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The best independent guide to Cascais
Cascais-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Cascais
Cascais Intro - Cascais Sights - 1 Week in Cascais - Cascais Beaches - Day Trip to Cascais - Lisbon to Cascais
Cascais beaches and beach guide – updated for 2022!
Cascais is a fantastic holiday destination that combines traditional Portuguese character, outstanding tourist facilities, and of course, beautiful beaches!
Surrounding Cascais are two very different coastlines: the calm and tranquil beaches of the Costa da Estoril, and, to the north, the wild and untamed surfing beaches of the Serra de Sintra.
The Costa da Estoril coastline extends westwards from Cascais towards Lisbon, and are characterised by golden sands, calm sea waters, and excellent tourist facilities (shops, restaurants, bars). These beaches are very popular in the summer, as they are all served by a regular train service between Lisbon to Cascais.
There are many beautiful sandy beaches near Cascais
The Serra de Sintra coastline is as much an opposite from the Costa da Estoril as possible. This region faces the might of the Atlantic Ocean, with its powerful waves, strong breezes and dramatic natural scenery. Much of the Serra de Sintra coastline lies within a protected nature park, and there is almost no tourist development, just wild and stunning beaches.
This article will provide an introduction to the beaches of the Cascais region.
Advice: The weather is warm enough for spending time on the beach from May until the end of September.
Related articles: Introduction to Cascais - Day trip to Cascais
The beaches of Cascais
The map below shows the location of the best beaches of the Cascais region. The green icons represent the best 10 beaches of the Costa da Estoril that are easily accessible from Cascais. The blue pins are the best beaches north of Cascais, but are more remote and often need a car or taxi to travel to them.
The top 10 beaches of the Costa da Estoril, and easily accessible from Cascais are: 1) Praia de Carcavelos 2) Praia da Duquesa & Praia da Conceição 3) Praia da Rainha 4) Praia de São Pedro do Estoril 5) Praia do Tamariz 6) Praia da Ribeira 7) Praia da Torre 8) Praia Velha 9) Praia de Santo Amaro 10) Praia das Moitas
The best beaches to the north of the Cascais (may have limited or no public transport): 1) Praia do Guincho 2) Praia da Ursa 3) Praia da Foz do Lizandro 4) Praia da Adraga 5) Praia das Maçãs 6) Praia Grande
Beaches within walking distance of Cascais
All of these following beaches are within walking distance of central Cascais, and are where the majority of tourists spend most of their beach time.
The Costa do Estoril are some of Portugal’s most popular beach, and in the summer months, it can feel as if the whole of Lisbon has descended on to them.
The beaches close to Cascais tend to have soft sands, calm sea waters but are often very busy
Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa
The two beaches of Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa form the main beach of Cascais. This is a beautiful stretch of sand with calm, clean sea waters and lots of beach activities. The beach is divided into two by a minor promontory; to the west is the Praia da Duquesa and to the east (closer to Cascais) is the Praia da Conceição.
During the summer the beach is a hive of activity; with boats towing banana and Ringo rides, large sea inflatables and sea pedalos. The Conceição and Duquesa beaches are suitable for children, as there are no waves or currents and the beach is supervised by lifeguards.
Our opinion: The Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa are the ideal beaches for the beginning of your holiday to Cascais.
The Praia da Duquesa (nearest) and the Praia da Conceição (on the far side) are technically one beach
The Praia da Conceição during the peak summer season, luckily there are many quieter beaches detailed later in this article…..
The Praia da Rainha beach
The Praia da Rainha (Queen’s Beach) was the private and secluded beach of Queen Amélia during the 1880s. The Praia da Rainha is picturesque; still blue sea waters, golden sands and jagged rock outcrops, providing the privacy a queen would demand.
It is often considered the prettiest beach of the Cascais coastline, but its tiny size means that it is always crowded.
Our opinion: Praia da Rainha is beautiful to admire but the Praia da Conceição, Praia do Tamariz or Praia de Carcavelos are much better suited for a day on the beach.
The pretty Praia da Rainha, as chosen by a queen.....
Praia da Ribeira
The Praia da Ribeira is the central beach of Cascais and overlooks the fishing harbour and the fort. Historically, fishing boats were pulled onto the sands, and the beach is still lovingly referred to as the fishermen’s beach (Praia dos Pescadores). As this beach is in the centre of the town, beachgoers may feel that they are being constantly gawped at, due to the constant trudge of day-trippers wandering past the beach.
Our opinion: This is another beach to admire and photograph, but maybe not to use.
The Praia da Ribeira is at the heart of Cascais
The beach is safe for children, but quickly fills in the summer months
Praia do Tamariz
The Praia do Tamariz is the main beach of Estoril, the next resort town along the coastline from Cascais. The beach has many similarities to Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa, but it’s less hectic and without all of the sea activities. The Praia do Tamariz is a 20-minute walk from Cascais, but the route follows a scenic coastal promenade.
Our opinion: The Praia do Tamariz provides a pleasant alternative beach to the main beaches of Cascais
Related articles: Estoril guide
The Praia do Tamariz stands next to the Forte da Cruz villa and is close to Estoril casino
Praia das Moitas
The Praia das Moitas is a little beach located partway between Estoril and Cascais, and connected by the beach promenade.
Being between the resort towns it is slightly quieter while still offer the same soft sands and calm sea waters.
The Praia das Moitas is often quieter than other beaches of the region
Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano
The Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano is a sea filled swimming pool, which is ideal for children and families to swim safely - and the water is slightly warmer than the sea!
There is no admission fee and is a favourite with children, especially if there are fish trapped in the pool after the tide recedes.
The Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano looks dated and has a lot of concrete but is great fun!
