A stone’s throw from Lisbon’s pastel streets lie cool surf towns, quaint fishing villages and some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. Pack sunscreen and a swimsuit and swap cobblestones and city buzz for soft sand and a slower pace of life with one of these Lisbon beach day trips.
From glamorous Cascais to laidback Ericeira, this article – written by someone who lives in Lisbon – is focused on great beach destinations near the capital. Lisbon’s coastline delivers a dozen different coastal moods – from boho Caparica to boujee Comporta – and these are the beach escapes locals actually head off to when the city gets hot, hot, hot.
That said, I’d also suggest these coastal destinations in the off-season, when the swell is up and the surfers are out. A crisp, blue-sky day at the beach is still a day at the beach. Crashing waves and paradise are closer than you think!
Best Lisbon beach day trip for…
- First-time visitors – Cascais
- Surfers – Caparica, Ericeira, Peniche or Nazaré
- Nature lovers – Arrábida & Berlengas
- Boujee crowd – Comporta
My definition of a day trip is anywhere I can reach by car in 20 to 90 minutes. Public transport might take slightly longer, and I’ve included the best options for each location too.
Which of these Lisbon beach day trips can you do without a car?
Without a car, the easiest beaches to reach are along the Cascais train line. You can jump on at Cais do Sodré in Lisbon, and then jump off anywhere along the line – or take it to the final station in Cascais (mentioned in detail below). All of the other destinations on this list require an Uber/Bolt, a slower city bus or a coach.
Best beaches close to Lisbon downtown
If you are just after a beach to visit while you’re visiting Lisbon, here are a few quick recommendations:
Cascais train line
- Caxias Beach – Lisbon’s best closest beach by train (17min from Cais do Sodre). It has a cute little fort and beach bar.
- Praia Velha – Lisbon’s closest dog-friendly beach. It’s in Paço de Arcos, which has great restaurants too.
- Carcavelos beach – Lisbon’s biggest city beach – lots of restaurants, beach volleyball, surf schools.
South of the Tagus River – (I talk about the Caparica area below)
- Praia de Santo António – and the other beaches in front of Costa da Caparica town are all relatively the same (small beaches divided by groynes). For that reason, I prefer…
- Nova Praia – The last beach in downtown Caparica with the best beach bars and where it gets a little wilder.
- Praia de São João – a great, wide beach closer to the river with top restaurants and bars.
Now, onto the best beach day trips near Lisbon…
Cascais: Chic marina, beaches and galleries
How to get to Cascais – 40-minute drive west from Lisbon, or hop on a gorgeous 50-minute train from Cais do Sodre. (It’s one of the most beautiful train journeys!). Very easy to reach from Lisbon.
A fishing village turned resort town, Cascais is the shining jewel of Lisbon’s coastline. This sophisticated seaside destination became popular with Portuguese royalty in the 19th century, and this heritage is reflected in the grand villas and museums dotted along the seafront. Head here to hop from beach to beach, explore the diverse Museum Quarter, witness the power of nature at Boca do Inferno, and wander the historic cobbled streets in search of the perfect long seafood lunch.
Things to do in Cascais
- Wander the main streets of the Old Town – look up to see the grand 19th-century villas and look down for the ornate mosaic sidewalks.
- Enjoy a long seafood lunch by the water. Cascais has fantastic fresh fish, and I love Portuguese seafood rice (arroz de marisco).
- Go for a dip at one of the town beaches, such as Praia da Rainha.
- Explore the Museum Quarter: Visit the historic Citadel of Cascais (fort); see contemporary works at the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego; and take in the view from the Santa Marta Lighthouse.
- Visit Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell), a dramatic cliff formation just outside of town where the Atlantic waves crash in with immense force. It’s a prime spot for sunset.
- Cycle the coast for free: Grab a free ‘Bicas’ bike near the train station and follow the coastal path toward Boca do Inferno and out to Guincho.
- Drive or walk around to Praia do Guincho, one of Lisbon’s most gorgeous, windswept beaches, perfect for surfing and kite-surfing.
