• Three minutes from the train, since Cascais station sits just above the sand, so a car-free day out from Lisbon works
• Cold Atlantic water even in midsummer, though the bay keeps it nearly always calm for younger swimmers
• Busy in summer, so come early for a patch of sand; sunbeds and parasols can be rented on the beach

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.