Lisbon Beaches: The 6 Most Beautiful Beaches near Lisbon

Map of the Best Beaches near Lisbon

To give you a better idea of where the beaches near Lisbon are located, we’ve marked them all on a map.

Carcavelos: Beautiful Beach Right Near Lisbon's Center

Praia de Carcavelos is the closest major beach to Lisbon’s center — and honestly, for how close it is to the city, it’s really beautiful.

You can spend the morning exploring the highlights of Lisbon and hit the beach in the afternoon. Perfect if you’re on a short trip to Lisbon.

The beach stretches about 1.5 kilometers and is very wide, so you’ll have no trouble finding a good spot on the soft sand.

That said, it tends to be quite windy — there’s not much shelter here.

The waves attract surfers year-round, and Carcavelos is actually a fantastic spot for beginners. You can even book a surf lesson right there on the beach.

Book a Surf Lesson in Carcavelos
How to Get to Carcavelos

From Cais do Sodré station, take the train toward Cascais and get off at Carcavelos. The journey takes about 20 minutes, then it’s roughly a 15-minute walk to the beach.

Our Hotel Recommendation in Carcavelos

The ABLA Guest House is just a six-minute walk from the beach and offers cozy rooms plus a lovely garden with an outdoor pool.

Praia do Tamariz: Sheltered Beach near Cascais

Just before the charming little town of Cascais — a popular day trip from Lisbon — you’ll find Praia do Tamariz.

This is a great pick if you’re visiting Lisbon with kids. The beach sits tucked into a sheltered bay, so the water is much calmer and there’s barely any wind. It’s also just a five-minute walk from the train station.

The one downside: Praia do Tamariz is fairly small and fills up fast during peak summer.

How to Get to Praia do Tamariz

Take the same train from Cais do Sodré as for Carcavelos and get off in Estoril after about 40 minutes. From there it’s just under a five-minute walk to the beach.

Our Hotel Recommendation near Praia do Tamariz

A few minutes’ walk from the beach is the luxury hotel InterContinental Cascais-Estoril. You get sensational sea views, a beautiful pool, and spacious rooms.

Praia do Guincho: Lisbon's Surfer's Paradise

For water sports enthusiasts, Praia do Guincho is seriously special. When the winds are strong but the waves stay manageable, the bay is ideal for windsurfing. When the swells pick up, experienced surfers will have an absolute blast. Beginners, though — this one’s not for you.

Praia do Guincho sits northwest of Cascais and is a stunning, unspoiled stretch of beach with the mountains of Sintra rising dramatically in the background.

Because of the strong winds, it’s not the best spot for a lazy beach day. But it’s perfect for a scenic walk, and you’ll get some incredible landscape photos.

How to Get to Praia do Guincho

From Cais do Sodré, take the train to Cascais all the way to the end of the line (about 40 minutes). There, hop on Bus M15 or M05 and ride about 25 minutes to the Praia do Guincho stop.

Our Hotel Recommendation near Praia do Guincho

The 5-star boutique hotel Fortaleza do Guincho Relais & Châteaux sits right on the beach — and its restaurant has earned a Michelin star.

Praia da Ursa: Among Dramatic Sea Cliffs

Praia da Ursa hides between dramatic cliffs west of Sintra. It’s a real under-the-radar spot near Lisbon — not many tourists make the effort to get here.

You’ll need sturdy footwear for the descent, and a bit of stamina for the climb back up. But the little adventure is absolutely worth it. With so few visitors making it down, you’ll have real peace and quiet — plus the rock formations make for some seriously dramatic photos.

By the way: If the hike down seems too much, you can still get great shots of the cliffs from the top.

How to Get to Praia da Ursa

Take the train to Cascais all the way to the end of the line (about 40 minutes). There, take Bus 1624 to the Azoia – Chafariz stop (about 30 minutes). Alternatively, take the train from Rossio to Sintra (about 30 minutes) and from there take bus line 1624 or 1253 to the same stop.

From Azoia – Chafariz, it’s still a good 40-minute walk to Praia da Ursa.

As you can see, getting there takes some planning. We’d suggest combining the beach visit with a day trip to Sintra or Cascais and spending the night nearby.

Our Hotel Recommendation near Praia da Ursa

Right in Sintra and just a few steps from the bus station is the Chalet Saudade. The rooms are lovingly decorated and the breakfast is world-class.

Costa da Caparica: The Locals' Beach in Lisbon

On the other side of the Tagus — near the Cristo Rei statue — the western section of the coast stretches for 26 kilometers: the Costa da Caparica. It takes in several gorgeous sandy beaches.

The farther you get from Lisbon, the fewer tourists you’ll find. Overall, this is where you’ll encounter more locals than at the beaches closer to the city.

The conditions here tend to be windy, making it ideal for surfing — water sports are one of the most popular activities in Lisbon.

How to Get to Costa da Caparica

One option is to take the bus to Alcântara – Av. 24 Julho and transfer there to a bus heading to Costa da Caparica. There are several lines — Google Maps will show you the best connection. The total journey takes about an hour.

You can also take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and transfer to a bus there. Either way, you’re looking at roughly an hour of travel.

There are several bus stops along the coast, all just a few minutes’ walk from the beach.

Our Hotel Recommendation for Costa da Caparica
Quinta Tagus is a great base for a beach vacation combined with sightseeing in Lisbon. The hotel sits between Costa da Caparica and the Cristo Rei statue and offers stunning views over the city.

Galapinhos: Crystal-Clear Water in a Tranquil Natural Setting

We’ve saved a special one for last. Galapinhos is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal — it was also named Best Beach in Europe by the European Best Destinations portal in 2017.

This beach near Lisbon lies south of the city, close to the town of Setúbal in the Arrábida Nature Park. Tucked into a sheltered bay, the water here is usually calm and crystal clear — perfect for snorkeling.

The one catch: without a car, getting to Galapinhos takes some effort.

How to Get to Galapinhos Beach

From Rossio, take the train to Sintra and get off at Campolide after about three minutes. There, switch to the train toward Setúbal (about 50 minutes).

Get off at Setúbal station and take a bus to Praia da Figueirinha. From there it’s about a half-hour walk.

Honestly, a rental car makes this a lot easier and faster.

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Our Hotel Recommendation for Galapinhos

We recommend spending at least one night in Setúbal — it gives you time to fully enjoy the beach and explore the beautiful Arrábida Nature Park. Our pick is the Rio Art Hotel, right on the waterfront in Setúbal.

General Info and Tips for a Beach Vacation in Lisbon

Now you know the most beautiful beaches around Lisbon. Here are a few practical things to keep in mind so you’re fully prepared.

Swimming near Lisbon: Water Temperature

Be prepared for the ocean near Lisbon to be quite cold. It’s wonderfully refreshing for a quick dip, but long swims are usually out of the question on Portugal’s west coast.

The water is warmest in August and September at around 19°C (66°F). The annual average sits at 17°C (63°F), and in winter it drops to around 14°C (57°F).

Getting to Lisbon’s Beaches by Public Transit

Reaching the beaches close to the city by public transit is super easy. For beaches farther out in nature, it takes a little more planning — but it’s totally doable.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

If you haven’t sorted your accommodation for your Lisbon trip yet, be sure to check out our hotel guides for Lisbon.