- Visit Cabo da Roca (car or bus needed), Europe’s westernmost point, for breathtaking, rugged coastal views.
- Check out the Mercado da Vila (Municipal Market) for fresh local produce, fish and a vibrant atmosphere. The Saturday market is particularly good.
Ericeira: chilled out surf town
How to get to Ericeira – 40-minute drive north from Lisbon, or a slower coach bus with Mafrense from Campo Grande. Alternatively join this guided day trip that includes Mafra Palace.
If you’ve seen pictures of the whitewashed coastal architecture of Portugal, then you’ll love Ericeira. Most of the houses are white with a striking cobalt blue trim, which pops nicely in photos against the bright blue sky. Ericeira is home to Europe’s only World Surf Reserve, so this small fishing village has become a bit of a haven for surf and yoga-loving expats.
A day here might start with a fancy flat white and a yoga or surf lesson, then roll into a long, slow seafood-heavy lunch at a classic marisqueira (where you eat mostly shellfish by weight), or at the progressive and very cool Costa Fria –one of my favourite restaurants in all of Portugal. After lunch, laze on the beach and catch some sunshine or shop the old town and pause for an ouriço da Ericeira sweet with an espresso.
Things to do in Ericeira
- Wander the old town and take a million photos of cute doors and cobalt-trimmed streets.
- Catch a wave at the World Surf Reserve – book a lesson or BYO board and hit the break at Ribeira d’Ilhas.
- Try the famous ouriço da Ericeira, a traditional local sweet named after the sea urchin.
- Head to a clifftop bar like Mar das Latas for a sunset wine or cocktail overlooking the ocean.
- Go for a swim or sunbake at the central and easy-to-access Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen’s Beach).
- Enjoy a classic, long seafood lunch by the water at a traditional marisqueira, or go modern at the cool Costa Fria.
- Skip the fancy places and eat a prego (Portuguese steak sandwich) at the old-school favourite, Taberna Lebre.
- Combine your trip with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Mafra, a short drive inland, which features a vast Baroque complex. This guided day trip combines the two.
Bonus tip: On the way to Ericeira, you could pass through Mafra (mentioned below) to see its ginormous palace or wander trails in the Tapada da Mafra where you’ll see deer and wild boars.
Costa da Caparica: Lisbon’s best beaches
How to get to Costa da Caparica – 20-40 minute drive south from Lisbon, depending on which beach you want to explore. Public transport isn’t great – so it’s simpler to use a Bolt rideshare for €10-15 (use this link to get my discount code).
Costa da Caparica is almost 30 kilometres (18 miles) of ocean-facing coastline, south of Lisbon, where you’ll find the best beach clubs and most beautiful Lisbon beaches. You can reach the downtown 80s-vibe of the namesake town in as little as a 15-minute drive from the city. But the rule is simple: the further south you venture, the wilder and prettier the beaches of Costa da Caparica become, backed only by sweeping sand dunes and protected fossil cliffs.
Near the town centre, you’ll find lots of cafés, restaurants and a wide esplanade ideal for walking, running and biking. I love to come here early in the morning while my partner surfs, often seeing colourful, wooden fishing boats pulling up onto the shore. I watch as old ladies flock over with a plastic bag in hand, swapping cash for fresh fish before it hits the market. If you keep going just past the southernmost groyne, you’ll come upon some charming striped wooden fishermen’s huts tucked in the dunes.
The coast stretches from Caparica town down to Praia da Fonte da Telha. On the many beaches in between, you’ll find some of the coolest beach bars and restaurants around. If you’re after a long, lazy seafood lunch by the sea, this is the spot to kick back. In summer, look for special events and DJ parties that often start in the afternoon and go until dawn.
Things to do in Costa da Caparica
- Go to the beach, anywhere between Costa da Caparica town to Fonte da Telha. Despite being long, wide and sandy, you’ll almost always find an open café or restaurant and many rent sun loungers and umbrellas.
- Book in a surf lesson – consistent breaks make this the go-to spot for beginner surfers near Lisbon.
