Check out the quick guide to the best beaches near Lisbon, with directions on how to get there and photos of the most beautiful beaches. We also indicate you the best beaches near Lisbon for surfing, windsurfing or kite surfing.
Lisbon is the European capital with the most spectacular beaches nearby!
Sand dunes on Guincho Praia Grande beach
Endlessly long, extremely wide, often natural or even wild Atlantic beaches are definitely some of the best beaches in Europe. All the coastline facing west offers you the perfect dreamlike sunsets melting with the ocean. It’s a truly romantic experience you’ll never forget. Lisbon is also one of the absolutely most sunny places in Europe, so get your swimming suit ready!
Moreover, Portugal is a paradise for surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers – and seeing hundreds of them in action is a real spectacle.
Where Are The Beaches Near Lisbon?
Visitors coming to Lisbon for the first time often assume that the city is located by the ocean. Not really! What you see on the map is the estuary of the Tagus (Tejo) river.
The good news is that there are numerous attractive beaches close to Lisbon. And it’s easy to get there – we will tell you exactly how.
Types of the Best Beaches Near Lisbon
Lagoa de Albufeira, Sesimbra
Here is a quick guide to choose the best Lisbon beaches for your needs:
- Large Truly Atlantic Beaches: Costa da Caparica (#1), Praia de São João da Caparica (#2)
- The Most Spectacular Beach & Lagoon: Lagoa de Albufeira (#3)
- The Closest Beaches from Lisbon: Praia de Carcavelos (#4), Praia de Tamariz (#5)
- Surfers’ and Kitesurfers’ Paradise: Guincho (#6) and Costa da Caparica (#1)
- Best holiday resort towns nearby Lisbon: Cascais, Estoril, Sesimbra
1. Costa da Caparica Beaches
The Widest Truly Atlantic Beaches
Costa da Caparica offers extremely pleasant beaches quite easy to get to.
Definitely a truly Atlantic experience nearest to Lisbon. It’s a 15 km-long strand of the beach divided by beautiful piers in between them. These beaches offer anything you want. Some are equipped with umbrellas and sun beds, others are fully free. On some you can play beach volley, but mostly – you can rent a surf board and hit the waves! Surfing is extremely popular in Portugal, with good conditions both for beginners and advanced surfers. We list some good options of surfing lessons on various beaches.
Highlights: Sunset, Bars & restaurants by the ocean, Surfers
How to get there
Express bus for just 5 EUR – Lisbon: Beach Shuttle Service
Bus TST 161 from Lisbon from the bus stop at Avenida Praça Manuel Da Nóbrega (Praça Do Areeiro – station of green metro line) to the bus stop Costa Da Caparica (Mercado).
From Costa da Caparica to Lisbon: Take the bus from the bus station in Avenida Dom Sebastião. It’s the main road along the edge of Costa da Caparica, with the the entrance to the station from Rua Padre Mario Lopes street.
2 buses every hour Monday-Sunday between 8:00-20:00.
Price of the ticket Lisbon-Caparica is €3.20 for a single ticket which is purchased directly from the driver.
Why You’ll Love It
- Crossing the 25 April Bridge with its breathtaking view of Lisbon from the height is a memorable experience!
- Along the beach there is a long promenade with a comfortable boardwalk, great for walking, rollerblades, running, cycling, or just sitting by the ocean.
- Lovely long stone piers perfect for a walk, for a great photo or for watching surfers from close-by. There are always hundreds of them and it is a really cool spectacle!
- It’s an excellent place to have a nice drink in one of numerous bars – again watching surfers or gazing at the ocean.
- In the evening it gives you the opportunity to have an unforgettable romantic dinner watching the beautiful sunset from one of many seafood restaurants.
Recommended Activities in Costa da Caparica
Lisbon Bodyboard Lessons in Costa da Caparica
Surfing and Yoga in Lisbon – Costa da Caparica
2. Praia de São João da Caparica
The Widest Truly Atlantic Beaches
Highlights: Wide and spacious, so usually not crowded, Sunset, Beautiful restaurants by the ocean
How to get there: By car (by public transport it’s rather complicated)
Why You’ll Love It
- Crossing the 25 April Bridge with its breathtaking view of Lisbon from the height is a memorable experience!
