Where to spend a beach day near Lisbon

While Lisbon isn't technically a beach town (you can, though, head to Ribeira das Naus to dip your toes in the Tagus River), the city is just a short trip from stretches of sand where you can soak up the sun, go for a swim, breathe fresh air and learn how to surf.

Beach season officially runs from June to September, but great weather can start as early as May and stretch to mid-October. Most facilities are closed during the off-season and lifeguards are off-duty.

These are the best beaches close to Lisbon.

1. Fonte da Telha

Best for families

At the first sign of warm weather, Lisbon families flock to Costa da Caparica on the Setúbal peninsula for weekend day trips to swim and sunbathe. But with almost 20 miles of sandy coast, which beach is best?

Located in a former fishing village, Fonte da Telha is something of a well-kept local secret and one of the best beaches in Lisbon for families, a 30-minute (25km) drive from the city center. (It’s not accessible by public transport from Lisbon, unless you grab a public bus in Cacilhas, which is a 10-minute ferry ride across the river). Stick to the section next to the parking lot and the restaurants, and you'll have everything you need. The beach also has shower access, parking, bathrooms and chair and umbrella rentals. The chilly Atlantic Ocean requires a little getting used to, but there’s plenty of space to lay down your towel on golden sand and sunbathe. For kids, that means plenty of undeveloped real estate for sandcastles.

Local tip: Only being able to reach this beach by car can be an advantage: you can arrive and leave whenever you want, and crowds are of no concern. 

2. Alburrica Beach 

Best for proximity to Lisbon

The waters at Alburrica beach are a mix of river and ocean, as they're closest to the mouth of the Tagus River. Without waves or currents and equipped with showers, a bar and a volleyball court, locals love to spend weekends and hot summer afternoons here. 

To get there, hop on the ferry from Terreiro do Paço and cross the Tagus River to the post-industrial city of Barreiro. Just a few minutes walk from the ferry terminus, you’ll come across three windmills on a stretch of white sand with panoramic views of Lisbon.

Local tip: On colder days, or when kite surfers are the only ones willing to bear the wind, locals take advantage of the wooden walkways for hikes and cycling.

3. Guincho Beach

Best for experienced surfers

Windy and wavy Guincho Beach is a perfect spot for surfers staying in Lisbo. Experienced surfers can generally count on decent surf and first timers will find it a handy spot to try the sport amid other sightseeing activities in the Portuguese capital. The folks at Moana Surf School rent gear and offer private lessons for those needing an introduction to surfing the Atlantic. If you’re more of a watcher than a doer, head to the nearby Bar do Guincho for drinks by the mighty sea. The fastest way to get here is to drive (30 minutes by car), though you can also grab a train from Cais do Sodré station (40 minutes).

Planning tip: Every October, Guincho Beach is usually chosen as the location for the final leg of Portugal’s professional surf championship. Get there early to save your spot on the dunes and watch the competition make a run for the title.

4. Carcavelos Beach

Best for rookie surfers

If you're new to surfing, catch the train in Cais do Sodré and get off at Carcavelos. The waves at Carcavelos Beach are small enough for rookie surfers to handle, but they still put up a decent challenge for learning new skills. Before braving the waves on your own, book a class with Carcavelos Surf School, the first school on this beach, that now has more than 20 years of experience.

There are plenty of seaside restaurants and cafés to enjoy here on breaks between swims or to take in views of the ocean and São Julião da Barra fort, as well as bathrooms, showers, a volleyball court and chair and umbrella rentals. Carcavelos is one of the most popular beaches in the Cascais area and one of the beaches closest to Lisbon city center by train; summer weekends here are typically busy.

Local tip: Dodge the crowds by hitting the beach early in the morning or on weekdays.

5. Foz do Lizandro

Best for accessibility

An hour’s drive west of Lisbon, Foz do Lizandro is one of the most popular beaches in Ericeira and worth the road trip. Heralded as one of the most accessible beaches in Portugal, Foz do Lizandro is a 20-minute bus ride from the center of Ericeira and is equipped with wooden ramps, amphibian chairs and facilities for people with reduced mobility. Beaches on Portugal’s west coast are often labeled windy and cold but great for surfers: at Foz do Lizandro, however, you’ll find a more sheltered spot where river meets ocean.

Detour: After spending a day at the beach, take in the small-town vibe of charming Ericeira, with its historic center and traditional restaurants serving fresh local seafood dishes.

6. Adraga Beach

Best for sunsets

One of the best beaches north of Lisbon, nestled between Cascais and Sintra, Adraga is the embodiment of romantic walks on the beach. Dark rugged rocks contrast dramatically with shimmering sand, and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean turn to liquid gold at sunset. The winding road that leads to the beach is part of Adraga’s charm, and on summer weekends it gets crowded fast. To get there, rent a car for the 50-minute jaunt, or hop a train to Sintra and then a bus to the beach. 

Local tip: If you’re just here for the romantic setting, take in the views at dinner for two at beachside Restaurante Adraga.

7. Tróia-Mar

Best for a resort experience

The beach at Tróia-Mar, about a two-hour drive from Lisbon, is a little slice of heaven. Here you can get the first glimpse of Portugal's southern region of Alentejo and check into an all-inclusive beach resort near the tranquil deep-blue sea and soft sand. It’s popular and gets busy in the summer, but that’s the price you pay for a beach just steps away from bars, cafés, restaurants and the ferry port that connects Tróia to Setúbal. The view of Serra da Arrábida, the sense of seclusion without feeling isolated and the tranquility of this beach destination make the trip worthwhile.

Planning tip: To get here, take an early morning train from Lisbon to Setúbal and then take a 15-minute ferry ride to Tróia.