais, Carcavelos, Costa da Caparica, the best beaches near Sintra and the Arrábida beaches.

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