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).

The Cascais line (by train)

The train from Cais do Sodré follows the coast, with beaches at many stops.

• 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.

Sintra coast (by car or bus)

• 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.
• 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.

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. 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: a direct Carris Metropolitana bus from Areeiro in Lisbon (about 55 minutes) or the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then a bus. 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. In summer, cars are restricted on the beach road and shuttle buses run instead. 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.
• 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.

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.

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.

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