- Drink sangria and watch the day slip away at a beach bar – Kailua, Inha and Irmão usually have a good vibe.
- Enjoy a seafood lunch by the water – Praia Princesa is a favourite spot for grilled fish. (Book ahead!)
- Hike the Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil to see the ancient, fossil-rich cliffs that stretch inland.
- Visit Convento dos Capuchos, a 16th-century monastery perched on the cliffs for an amazing viewpoint.
Arrábida Natural Park: turquoise bays & limestone cliffs
How to reach Arrábida – 45-minute drive south from Lisbon, or take a train to Setúbal and then board a bus or book a water taxi, or join a guided tour (recommended if you don’t have a car).
The wild paradise of Arrábida Natural Park is one of Portugal’s most spectacular coastal reserves – a protected stretch of limestone cliffs, secret coves and forested hills that tumble down to waters so turquoise you’ll swear you’re in the Mediterranean.
Spend your day beach-hopping between Portinho da Arrábida, Praia dos Coelhos and Praia de Galápos, or lace up for a cliffside hike with sweeping views of the Tróia Peninsula and the Sado Estuary. Half the fun is on the water, so hire a kayak or board a boat to meet dolphins and snorkel among fish.
You can easily combine Arrábida with time in Setúbal, Sesimbra or Azeitão.
Things to do in Arrábida Natural Park
- Beach-hop (or stay put) – Bring sneakers and a towel and spend the day exploring Portinho da Arrábida, Praia de Galápos and Praia dos Coelhos.
- Hike the Serra da Arrábida trails – Lace up your boots for panoramic coastal walks through pine forest and scrub-covered hills with great views.
- Enjoy a long fish lunch – My favourite spot is O Farol in Portinho da Arrábida. Message ahead to book a table!
- Visit the Convento da Arrábida – A 16th-century Franciscan monastery clinging to the mountainside, with serene views over the park and ocean. Tours must be pre-booked, but are totally worth it.
- Hire kayaks – Paddle along the limestone cliffs and into hidden sea caves. Local operators leave from Setúbal and Portinho da Arrábida.
- Board a dolphin-watching tour – Boats from either Setúbal or Sesimbra venture into the marine park, where you can meet the best locals.
- Stop at the viewpoints – Drive the winding Estrada de Escarpa road and pull over at Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida for the best panoramas.
- Go snorkelling or diving – The calm, clear waters are part of the Arrábida Marine Reserve. You’ll spot fish darting through seaweed forests just a few metres from shore.
Read next… My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
Sesimbra: pretty fishing town with stunning beaches
How to get to Sesimbra – 40-minute drive south from Lisbon, or choose slower options with public buses from Lisbon. You could also take a ferry to Cacilhas, then catch a bus. Google Maps is your bestie.
Just over a 40-minute drive from Lisbon, the hard-working fishing village topped by an ancient castle can feel like a world away from the busy streets of the city. When I pulled up for lunch recently, the first thing I saw was a scraggly old scuba diving instructor wearing a wetsuit and smoking a pipe. Meanwhile, the fishermen’s bar nearby was overflowing with locals back from a hard morning’s work.
While it sounds rough around the edges, Sesimbra actually has more of a holiday or vacation feel to the town, just without being overly commercial. The beachfront promenade is a gorgeous spot to grab an ice cream and wander along, but not before you’ve chosen from the variety of options to eat freshly caught seafood.
Things to do in Sesimbra
- Hike up to the Sesimbra Castle (Castelo de Sesimbra) above the town for amazing views of the bay and coastline.
- Walk, kayak or boat to the spectacular Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, often considered one of Portugal’s most beautiful hidden coves. It’s not an easy hike down, so book a taxi boat if in doubt.
- Or just pop up an umbrella at the central beaches, Praia do Ouro or Praia da Califórnia, known for their calm, clear and family-friendly waters.
- Drop into the Municipal Mercado to discover the catch-of-the-day and what’s in season.
- Sesimbra is a renowned diving and snorkelling hub. Book an excursion to explore the underwater world of the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park in the nearby Arrábida Natural Park.
