The beaches in the center of Cascais have calm waters, but there are also waves for surfers.
The coastline extending to the west of Lisbon leads to Cascais, an affluent seaside suburb. It’s known for its sandy beaches and a calm sea, although there are also waves for surfers. It’s the coastline chosen by most tourists for a day at the beach, as it has a regular train service linking it to central Lisbon.
It can get very crowded in the summer, but there is always space for everyone. It appeals to all kinds of travelers -- from young surfers to seniors, to families and couples on a romantic holiday.
The beaches in Cascais can get crowded in the summer, but you'll always find one with enough space for you.
The largest and most popular beach on this coast is Carcavelos, while Praia da Conceição is the most recommended for those looking for a scenic beach in a convenient location. In between is Estoril, whose famous Tamariz Beach is linked to Cascais by a continuous beachfront promenade. Further north is the wild beach of Guincho, known for its massive dunes and as a windsurfing destination.
Beaches in Cascais
- Praia da Conceição
- Praia da Rainha
- Praia da Duquesa
- Praia do Guincho
- Praia da Cresmina
- Praia da Ribeira
- Praia de Santa Marta
- Praia de Carcavelos
The most central beach in Cascais is, naturally, the most crowded, but it’s perfect for sunbathing, to paddleboard on calm waters and to enjoy drinks at bars with sea views. It’s found between two iconic mansions, the starting point of the Cascais-Estoril promenade, and the closest beach to the train station in Cascais.
Beach for: Swimming, Paddling, Walks by the sea
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia da Conceição Guide.
This small postcard beach is hidden next to Praia da Conceição, behind the mansion that’s now the Albatroz Hotel (see below). Its shallow waters are safe for children, while teenagers prefer to jump from the rocks on the western end. Its name (“Queen’s Beach”) is a tribute to Queen Amélia, who used to spend the sunnier days here in the 1880s. Cascais’ main pedestrian street (Rua Frederico Arouca), with its traditional wave-patterned cobblestone pavement, shops, cafés and restaurants, is just around the corner.
Beach for: Swimming, Couples, Families/Children, Instagram
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia da Rainha Guide.
The mansion on the eastern end of Praia da Conceição marks the beginning of this similar beach. It’s named after the Duchess of Palmela, who lived in the other large mansion, on its eastern side. It has crystal-clear water, boat and parasol rentals, and can get packed in the summer.
Beach for: Swimming, Paddling, Walks by the sea
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: No
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia da Duquesa Guide.
The largest and most beautiful beach in Cascais preserves a wild, well-protected landscape. Backed by large dunes and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, it’s windy but one of the best in Portugal for water sports, particularly surfing and windsurfing. Due to its rather remote location in the 1940s, it was a popular escape for international celebrities like Walt Disney, Evita Perón, and Grace Kelly. Later, it was the backdrop of the opening scene of the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” More recently, famous personalities like Bill Clinton and Brad Pitt dined at its seafront restaurants, which are popular year-round destinations for the people of Lisbon and Cascais.
Beach for: Surfers, Windsurfers, Foodies
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: Yes
Transportation: Bus from Cascais
Visit Nearby: Boca do Inferno
See the complete Praia do Guincho Guide.
A 17th-century fortress that’s now the Fortaleza do Guincho Hotel (see below) separates this beach from Guincho. Like its neighbor, it’s windy and a beach for surfers, but the northern end right below the fortress and surrounded by rocks, is more sheltered and for those who just want to sunbathe. Behind it (across the road, reached via a boardwalk) is the Cresmina Dunes Interpretation Center, an interesting exhibition about the dunes, fauna and flora of this protected area.
Beach for: Surfers, Foodies
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: No
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: Yes
Transportation: Bus from Cascais
See the complete Praia da Cresmina Guide.
Cascais' main square (home to the Town Hall and the official tourism office) opens to this picturesque beach. Also known as Praia dos Pescadores ("Fishermen's Beach"), it’s where you can observe the flow of fishing boats, which remind you that before Cascais was a major resort town, it was a small fishing village. The beach isn’t very big, but its volleyball net is a year-round attraction, and the calm, child-friendly waters draw families staying at the hotels nearby.
Beach for: Sports, Families/Children
Lifeguards: No
Bathrooms: No
Showers: No
Rentals: No
Bar or Restaurant: No
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
Visit Nearby: Town Museum
See the complete Praia da Ribeira Guide.
It’s tiny, but its fairytale-like surroundings make it a beach that you won’t want to miss, even if just to take photos. The sunbathing is done on the sand by a palace that’s now a museum, and the swimming in the calm, crystal-clear waters that invade a small bay from the Atlantic. It’s a favorite of local teenagers, who jump from the rocks to the applause of passing tourists.
Beach for: Swimming, Couples, Families/Children, Instagram
Lifeguards: No
Bathrooms: No
Showers: No
Rentals: No
Bar or Restaurant: No
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
Visit Nearby: Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum
See the complete Praia de Santa Marta Guide.
Located between Lisbon and Cascais, this is one of the most popular beaches on the Lisbon coast. It attracts locals but also many tourists, especially beach and watersports enthusiasts. There are volleyball nets, fitness equipment, surfing schools, and bars and restaurants open throughout the year. To escape the crowds, head to the eastern end, by a fort built in 1553 to protect the Lisbon coast.
Beach for: Surfers, Sports
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Yes
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia de Carcavelos Guide.
Estoril Beaches
The beaches of Estoril are within walking distance of Cascais, following the promenade. For complete guides to those beaches, look here: Estoril Beaches
Oeiras Beaches
Don't overlook the beaches of Oeiras, which are on the Lisbon-Cascais train line. For complete guides to those beaches, look here: Oeiras Beaches
How to Get to the Beaches in Cascais
Trains to Cascais depart from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré Station every 20 minutes throughout the day. They take 40 minutes to reach Cascais (just 33 minutes in the morning until 10am and between 5pm and 8:30pm), and stop at several seaside locations along the way (if you have purchased the Lisboa Card, you may ride the train for free).
The best beaches start in Estoril, where you may walk down a promenade towards Cascais (it’s about a 15-minute walk). Many of them have sunshades and sunbeds for rent, and there are several bars and restaurants facing the sea. In Cascais, the closest beach to the train station is Praia da Conceição. To reach the wilder beach of Guincho you may rent a bike or take a Scotturb bus (number 405 or 415), which departs from the center of town (from the terminal below the Cascais Villa shopping mall) around every hour.
Cascais Beach Hotels
The Albatroz Hotel
This romantic hotel occupies the mansion that stands between Praia da Conceição and Praia da Rainha. It offers scenic views from just about anywhere, including most of the rooms, the restaurant and the terrace with swimming pool.
Fortaleza do Guincho
A 17th-century fortress perched on a cliff, separating the beaches of Guincho and Cresmina, is one of the best hotels in the entire Lisbon region. It’s Europe’s westernmost hotel and the interior features a classic, medieval atmosphere. Its restaurant has a Michelin star.
Farol Hotel
One of the first design hotels in the Lisbon region resulted from the stylish renovation of a mansion right on the rocks above the sea. It’s just down the road from Praia de Santa Marta, and its rooms were designed by some of Portugal’s leading designers.
Cascais Miragem Hotel
Located a short walk across the road from Praia da Duquesa, this hotel overlooks the ocean and has a huge terrace with a large swimming pool. There’s another pool inside, part of the excellent spa facilities.
Vila Galé Cascais Hotel
This family-friendly hotel has a super-sized swimming pool for adults and a smaller one with slides for children. The rooms are spacious and there are suites for families. The closest beach is Santa Marta, but all others are within walking distance.
