Sun, Sand, Sea and… Stations: A Guide to Lisbon’s Best Beaches Accessible Via Public Transport

13.07.2024 - 10:28 / breakingtravelnews.com / River Tagus / Ian Fleming

Holidaymakers seeking the cultural satisfaction of a city break and the relaxation of a beach break can find both in Lisbon. Portugal’s vibrant capital is packed with fascinating attractions, but when visitors are ready to swap sightseeing for sea, sand and sun, there’s a host of beaches in easy reach via public transport. Here, the team at Visit Lisboa (www.visitlisboa.com) pick out six stretches of sand with unique charms, all of which can be accessed for free on trains and buses with the money-saving Lisboa Card.

Carcavelos Beach, Carcavelos

Less than 30 minutes by train from Lisbon, Carcavelos Beach is a favourite for both locals and tourists. Carcavelos combines sunbathing comfort, activities and culinary delights, with more than a mile of golden sands, excellent waves for surfing and bodyboarding, a lively promenade of cafes and restaurants, plus kiosks for hiring beach and water sports equipment. At one end of the beach is the Fort of São Julião da Barra, which once guarded the entrance to the River Tagus from enemy ships, and is still one of Portugal’s largest maritime fortifications.

Getting there: The train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station to Carcavelos takes 26 minutes, with a short walk from the station to the beach.

Praia da Conceição and Praia de Duquesa, Cascais

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In the heart of Cascais, the beaches of Praia da Conceição and Praia de Duquesa are only separated at high tide, and together they combine convenience with charm. Easily accessible from Lisbon and sheltered from the Atlantic waves, this stretch offers calm waters and a family-friendly atmosphere, with a large inflatable for kids to swim out to and clamber over during the summer months, plus a range of amenities and dining options nearby, all helping to make this one of the region’s most popular beaches.

Getting there: The Cascais train from Cais do Sodré station takes around 40 minutes, and the beach is less than 5-minutes walk from the final stop.

Praia do Tamariz, Estoril

Located in the stylish resort of Estoril, once a holiday favourite of Portugal’s King Luís I, Praia do Tamariz is a golden sand beach that is ideal for families, with calm waters, rock pools, and a small salt-water swimming pool that provides a warmer option for children. Estoril’s cafes and restaurants are within easy reach, and nearby attractions include Casino Estoril, where Ian Fleming found inspiration for the James Bond adventure, Casino Royale, and a 17th century castle, Forte da Cruz.

Getting there: The train from Cais Do Sodre in Lisbon to Estoril takes less than 40 minutes, and the beach is a short walk from the station.

Costa da Caparica

Just 10km to the south west of Lisbon, on the south side of the River Tagus, the Costa da