From Lisbon to the beach: How to get to the most beautiful places by the sea

Lisbon is located on the Iberian Peninsula, on a bay in the extreme southwest of Europe, on the Atlantic coast. Although the city isn't directly on the sea, the Atlantic Ocean is within easy reach. From the city to the beach: We'll tell you where to find the most beautiful beaches around Portugal's largest city and the fastest way to get from Lisbon to the beach.

A popular and easily accessible beach in Lisbon is Carcavelos Beach in the municipality of Cascais. The beach is approximately 1.5 kilometers long, very wide, and famous for its scenery: It stretches at the foot of the Forte de São Julião da Barra, one of the largest Portuguese seaside fortresses.

The Praia de Carcavelos extends not far from Lisbon at the foot of the Forte de São Julião da Barra.

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Praia de Carcavelos is a popular meeting place for surfers from the city. It boasts ideal weather conditions and excellent waves. It's usually windy, as the beach is poorly protected. Beginners can book surfing lessons, while advanced surfers search for the perfect wave—and afterward, several beach bars invite you to chill out.

Getting there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré station towards Cascais to Carcavelos station (about a 20-minute journey). From there, it's a one-kilometer walk to the beach (about a 15-minute walk).

West of Lisbon lies the chic suburb of Cascais, which has evolved over the past few decades from a historic fishing town into the "seaside resort of Lisbon." Cascais is located on a sandy bay and therefore offers several beautiful beaches with fine, golden sand.

In the suburb of Cascais, west of Lisbon, Praia da Ribeira is a popular beach.

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One of the most popular beaches is Praia da Ribeira. The beach is located opposite the fishing port, so you can watch the boats coming and going. The water is calm, making it ideal for swimming. Families especially like to come here.

Getting there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré station to Cascais (approximately 60 minutes). From the station hall, turn left and walk a few minutes to the eastern section of Praia da Ribeira.

Just five kilometers from Cascais lies the fashionable seaside resort of Estoril, famous for its elegant villas and the Estoril Casino, which opened in 1931. British intelligence officer Ian Fleming, who later created the character of James Bond, stayed at the Palacio Hotel, which included the casino. Several scenes for the film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" were later filmed here.

The coast in front of the fashionable seaside resort of Estoril is popular for a day trip from Lisbon.

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Praia do Tamariz is located right in the town center. The beach stretches out in a sheltered bay. Therefore, the water is calm and there's hardly any wind, making it a relaxing place to swim. The only drawback: Praia do Tamariz is quite small and quickly becomes crowded in midsummer.

Getting there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré station towards Cascais to Estoril station (about a 40-minute journey). From there, it's a five-minute walk to the beach.

Northwest of Cascais lies Praia do Guincho, a beautiful, unspoiled beach. Here, the Atlantic reveals its wilder side. The waves crash onto the coast with full force, with the Sintra Mountains towering in the background. The constant wind blows here, creating perfect conditions for surfing and kitesurfing. This stretch of coast also regularly hosts various international competitions.

View of surfers at Praia do Guincho, northwest of Cascais and just one hour from Lisbon.

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But Praia do Guincho doesn't just attract water sports fans: many visitors come in the evening to watch the sunset and then party in one of the beach bars: Praia do Guincho is known for its chill-out or beach parties.

Getting there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré station to Cascais (approximately 60 minutes). Continue by bus M15 or M05 to the Praia do Guincho stop (approximately 25 minutes).

The Arrábida Natural Park on the Setúbal Peninsula is home to numerous dream beaches. This magnificent natural park stretches between the two cities of Setúbal and Sesimbra. Of its 17,000 hectares, a full 5,000 are protected marine areas.

Paradise: The sandy beach Praia dos Galapinhos attracts with crystal-clear water and the finest sand.

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One of the most beautiful beaches here is Praia dos Galapinhos, the In 2017, it was named "Best Beach in Europe" by the "European Best Destinations" portal. The expansive sandy beach offers crystal-clear water, the finest sand, and a panoramic mountain backdrop.

Getting there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré station to Setúbal (approximately 50 minutes). Continue by bus 4470 or 4474 to Praia do Creiro station. From there, it's a short, ten-minute walk down to the beach.

A picturesque stretch of coast lies below the Tagus estuary south of Lisbon: Here, the sandy beaches of the Costa da Caparica stretch for almost 30 kilometers. The most famous beach is Praia da Cabana do Pescador. This beach is particularly busy in summer.

Stunning drone footage of the Costa da Caparica and the two beaches Praia do Pontal and Praia da Morena.

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On the Costa da Caparica, everything is possible: relaxing sunbathing, surfing, or partying in the beach bars and restaurants. Generally speaking, the further you get from Lisbon, the less touristy it becomes. Among the most beautiful stretches of beach are Praia da Morena and Praia da Sereia.

Getting there: Bus line 161 runs from Praça Francisco Sá Carneiro to Costa da Caparica (approximately 40 to 60 minutes). There are several bus stops along the coast, and the beach is just a few minutes' walk away. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas and then continue by bus.

If you're looking for a spectacular beach near Lisbon, Praia da Ursa is the place to be. This pristine beach is surrounded by imposing cliffs near Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. The scenery is unique, but so is the approach: To reach the beach, you have to climb a steep path downhill.

Magnificent view of Praia da Ursa near Lisbon: The beach is hidden between cliffs.

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Praia da Ursa is hidden between cliffs. The descent is steep and challenging, requiring sturdy footwear and a 20-minute hike. The return trip is also challenging.

Getting there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré station to Cascais (approximately 60 minutes). Continue by bus 1624 to the Azoia – Chafariz stop (approximately 30 minutes). From there, it's a three-kilometer walk to the beach (approximately 40 minutes).

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