- You can also jet off on a dolphin-watching excursion to meet the best locals.
- Enjoy a serious long seafood lunch – Sesimbra has some of the freshest fish in the country.
Combine Sesimbra with…. exploring the UNESCO World Biosphere of Arrábida Natural Park, it’s neighbour! Or, on the way there, stop in Azeitão for a wine tasting at José Maria da Fonseca or Quinta da Bacalhôa, famous for their Moscatel dessert wine. Another great detour is Cabo Espichel, a dramatic cliff-top sanctuary nearby, where you can see fossilised dinosaur footprints visible on the rock faces.
Read next… Tile of the day: Sesimbra
Sintra: secret coast of wild beaches & mist
How to reach Sintra’s beaches – 45-minute drive from Lisbon. You’ll need a car (public transport doesn’t reach most beaches). Bring layers for Sintra’s cooler microclimate.
Just beyond the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra lies an entirely different kingdom – one where shifting tides, Atlantic mist and dramatic cliffs rule. The rugged coastal edge of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park hides stretches of barely-touched sandy coves that are raw and a little wild.
There are half a dozen beaches to explore. Start at Praia da Adraga, a cinematic cove framed by towering sea stacks, or try Praia Grande, a huge sweep of sand with a 100m-long saltwater pool. Praia das Maçãs (Apple Beach) has a small seaside village vibe, with cafés, a surf school and a tram that occasionally runs down from Sintra town. Further north, Praia das Azenhas do Mar has a small tidal pool.
Things to do on Sintra’s Coast
- Hike down to Praia da Ursa – One of Portugal’s most spectacular wild beaches, backed by jagged cliffs and sea stacks shaped like a bear (ursa). It’s a steep 30-minute hike.
- Watch the waves at Praia da Adraga – A photographer’s dream with dark cliffs and wild Atlantic energy. The oceanfront seafood restaurant is excellent.
- Take the tram from Sintra village to Praia das Maçãs – A laid-back seaside village where locals come to surf, swim and eat. It’s a cute vintage tram ride through nature!
- Catch the sunset at Azenhas do Mar – A postcard-perfect cliffside village where whitewashed houses tumble down toward a natural seawater pool carved into the rocks.
- Visit Europe’s westernmost point, Cabo da Roca – A bucket-list item for many.
- Explore the trails of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park – The beach is too windy? Venture inland to find trails.
Berlengas Islands & Peniche: Raw, rocky islands and a surf town
How to reach Peniche – 75-minute drive north from Lisbon, or take a 90-minute Rede Expressos coach from Sete Rios. Boat trips to Berlengas leave from Peniche (pre-booking recommended).
A day trip to the Berlengas Islands is real Portuguese bucket-list material. These are some of the only islands off the continental Portuguese coast, and this tiny archipelago is a protected nature reserve known for its raw, rocky landscape and stunning turquoise waters. During the summer months, you can easily jump on a half-day boat trip out there to see the famous historic fortress and the caves.
You’ll set off for the islands from Peniche, a very relaxed seaside town about 75 minutes north of Lisbon. This entire region, known as the Oeste (West), is a paradise of seafood, sunshine and epic surf – but be aware that it is also prone to fog, especially in the mornings. In Peniche town, round out your day with a visit to the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom within the old fort or explore the beach at Supertubos or Baleal.
Things to do in Peniche and the Berlengas Islands
- Catch a ferry or speed boat from Peniche to Berlenga Grande, the main island. A handful of companies offer the same service. (Book ahead!)
- On Berlenga Grande, walk across the stone causeway to explore the famous Fort of São João Batista, take a small boat tour into caves, hike island trails, or laze at the only beach during your 3-4 hours on the island.
- In Peniche, drive around the scenic headland of Cabo Carvoeiro to check out the dramatic cliffs, lighthouse and the beautiful Nossa Senhora dos Remédios sanctuary.
- Spend time at the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, located within the imposing old fort, a former political prison (free for Portuguese residents).
- This coast is home to world-class surf. Watch professionals catch a wave at the famous Supertubos beach (known for its powerful, barrel-shaped waves) or visit the beautiful, smaller peninsula of Baleal.