Public transport accessible beaches
The beaches around Cascais provide more variety than the ones which are close by. By travelling a little further using public transport, opens your options to the larger beaches of the Costa do Estoril or the wild natural scenery of the Serra de Sintra.
Praia do Guincho (6.5km from Cascais)
Praia do Guincho is a wild and rugged beach that lies within the Serra de Sintra nature park. This vast beach faces the might of the Atlantic Ocean and is pounded by huge waves, making it one of the best surfing beaches of the Lisbon region.
Guincho beach boasts dramatic and raw natural scenery, but it is no tranquil or relaxing beach, there are constant strong winds, while hidden beneath the waters are powerful currents. Guincho beach is served by the 405 and 415 bus routes, which leave Cascais bus station. There is a purpose-built cycle path connecting Cascais to the Praia do Guincho, and the 14km round trip is an enjoyable route.
Our opinion: Great for surf, kite surfing or admiring the natural scenery, but often to blustery for a relaxing beach day
The Praia do Guincho beach as viewed from the hills of the Serra de Sintra
The footpath to the outstanding surfing of Guincho
Praia de Carcavelos (9km from Cascais)
The Praia de Carcavelos is the Lisbon coastline's most popular beach. Carcavelos is much larger than all of the beaches close to Cascais, there are medium waves for surfing and excellent public transport links to Cascais and Lisbon. Along the beachfront are numerous beach bars, restaurants and shops, and there is always a lively atmosphere in the summer.
The Praia de Carcavelos is an outstanding beach, and if you are on holiday in Lisbon, this is the recommend beach to visit. The residents of Lisbon also know that Carcavelos is their best beach, and during the summer it can feel as if most of Lisbon are packed on the sands of Carcavelos.
Carcavelos is connected to Cascais by the regional railway, and the direct train takes 30 minutes. From the station, it is a 700m walk to the beach.
Our opinion: If you are seeking a big lively beach then you will adore the Praia de Carcavelos.
Related articles: Praia de Carcavelos
The Praia de Carcavelos is a vast beach.....
.... but it fills up quickly in the summer!
Praia de São Pedro do Estoril (5km from Cascais)
The Praia de São Pedro do Estoril should be considered as a smaller version of the Praia de Carcavelos. The beach is slightly sheltered by the headland, and this means the beach is calm and not suited for surfing. São Pedro beach is only a 20minute train ride from central Cascais.
Our opinion: A beautiful but underrated beach of the Costa da Estoril
The Praia de São Pedro is a pretty sheltered beach
Praia de São Pedro do Estoril is often overlooked by tourists
The best beaches of the Serra de Sintra coastline and north of Cascais
The beaches of the Serra de Sintra are famed for their wonderous scenery and powerful surfing waves. There tends to be very poor public transport north from Cascais, with the Praia do Guincho being the only one served by any sensible bus services.
Praia da Ursa (15km drive from Cascais)
The Praia da Ursa is the place to visit if you wish to escape the summertime crowds. This is as remote as it gets; there are dirt roads to the car park, and to access the beach is via a meandering cliffside path
The beach is completely wild, with absolutely no tourist development, but then this is the attraction of the beach. The Praia da Ursa is distinctive for its huge rock pillars, and the hidden rocks make it unsuitable for surfing.
The footpath down to the Praia da Ursa
The Praia da Foz do Lizandro (43km)
This beach is a long way from Cascais, and actually in the town of Ericeira, but is the best surfing beach of the Lisbon region.
The Foz do Lizandro beach is a wide expanse of sands which spans the mouth of the Lizandro River. There is surf rental here (unlike many of the other beaches), great facilities and Ericeira is a hub for surfing.
Evening surfing at the Praia da Foz do Lizandro
The Praia da Adraga (19km drive from Cascais)
The Praia da Adraga is very similar to the Praia da Ursa, but has slightly more development (a restaurant, shop and a decent car park).
This is a very beautiful beach and a favourite with the Portuguese. One advantage of the Praia da Adraga is that the carpark directly accesses the beach, without steps or cliffside scramble.
At the Praia da Adraga it is easy to escape the summertime crowds
Praia das Maçãs (22km drive from Cascais)
The Praia das Maçãs is a wide sandy bay beach set below the charming resort town of Praia das Maçãs.
This is a pretty low-key beach, which is a favourite with Portuguese families.
Our opinion: If the hecticness of Cascais get too much, then consider visiting Praia das Maçãs
Related articles: Praia das Maçãs
The town of Praia das Maçãs stands on the headland that shelters the beach
The Praia Grande (20km drive from Cascais)
The Praia Grande, as the name implies, a large beach, and is surrounded by a low-key beach resort. At the northern end is the Arribas Sintra Hotel, with a 100m salt-water swimming pool, with wonderful views across the beach. The Praia Grande is a popular surfing beach, as there are few rocky outcrops.
Our opinion: The Praia Grande is an impressive beach, but there is no real point in travelling all the way from Cascais to spend time on it.
The Praia Grande is popular for surfing
The Costa da Caparica Coastline (36km)
The beaches of the Costa da Caparica coastline are on the southern side of Lisbon (on the Setubal Peninsula), and it is possible to travel to them via public transport. The Costa da Caparica beaches offer the same great surfing of Guincho but are set within a modern resort town.
For visitors based in Lisbon, the Costa da Caparica beaches provides an alternative to the Cascais coastline, but if you are on holiday in Cascais, the Caparica beaches are not worth the complex and long journey.
Related articles: Costa da Caparica
Costa da Caparica is a great beach but too far from Cascais
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if its not here it's probably not in Cascais, Estoril or the Lisbon coastline!
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