- This beautiful beach is definitely one of the best beaches near Lisbon. It is surrounded by nature: pretty sand dunes and a pine forest behind.
- It’s an excellent place to have a nice drink in one of comfortable chic bars with a view – watching windsurfers or just admiring the ocean.
- In the evening it gives you the opportunity to have an unforgettable romantic dinner watching the beautiful sunset from one of a few pretty restaurants.
3. Lagoa de Albufeira
The Most Spectacular Beach & Lagoon
Long, wide, wild beaches near the pretty town of Sesimbra.
Highlights: Perfectly beautiful lagoon with warm water, very rare in this part of Atlantic! It has an infinitely wide, wild beach with sand dunes and view at cliffs and a lighthouse. Absolutely stunning!
It’s an extremely romantic spot for a couple for a perfect quiet evening with the sunset.
How to get there: By car. This gem is not very easy to find and parking may be difficult, but it’s certainly worth the effort!
Why You’ll Love It
- Lagoa de Albufeira lagoon and its sandy “islands” constantly changing their shapes and sizes.
- The warmest water in this part of Portugal. The lagoon is very shallow (great for children), so it warms up quickly – it’s very pleasant to swim here.
- Perfect views of endless sand – it’s really impressive!
- There is a nice beach bar and two restaurants a bit closer to the lake for a nice dinner or drink.
Recommended trip to Sesimbra area (not to the lagoon)
Lisbon: Arrábida Natural Park and Sesimbra Day Trip
4. Carcavelos
The Closest Beaches from Lisbon
Carcavelos is a nice resort just out of Lisbon.
Very easy and quick arrival by frequent and cheap train, with pleasant small towns along the way.
Definitely recommended for a short beach getaway for just a few hours, with an easy return to the centre of Lisbon.
Highlights: Fort of São Julião da Barra – you can’t visit it (it’s owned by the Portuguese army), but it makes a beautiful background to the beach. And it will look great on your photos!
Things to do: 1.5 km of soft sand beach, surf rental, SUP (stand up paddle) rental, beach volley, many events throughout summer, restaurants, bars, cafes, nice promenade
How to get from Lisbon to Carcavelos
By train
Station: Lisbon, Cais do Sodré train station (a nice walk from Praça do Comércio or the last stop of the green metro line).
The frequent trains run every 15-20 mins from early morning till 1:30 in the night.
A journey to Carcavelos station will take only about 20 minutes.
Price of the ticket: super cheap, only €1.90 adult (€0.95 child) for a single ticket (return ticket €3.80 adult; €1.90 child)
The train ticket is charged to the reusable “Viva Viagem” card, used for all the public transport in Lisbon, plus initial cost for the card €0.50 (keep the card and reuse it).
Other options: 24-hour unlimited train ticket for €6.00 for the Sintra railway and travel from Carcavelos to Cascais
“Beach Pass”, 7-day unlimited ticket for the Lisbon-Cascais railway for €12. Available from the 20th May to the 30th September.
Why You’ll Love It
- The view from the train: a glimpse on the famous 25 April Bridge, Torre de Belem, the point where the estuary of the Tagus river meats the ocean. Then, a series of pretty historical towns with elegant villas and palaces and a very pretty lighthouse Bugio.
- Beach with a view at a fort (Carcavelos).
- Pleasant promenade to walk along the beaches.
- Nice bars to cool down.
What You Won’t Love…
- The crowds – these beaches are usually very crowded in the summer (as all the beaches along the Lisbon-Cascais train line).
Recommended Trips to Carcavelos
The Fortresses of Lisbon Boat Tour
Lisbon – Carcavelos Beach: 2-Hour Surf Lesson
Carcavelos from Lisbon: Guided Surfing Tour & Lessons
5. Praia de Tamariz – Estoril
The Closest Beaches from Lisbon
Highlights: Forte da Cruz – a charming medieval-style faux castle.
Things to do: Rockpool for kids, restaurants, bars, cafes, nice promenade, 15 mins walk along the ocean to beautiful town of Cascais.