- Peniche is a working fishing port. If you’re there in the morning, explore the Mercado de Municipal or just head straight for lunch at legendary Tasca do Joel or the more chill A Sardinha.
Comporta: boujee beach escape
How to reach Comporta – 75-90-minute drive south from Lisbon. You’ll need a private car or transfer.
Just over an hour south of Lisbon, Comporta is a long, laid-back stretch of coast where rice fields, pine forests and little villages meet endless dunes where the Atlantic rolls in. Starting at the southern edge of the Tróia Peninsula, the villages of Comporta have gained an international reputation for delivering barefoot luxury to the jet-set crowd. Artists, architects and designers have descended on a few sleepy fishing villages to build private resorts, restore thatched cabanas and open concept stores.
Admittedly, Comporta’s beaches are gorgeous – but lunch on the sand here now comes with a luxury pricetag. It probably won’t shock Europeans with stronger economies, and you can still dine at cheaper, local restaurants tucked in villages off the beach. While here, you could spend the morning riding horses through the rice paddies and pine forests or spotting flamingos, storks and even dolphins in the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, one of Portugal’s richest wetland ecosystems.
Stop for lunch, then claim a spot on Praia da Comporta, Praia do Carvalhal or Praia do Pego. Late in the afternoon, go shopping in Comporta village, where you’ll find dozens of boutiques and little galleries.
Things to do in Comporta
- Relax on Praia da Comporta, a vast, pristine beach with soft sand and turquoise water.
- Ride horses through the rice paddies and pine forests, and over dunes onto the beach.
- Go birdwatching – flamingos, herons and storks are common sightings in the wetlands.
- Lunch by the sea at Sal or Comporta Café, or try Dona Bia for Portuguese flavours.
- Shop the chic boutiques and design stores that make Comporta famous for its understated style.
- Add the Tróia Peninsula, where you can visit Roman ruins or go dolphin-watching.
Read next… The average person’s guide to A-list Comporta: Portugal’s luxe beach town
Nazaré: big waves, 7 skirts & sun-dried seafood
How to reach Nazaré – 90-minute drive north from Lisbon, or more like 2 hours with a Rede Expressos coach.
The once-sleepy seaside town of Nazaré has two main seasons. While people have always flocked here for the striped beach huts, grilled sardines and racks of seafood drying in the summer sunshine, now the coastal town is world-famous for its record-breaking winter waves, which draw big-wave surfers from across the globe. But beyond the surf, Nazaré keeps its old soul – a whitewashed fishing town where elderly women often still wear the town’s traditional seven-layered skirts.
The town sits in two parts. Praia da Nazaré is the lower, main beachfront strip, lined with restaurants and cafés. Ride the funicular up to the Sítio district on the cliff above to find epic views from the Miradouro do Suberco, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré (a pilgrimage site since the 14th century) and the dramatic Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo. From the fort, you can see the famous Praia do Norte, home to the Nazaré Canyon, a deep underwater trench that amplifies Atlantic swells into waves over 30 metres high (100 feet). In 2011, surfer Garrett McNamara rode his world-record wave, putting Nazaré on the global surf map.
Things to do in Nazaré
- Watch the waves at Praia do Norte, best viewed from the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo or the upper cliffs. Check the radar for big wave alerts – the best chances are between October and March, but if there’s no alert, expect to see almost flat ocean!
- Ride the funicular from the beachfront up to Sítio for sweeping views and historic landmarks.
- Visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, with its richly tiled interior and centuries-old devotion legend.
- Explore traditional fishing culture – look for colourful wooden boats on the beach and women selling dried fish in summer.
- Stroll along Praia da Nazaré and stop for a sweet or lunch at one of the cafés or seafood restaurants.
- Check out the Nazaré Canyon Interpretation Centre at the fort for a quick dive into the science behind the giant waves. It’s crazy what lies beneath the ocean surface!
Let me know in the comments if you went on any beach day trips from Lisbon – I’d love to hear about your highlights!
