Sandy coves with calm water for toddlers, open Atlantic beaches with big waves for older kids, and dunes to run down. These are the beaches we take our kids to when the city heats up, all close enough for a day out. Some sit at the river mouth, where the sea stays gentle; others face the open ocean, so check the flags before anyone goes in.
The largest beach in Oeiras, a long stretch of sand between the mouth of the Ribeira da Laje and Praia da Saisa, beside the Forte de São Julião das Maias. Two stone jetties keep the water calmer, and surfers and beach volleyball players fill the sand.
A lit seafront promenade runs past the Oeiras marina to Torre beach, and a garden across the coast road offers shade.
Conceição and Duquesa are two small sandy beaches on Cascais bay, side by side below the seafront promenade and joined into one stretch at low tide. The bay keeps the water calm for paddling and swimming, though the Atlantic stays cold even in August.
Beach bars and restaurants line the promenade above, and the walkway runs about 3 km east to Azarujinha beach in São João do Estoril.
Praia da Rainha is a sandy cove about 50 meters long, tucked between cliffs in the middle of Cascais. The rocks shelter it, so the water is usually calm enough for paddling and first swims.
A stairway leads down to the sand, and a snack bar with outdoor seating sits nearby. It is named for Queen Amélia, who favored it during royal stays in the town.
Costa da Caparica is a 15 km run of Atlantic beaches on the south bank of the Tagus, facing open ocean rather than the river. Beaches by the town are the busiest, São João to the north is calmer, and the long stretch south is backed by dunes.
The waves draw surfers, and beach bars along the sand serve grilled fish and clams.
Praia de Carcavelos is a 1.25 km stretch of open sand beside the Fort of São Julião da Barra, the first Cascais beach coming from Lisbon. Strong Atlantic waves make it a surf, bodyboard and windsurf spot, with surf schools on the sand.
The beach also has three volleyball courts, three beach tennis courts, a footvolley court and a football field, and a promenade of cafés runs behind it.
Sandy coves with calm water for toddlers, open Atlantic beaches with big waves for older kids, and dunes to run down. These are the beaches we take our kids to when the city heats up, all close enough for a day out. Some sit at the river mouth, where the sea stays gentle; others face the open ocean, so check the flags before anyone goes in.
The largest beach in Oeiras, a long stretch of sand between the mouth of the Ribeira da Laje and Praia da Saisa, beside the Forte de São Julião das Maias. Two stone jetties keep the water calmer, and surfers and beach volleyball players fill the sand.
A lit seafront promenade runs past the Oeiras marina to Torre beach, and a garden across the coast road offers shade.
Conceição and Duquesa are two small sandy beaches on Cascais bay, side by side below the seafront promenade and joined into one stretch at low tide. The bay keeps the water calm for paddling and swimming, though the Atlantic stays cold even in August.
Beach bars and restaurants line the promenade above, and the walkway runs about 3 km east to Azarujinha beach in São João do Estoril.
Praia da Rainha is a sandy cove about 50 meters long, tucked between cliffs in the middle of Cascais. The rocks shelter it, so the water is usually calm enough for paddling and first swims.
A stairway leads down to the sand, and a snack bar with outdoor seating sits nearby. It is named for Queen Amélia, who favored it during royal stays in the town.
Costa da Caparica is a 15 km run of Atlantic beaches on the south bank of the Tagus, facing open ocean rather than the river. Beaches by the town are the busiest, São João to the north is calmer, and the long stretch south is backed by dunes.
The waves draw surfers, and beach bars along the sand serve grilled fish and clams.
Praia de Carcavelos is a 1.25 km stretch of open sand beside the Fort of São Julião da Barra, the first Cascais beach coming from Lisbon. Strong Atlantic waves make it a surf, bodyboard and windsurf spot, with surf schools on the sand.
The beach also has three volleyball courts, three beach tennis courts, a footvolley court and a football field, and a promenade of cafés runs behind it.