How to get from Lisbon to Tamariz beach (Estoril)
By train
Station: Lisbon, Cais do Sodré train station (a nice walk from Praça do Comércio or the last stop of the green metro line).
The frequent trains run every 15-20 mins from early morning till 1:30 in the night.
A journey to Estoril station will take only about 25 minutes.
Price of the ticket: super cheap, only €2.25 for a single ticket, €4.50 return ticket.
The train ticket is charged to the reusable “Viva Viagem” card, used for all the public transport in Lisbon, plus initial cost for the card €0.50 (keep the card and reuse it).
Other options: 24-hour unlimited train ticket for €6.00 for the Sintra railway that lets you travel also from Estoril to beautiful resort of Cascais, well worth a visit.
“Beach Pass”, 7-day unlimited ticket for the Lisbon-Cascais railway for €12. Available from the 20th May to the 30th September.
Why You’ll Love It
- The view from the train: a glimpse on the famous 25 April Bridge, Torre de Belem, the point where the estuary of the Tagus river meats the ocean. Then, a series of pretty historical towns with elegant villas and palaces and a very pretty lighthouse Bugio.
- Beach with a view at a castle (Tamariz).
- Pleasant promenade to walk along the beaches.
- Nice bars to cool down.
What You Won’t Love…
- The crowds – these beaches are usually very crowded in the summer (as all the beaches along the Lisbon-Cascais train line).
Recommended Trip to Estoril
From Lisbon: Full-Day Queluz, Sintra, Cascais & Estoril Tour
6. Guincho (Praia Grande)
Surfers’, Kitesurfers’ and Windsurfers’ Paradise
Even if you are not into these sports, watching them is quite amazing!
Highlights: Wild beach, Romantic Sunset
How to get there: By car
Why You’ll Love It
- Scenic sand dunes, view at the cliffs, beauty of the surroundings. Guincho is considered one of the best beaches near Lisbon by many.
- A fascinating spectacle of surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers showing off their skills. Harsh ocean conditions of the bay are not for faint-hearted. Only advanced surfers have courage to hit the waves here!
- Perfect sunset by the ocean – it’s a very romantic spot for a couple.
- There is a surf/kitesurf/windsurf rental shop and a nice bar, so you can grab a bite or a drink with a perfect view.
Recommended Trip to Guincho
Guincho from Lisbon: Full-Day Group Lesson
General Tips about Beaches near Lisbon
Kitesurfing in Guincho Praia Grande
Water Temperature
Many people are surprised that the water in this part of the Atlantic ocean is always cold, including the summertime. The range of temperature is somewhere between cold, very cold and freezing, depending of the tides, so don’t expect too much. On average the water is around 18°C or less. A good idea is to invest in a wetsuit (you know, the “surfer’s suit” – you can find a good choice at reasonable prices for example in Decathlon in Lisbon). It will keep you isolated from the cold. For those of you planning on doing some water sport, it’s a must. It is also possible to rent a wetsuit from a surf rental service.
Best Period to Visit
The weather in Lisbon is mostly sunny throughout the year. If you plan sunbathing and spending time on the beach, visit Lisbon any time between May and (the end of) September. July and August are the most crowded months.
Don’t Take Risk with the Ocean!
Remember that the ocean is powerful: its waves can easily overthrow you, so be careful while swimming or surfing/windsurfing. Be aware of the underwater rocks and currents. If you are not a good swimmer, swim only on protected beaches.
I hope this guide will help you to make the most of your trip to Lisbon. Portuguese beaches are truly amazing!
Other Great Places to See the Ocean Near Lisbon
I highly recommend seeing Cabo da Roca – the westernmost tip of Europe. It’s a beautiful cliff with a lighthouse and an amazing view, especially by the sunset.
I also recommend the lovely town of Cascais. The town beach is very small, but it’s a pretty area to walk around. Go to the area of the (tiled!) lighthouse, there are restaurants and bars with amazing view close to it.
Lisbon: Full-Day Sintra, Roca Cape & Cascais Tour
Very good advices and well written. Will try it out.
Thanks a lot, I’m glad that you liked it! I’ve lived in Lisbon for almost a year, so I have plenty of advice from the insider’s perspective. There will be more articles on Lisbon soon.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.