In a nutshell
- Lisbon is the perfect destination to combine a beach break with sightseeing, as there are many beautiful beaches near Lisbon.
- The best beach close to Lisbon is Praia de Carcavelos. If you are looking for beaches in the middle of nature, Praia da Ursa, Galapinhos and Praia do Guincho are great for you.
- In this article, we present the 6 most beautiful beaches near Lisbon, tell you how to get there and show you the best places to stay near the beaches.
Map of the Best Beaches near Lisbon
To give you a better idea of where to find the best spots, we’ve marked all the beaches on this map.
Carcavelos: Beautiful Beach Close to Lisbon
Praia de Carcavelos is the most convenient beach to get to from Lisbon’s city center. Even though it’s right on the doorstep, it’s a surprisingly beautiful stretch of sand!
It’s perfect if you want to check off some top attractions in Lisbon in the morning and spend the rest of your afternoon soaking up the sun.
The beach is about 1.5 kilometers long and very wide, so there’s always plenty of room to roll out your towel on the soft sand.
Since it’s quite open, it can get windy, which creates some great waves for surfers throughout the year. It’s actually one of the best spots for beginners to catch their first wave, and you can easily book surfing lessons right on-site—definitely one of the more fun things to do in Lisbon.
Book a surfing lesson in Carcavelos
How to get to Carcavelos from Lisbon
Head to Cais do Sodré station and hop on the train toward Cascais. Get off at the Carcavelos stop—the ride takes about 20 minutes. From there, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the water.
Cais do Sodré is located right on the Tagus River, just below Bairro Alto. You can get there via the Linha Verde (green line) on the Metro or by walking from the city center.
Where to stay at Carcavelos beach
The ABLA Guest House is just a six-minute walk from the sand and features cozy rooms and a quiet garden with an outdoor pool.
Praia do Tamariz: Sheltered Beach near Cascais
Praia do Tamariz is located just a stone’s throw from the charming town of Cascais, which is a fantastic day trip destination from Lisbon.
This is a great choice if you’re visiting Lisbon with kids. Because the beach is tucked away in a bay, it’s well-sheltered from the wind and the water is much calmer. Just keep in mind that the beach is fairly small, so it can get pretty packed during the peak summer months.
The best part? It’s only a five-minute walk from the train station.
How to get to Praia do Tamariz from Lisbon
Take the train from Cais do Sodré (the same one that goes to Carcavelos) and stay on for about 40 minutes until you reach the Estoril station. From the platform, it’s a quick five-minute stroll to the beach.
Where to stay at Praia do Tamariz
For a bit of luxury, the InterContinental Cascais-Estoril is just minutes from the beach and offers stunning ocean views, a gorgeous pool, and very spacious rooms.
Guincho Beach: Lisbon's Surfer Paradise
This bay is a windsurfing hotspot when the wind picks up and the water stays relatively flat. However, when the swell is high, it becomes a playground for experienced surfers. It’s definitely not the best spot for beginners!
Located northwest of Cascais, Praia do Guincho is a stunning, rugged beach framed by the Sintra mountains.
Because of the strong winds, it’s not the most relaxing place to lie out for the day, but it’s perfect for landscape photography or a long walk to experience the raw power of the Atlantic.
How to get to Praia do Guincho from Lisbon
Take the train from Cais do Sodré to the very last stop in Cascais (about 40 minutes). From there, hop on the M15 or M05 bus for a 25-minute ride to the Praia do Guincho stop.
Where to stay at Praia do Guincho
The 5-star Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho Relais & Châteaux sits right on the edge of the cliffs and features a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Ursa Beach: Between Dramatic Cliffs
Tucked away between massive cliffs west of Sintra, this beach is a true insider tip as very few tourists actually make the trip here.
You’ll definitely need sturdy shoes to navigate the steep path down to the sand—and a bit of stamina for the hike back up—but the adventure is 100% worth it.
Since the beach is so secluded, you’ll have plenty of space to enjoy the peace and quiet and photograph the iconic rock formations.
Good to know: If the hike down feels like too much, you can still get some incredible shots of the cliffs from the viewpoints above.
How to get to Praia da Ursa from Lisbon
Take the train to Cascais (approx. 40 minutes) and then catch the 1624 bus to the Azoia – Chafariz stop (another 30 minutes). Alternatively, take the train from Rossio to Sintra (30 minutes) and take the 1624 or 1253 bus to the same stop.
From Azoia – Chafariz, it’s about a 40-minute hike to reach the beach.
Since it’s a bit of a journey, we recommend combining your visit with a trip to Sintra or Cascais and staying overnight in the area.
Where to stay at Praia da Ursa
The Chalet Saudade in Sintra is just steps away from the bus station. The rooms are beautifully decorated, and the breakfast is legendary.
Costa da Caparica: Local's Beach in Lisbon
On the south side of the Tagus River, near the Cristo Rei statue, lies the 26-kilometer Costa da Caparica, home to several fantastic sandy beaches.
The further away you get from the main town, the quieter it becomes. These beaches are where the locals go to escape the city—a real Lisbon secret.
It’s often breezy here, making it a prime spot for surfing.
How to get to Costa da Caparica from Lisbon
The easiest way is to catch a bus to Alcântara – Av. 24 Julho and then transfer to a bus heading to Costa da Caparica. There are several different routes, so it’s best to check Google Maps for the quickest connection. The whole trip takes about an hour.
Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and hop on a bus from there. This also takes about an hour and is a much more scenic journey.
There are various stops along the coast, and most are just a short walk from the water.
Where to stay at Costa da Caparica
If you’re looking for a stylish base, check out Quinta Tagus. It’s located between the coast and the Cristo Rei statue, offering one of the most breathtaking views of the Lisbon skyline.
Galapinhos: Crystal Clear Water in a Peaceful Natural Landscape
Last but certainly not least is a beach that isn’t just one of the best in Portugal, but was actually voted the best beach in Europe back in 2017: Galapinhos.
You’ll find it south of Lisbon near Setúbal, tucked inside the Arrábida Natural Park.
Because Galapinhos is nestled in a cove, the water is incredibly calm and crystal clear, which makes it a dream for snorkeling.
The only downside: it’s quite difficult to reach if you don’t have your own wheels.
How to get to Galapinhos beach from Lisbon
From Rossio, take the train toward Sintra and get off at Campolide (just a 3-minute ride). From there, switch to the train heading to Setúbal (about 50 minutes).
Once in Setúbal, you can take a local bus to Praia da Figueirinha, followed by a 30-minute walk.
Honestly, it’s much faster and easier if you have a rental car.
Where to stay at Galapinhos
We recommend staying at least one night in Setúbal. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the beach and explore the rest of Arrábida Natural Park. The Rio Art Hotel is a great choice right by the water in Setúbal.
Everything You Need to Know about the Beaches in Lisbon
Now that you’ve seen the best spots, here are a few practical tips to help you plan your perfect Lisbon beach day.
Swimming at the beaches near Lisbon: Water temperature
One thing to keep in mind: the Atlantic near Lisbon is pretty chilly. It’s incredibly refreshing for a quick dip, but unless you’re used to cold water, you probably won’t be staying in for long.
The warmest months are August and September, but even then, the water only reaches about 19°C. The year-round average is 17°C, and in winter, it can drop down to 14°C.
How to get to Lisbon’s beaches
The beaches closest to the city are very easy to reach using public transport. Getting to the more secluded, natural beaches further out is a bit more of a mission, but it’s definitely doable with a little planning.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
If you’re still looking for the perfect base for your Lisbon trip, take a look at our detailed hotel guides.