It’s a city. It is a capital city. But Lisbon also has beaches, making it one of the most varied Portuguese holiday destinations. Come to Lisbon for big city vibes with an intimate feel, river and estuary landscapes to die for, and some glorious stretches of lovely sand to lounge about on close enough to be convenient. Here’s what you need to know about the beaches near Lisbon.
Which beach is closest to Lisbon?
Praia da Bela Vista is long and sandy, backed by lovely sand dunes, with its own designated nudist area, the closest nude beach to the capital. We’ll showcase more nudist beaches later on, but this one’s the closest of all to town. It has been welcoming nudists since 1996, one of the most established nudist beaches in Portugal. It also happens to be a haven for wildlife, including meerkats, which love to play in the sand dunes. Such fun! There are places to buy cocktails and drinks nearby and the sunsets are truly stunning.
Praia da Bela Vista is easy to drive to but also accessible by public transport. Hop on the train from Lisbon to Cascais, enjoy a scenic 30 minute journey, then grab a bus or taxi to the beach itself, ten minutes away by road. Alternatively you cab spend 40 minutes on the bus, which drops you conveniently close to the sands.
Beaches near enough to Lisbon for rock ‘n’ roll
Carcavelos Beach is just nine miles from Lisbon city centre, one of the most popular beaches in the area thanks to a lovely wide stretch of sand, excellent surfing and a vibrant atmosphere. Because there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby to get refreshments and supplies, it’s one of those beaches you can stay all day.
You’ll find Praia de Santo Amaro close to the mouth of the mighty Tagus River, a small beach loved by local people for its excellent swimming, a lot more chilled out than the bigger, more touristy beaches in the area.
Cross over the river at Lisbon to find the delightful Costa da Caparica, an enormous slice of coastline boasting several beaches, each as gorgeous as the last. A hot favourite with everyone from keen surfers to families with kids, some bits of it are secluded and quiet while other stretches are bustling, busy and noisy, which means there’s something for everyone.
Pretty little Praia da Rainha is in the town of Cascais, a picturesque beach surrounded by towering cliffs, so close to the town you’re within easy walking distance of the shops, places to eat and bars. Praia do Guincho is another beach-lovers’ favourite near Cascais, this time famed for its powerful winds and legendary surfing conditions as well as being a haven for kite surfers. The natural drama, wild Atlantic waves and surfer-watching fun make it a thrilling beach experience for adventure lovers, less of a draw for families with children because of the rough seas.
Praia da Adraga near the town of Sintra offers a good level of seclusion along with oodles of natural beauty thanks to the craggy cliffs and sparkling clear water. It’s worth every step of the hike to get there, one of the reasons you don’t find so many little kids here. Praia das Maçãs is also conveniently near to Sintra, this time really easy to access so you’ll find a lot of families with kids there. The family-friendly atmosphere and choice of places to eat mean it’s usually pretty busy.
Praia Grande, as the name suggests, is massive! Known for its enormous expanse of sand and impressive waves, it’s another big favourite with surfers from around the world. Photographers and Instagrammers adore it as well, thanks to the sheer drama of the surrounding cliffs.
Is there a nudist beach near Lisbon?
The answer’s yes! From specialist nudist guesthouses to nudist-led holidays and even nudist colonies, Portugal’s naturist movement has been growing fast in recent years. Beach 19 is around 15 miles from the city centre, a long stretch of sand called Costa Da Caparica. An official nude beach by law, it offers unspoiled shores and secluded dunes to explore.
Then there’s Praia do Meco, another nudist beach, this time 25 miles south of the capital, next to the Serra da Arrabida Natural park and wonderfully secluded. It also happens to be one of the region’s cleanest beaches. Surrounded by towering cliffs and offering gorgeous views of the bay, it was one of the first nudist beaches in the region as well as a very popular one, used since the 1970s for sunbathing naked. Look out for and avoid the sections of the beach where families gather, otherwise you’re fine to wander around in nothing but your birthday suit. The little fishing village of the same name offers restaurants and bars. Bear in mind you’ll need to hire a car to get there, unless you fancy changing buses several times en route.
Praia da Adiça, nicknamed Praia da NATO because it is near to a government military base, fhas been an official naturist beach since 2015. You’ll find it near the little fishing village Fonte da Telha, south of Costa da Caparica, almost a mile long and almost completely secluded at one end. A gorgeous protected landscape of golden cliffs and pine trees surrounds it, with the cape of Espichel visible in the south. The sea can be a bit rough here but the swimming is fabulous in summer. Bear in mind there are no lifeguards so it isn’t ideal for families with kids.
Beaches along the river Tagus
Because the Rio Tejo flows through Lisbon, there are some fabulous river beaches to enjoy. They offer a quieter, less touristy experience and often come with stunning urban views.
- Praia de Santo Amaro is near the Alcântara neighbourhood close to the 25 de Abril Bridge, a small sandy beach loved by locals for sunbathing, safe swimming in calm water, picnics and awesome bridge views
- Praia Fluvial de Algés is in the town of Algés, west of Lisbon in a more natural setting. Expect pretty green spaces, paths to wander along and cafes nearby
- Praia Fluvial do Parque das Nações is inside the Park of Nations near the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Walks along the promenade are popular, and while there’s no sand you can chill out near the water. You’re nice and close to all sorts of restaurants, bars and tourist attractions
- Praia Fluvial da Ponta dos Corvos is close to the town of Seixal, a wee bit south of Lisbon, a chilled river beach surrounded by greenery, perfect for birdwatching and enjoying the natural beauty of the vast river estuary. The facilities are only basic and it doesn’t really get crowded
How to get to Lisbon’s beaches
The train services in the Lisbon are are good, making many of these beach treats easy to get to from the city. The Cascais train line, for example, connects Lisbon with all sorts of wonderful towns with lovely sands right on the doorstep.
Secluded beaches owe their peace and quiet to the lack of facilities, perfect for some people but not good for others. Luckily the most popular beaches, and the most family-friendly, feature essentials like lifeguards, showers and loos, otherwise bring your own drinks and food and make the most of the comparative solitude.