The south of Praia da Adiça is completely deserted
Popularly known as Praia da NATO for being located by a military base of the intergovernmental organization, this is an official nude beach since 2015. It’s found by the fishing community of Fonte da Telha, to the south of Costa da Caparica, and stretches for about 1.5 kilometers (close to one mile).
Praia da Adiça is in a protected area
It offers plenty of space and tranquility, but has grown in popularity so can also be crowded in July and August, when the neighboring beach of Fonte da Telha gets packed and people keep moving south. It’s backed by a protected landscape of golden cliffs and pine trees, and to the south you can see the cape of Espichel.
Praia da Adiça has grown in popularity
The sea tends to be a little rougher here than at Costa da Caparica nearby, but also offers good conditions for swimming in the summer. You just have to be extra careful, as there is no lifeguard supervision. For this reason, it’s not the best beach for children. It’s also not the place for you if you’re not comfortable with nudity. Although everyone is of course free to keep their bathing suit on, the designation as a nude beach should be respected.
Praia da Adiça is also known as Praia da NATO
There are no bars, restaurants or facilities of any kind. You should bring water and snacks, otherwise you have to walk to the bars and restaurants of Fonte da Telha, fifteen or more minutes away.
Beach for: Naturists, Couples
Lifeguards: No
Bathrooms: No
Showers: No
Rentals: No
Bar or Restaurant: No
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Bus+tourist train, Bus+Uber, or Ferry+bus
How to Get to Praia da Adiça
Different trails lead down to Praia da Adiça
The best way to reach Praia da Adiça is by car, as there is no direct public transportation. From Lisbon, you need to take a bus to Costa da Caparica and then the tourist train to Fonte da Telha and walk from there. Alternatively, take the bus to Costa da Caparica and then an Uber to Fonte da Telha. You can also take a ferry from Cais do Sodré Station in Lisbon to Cacilhas and then hop on Carris Metropolitana bus 3012 to Fonte da Telha. This bus departs about once per hour, at irregular intervals, and makes several stops along the way, reaching Fonte da Telha in about 50 minutes. The walk from Fonte da Telha to Praia da Adiça takes about 15 minutes, but if you’re looking for more peace and quiet, you should keep walking for another 10 or 20 minutes to the southern end of the beach, where it feels like you’re really far from civilization.
If you’re driving, there’s plenty of parking in Fonte da Telha, but it’s often not enough in July and August, so make sure you go early. For Praia da Adiça, you should park as further south as possible (continue down the gravel road until the end). Also expect traffic as you exit the parking lots and on the roads nearby at the end of the day.
To avoid most of the traffic and to guarantee parking, some people prefer to drive up the road to the NATO base, park below the pine trees when they see the signs warning that they can’t continue, and follow a trail through the woods known as Mata dos Medos at the top of the cliffs for about 15 minutes (there are some breathtaking views along the way!). Although this option avoids the traffic and takes you directly to the more peaceful central and southern sides of the beach, it involves looking for the not-so-visible trail and a not-so-easy climb on your return.
The drive from Lisbon takes about 40 minutes, while by public transportation it can take as much as 90 minutes, due to the different connections.
Praia da Adiça starts where the parking lot of Fonte da Telha ends
Other Beaches by Praia da Adiça
Other nude beaches are within walking distance of Praia da Adiça. Walk north along the sea for about 30 minutes and you’ll reach Praia 19 and Praia da Bela Vista. The first one is known as a “gay beach,” while the other was one of Portugal’s first nude beaches and has the advantage of having a restaurant. Continue north and you’ll have the entire coastline of Costa da Caparica, with trendy bars and plenty of space.
If you walk south instead, you’ll reach the beach of Lagoa de Albufeira in about one hour, while further south is the famous nude beach of Meco.
Hotels by Praia da Adiça
Aroeira Lisbon Hotel - Sea & Golf Resort
The closest hotel to Praia da Adiça is about 10 minutes away by car. Technically, it’s not impossible to walk, taking less than one hour. It’s a contemporary hotel surrounded by pine trees and built with natural materials. It features spacious rooms with balconies, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant. In the summer, a free shuttle takes guests to the beach of Fonte da Telha, from where you can easily walk to Praia da Adiça.
Fonte da Telha Beach Hostel
A good budget option nearby is this hostel located above the beach of Fonte da Telha, so within walking distance of Praia da Adiça. It has mixed dorms as well as a double room with shared bathroom. Guests also share the kitchen and lounge.