The surrounding areas near Lisbon are home to some of the finest beaches of Portugal. During the summer, a trip to these beaches near Lisbon is the perfect addition to your vacation. The beaches in the Lisbon region extend along four coastlines, and you get a wide variety of beaches – from wild surfing beaches to calm and secluded family-oriented beaches and even stunning resort towns. Most sources do not tell you about the close proximity of Lisbon to many of these beautiful beaches, and knowing about these magnificent beaches before you head to Lisbon gives you the perfect opportunity to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing the attractions of the central city.
While Lisbon has a great public transport network, it might not be the easiest for new visitors to navigate their way through the city in public transport. With so many beaches to explore, the best way to do this is to rent a car. There are many car hire companies in and around Lisbon, including Avis, Lisbon Car Rental, Europcar, SIXT, CRC Car Rentals, Amoita Car Rental, Guerin Lisboa Centro, and many others. There are rental cars available here that fit every budget. From cheap car rental services to luxury rental cars, there is something for every tourist in Lisbon. You can easily carry out a car hire comparison online to help you pick out a rental car that suits your budget and needs.
Now that you have a car rental with you, here are the top beaches near Lisbon to visit.
1. Praia de Carcavelos
Carcavelos is the most popular beach located north of the River Tagus. This is a popular weekend getaway destination for Lisbon residents. The vast expanse of honey-coloured sand of the beach contrasts against a row of restaurants and bars that dot the 1.5-kilometer long promenade above the beach. The gentle waves at Praia de Carcavelos have made it the perfect spot for those wanting to learn surfing. Many surf schools offer private and group lessons in both English and Portuguese.
The beach is best known for the imposing Sao Juliao da Barra Fort, which sits at the most eastern part of the beach. This 16th-century fort is a must-visit structure once you are done with your day at the beach.
2. Praia de Caxias
The Praia de Caxias is located in the quaint little town of Caxias. This is the closest beach to Lisbon, just five kilometres from Lisbon’s Belem Tower. This is not a very large beach, but the two halves are sprawled out from each side of the beautiful Sao Brune Fort. This is a well-kept secret that not many tourists know about. The tiny size of this beach has made it popular with families with children.
3. Praia do Tamariz
Located 25 kilometres west of Lisbon is the coastal town of Estoril. The Praia do Tamariz is the town’s main beach. It has an air of old-world charm as you look at the Forte da Cruz that sits at one end of the beach. You will be surprised to learn that the 1969 movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was shot in the town of Estoril. The white sandy beach drops fairly steeply into the water, so this is not the best beach for children.
