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 the beaches in Lisbon are located, we have marked them on a map.
Carcavelos: Beautiful beach close to Lisbon
Praia de Carcavelos is the closest and easiest to reach beach from the center of Lisbon. And despite being so close to the city, it’s actually quite beautiful!
You can explore the top attractions in Lisbon in the morning and then spend the afternoon lounging on the beach.
Carcavelos beach is approximately 1.5 kilometers long and very wide, giving you plenty of space to lay your towel out on the soft sand.
However, it’s often quite windy as the beach is not very sheltered. You can see that in the waves, which attract many surfers all year round. The beach is also a great spot for beginner surfers, and you can book surfing lessons there – a very fun thing to do in Lisbon.
Book a surfing lesson in Carcavelos
How to get to Carcavelos from Lisbon
From Cais do Sodré station, take the train towards Cascais and get off at Carcavelos station. The trip takes about 20 minutes. From there, it’s about a 15-minute walk to the beach.
The Cais do Sodré station is located below Bairro Alto, directly on the Tagus River. You can reach it by taking the Metro Linha Verde or walking from the city center.
Where to stay at Carcavelos beach
The ABLA Guest House is only a six-minute walk from the beach and offers comfortable rooms and a lovely garden with an outdoor pool.
Praia do Tamariz: Sheltered beach near Cascais
Located just before the beautiful town of Cascais, which is a popular day trip destination from Lisbon, you’ll find the beach Praia do Tamariz.
It’s perfect if you are in Lisbon with children, as it is sheltered in a bay and less windy, making the water calmer. However, the beach is quite small, and in high season, it can quickly get crowded.
You only need to walk five minutes from the train station to reach Praia do Tamariz.
How to get to Praia do Tamariz from Lisbon
Take the same train from Cais do Sodré as you would to Carcavelos, and after about 40 minutes, get off at Estoril station. From there, it’s a short five-minute walk to the beach.
Where to stay at Praia do Tamariz
The luxurious InterContinental Cascais-Estoril hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from the beach and offers sensational views of the sea, a beautiful pool, and spacious rooms.
Guincho Beach: Lisbon's Surfer Paradise
This bay is perfect for windsurfing when there’s very strong wind and less swell. When the waves are higher, the area is great for experienced surfers. It isn’t ideal for beginner surfing though.
Located northwest of Cascais, Praia do Guincho is a beautiful natural beach surrounded by the mountains of Sintra.
Due to the strong winds, this beach is not that great for relaxing, but it’s perfect for taking some beautiful photos of the landscape or going for a walk and feeling the force of the wind and waves.
How to get to Praia do Guincho from Lisbon
From Cais do Sodré, take the train to Cascais and travel to the terminus (approx. 40 minutes). From there, get on the M15 or M05 bus and travel around 25 minutes to the Praia do Guincho stop.
Where to stay at Praia do Guincho
The 5-star Boutique Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho Relais & Châteaux is located directly on the beach and has a restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin star.
Ursa Beach: Between Dramatic Cliffs
It’s hidden between dramatic cliffs to the west of Sintra. Not many tourists venture here, making it a true secret spot.
You’ll need good footwear to make your way down to the beach and some endurance to get back up, but this little adventure is totally worth it.
Since not many people go down to the beach, you’ll have plenty of peace and quiet to take amazing photos of the impressive cliffs.
By the way: If going down to the beach seems too strenuous, you can still take great photos of the cliffs from above.
How to get to Praia da Ursa from Lisbon
Take the train to Cascais to the terminus (approx. 40 minutes). From there, take the 1624 bus to the Azoia – Chafariz stop (approx. 30 minutes). Alternatively, take the train from Rossio to Sintra (approx. 30 minutes) and from there take bus 1624 or 1253 to the same stop.
From Azoia – Chafariz it is a good 40 minutes’ walk to Praia da Ursa.
As you can see, it’s not that easy to get there. We recommend that you combine your visit to the beach with a trip to Sintra or Cascais and stay overnight there.
Where to stay at Praia da Ursa
The Chalet Saudade hotel is located directly in Sintra, just a few meters from the bus station. The lovely rooms are tastefully furnished, and the breakfast is world-class.
Costa da Caparica: Local's Beach in Lisbon
On the other side of the Tagus River, near the Cristo Rei statue, there’s a 26-kilometer long coast called Costa da Caparica with several nice sandy beaches.
The further you go from Lisbon to spread out your towel on the beaches of Costa de Caparica, the less touristy it gets. Mostly locals hang out at these beaches in Lisbon.
It’s usually windy at the beaches here, making it perfect for surfing.
How to get to Costa da Caparica from Lisbon
Firstly, you can take the bus to Alcântara – Av. 24 Julho and then change to a bus to Costa da Caparica. There are several bus routes – the connections are shown on Google Maps. It will take you about an hour in total.
Alternatively, you can take the boat from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and change to a bus there. The connections are also shown on Google Maps. This is also a one-hour journey.
There are several bus stops along the coast. From all of them, it is only a few minutes’ walk to the beach.
Where to stay at Costa da Caparica
If you’re looking for a cool hotel, check out Quinta Tagus. It’s a great place for a beach holiday in Lisbon. The hotel is located between Costa Caparica and the Christ statue, with a breathtaking view of Lisbon.
Galapinhos: Crystal clear water in a peaceful natural landscape
Last but not least, we want to show you the beach that is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, but also won the title of best beach in Europe by the European Best Destinations portal in 2017: Galapinhos.
It is located south of Lisbon, near the town of Setúbal in the Arrábida Natural Park.
Galapinhos is situated in a bay, which is why the water is usually calm and crystal clear, making it perfect for snorkeling.
The only catch: Without a car, this beach near Lisbon is not that easy to reach.
How to get to Galapinhos beach from Lisbon
From Rossio, take the train to Sintra and get off at Campolide after about three minutes. There you take the train in the direction of Setúbal (journey time approx. 50 minutes).
Get off at Setúbal station and take a bus to Praia da Figueirinha. From there, the walk takes about half an hour.
It is easier and quicker by rental car.
Where to stay at Galapinhos
We recommend spending at least one night in Setúbal, as you will then have enough time to get to the beach and explore the beautiful Arrábida Natural Park. For this, we recommend the Rio Art Hotel – directly by the sea in Setúbal.
Everything you need to know about the beaches in Lisbon
Now that you know about the most beautiful beaches around Lisbon, we’ll give you some important tips to prepare you for your beach day in Lisbon.
Swimming at the beaches near Lisbon: Water temperature
We haven’t mentioned it yet, but be prepared that the sea near Lisbon is quite cold. It’s wonderfully refreshing for a quick dip, but swimming for a long time on the west coast of Portugal is usually not an option.
The warmest months are August and September with temperatures of around 19°C. The average temperature throughout the year is 17°C. In winter, the water temperature drops to around 14°C.
How to get to Lisbon’s beaches
You can easily reach the beaches near the city with public transportation. It’s a bit more complicated to get to the beaches that are located farther away amidst nature, but not impossible.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
If you haven’t booked your accommodation for your Lisbon vacation yet, check out our hotel articles for Lisbon.
Do you know any other beautiful beaches near Lisbon?
These were our tips for the most beautiful beaches around Lisbon. Have you been to the sea near Lisbon and can recommend another beach? Please leave us a comment!