Bathed by the Atlantic ocean, Portugal is a country blessed with a long coastline. It is full of lovely seaside towns along the whole coast, featuring fabulous golden sand beaches and great seafood restaurants.
Bathed by the Atlantic ocean, Portugal is a country blessed with a long coastline. It is full of lovely seaside towns along the whole coast, featuring fabulous golden sand beaches and great seafood restaurants.
Lisbon is a city located between the Tagus River and the ocean, being the only European capital with Atlantic beaches. Its coast has a huge variety of the best beaches for all kinds of tastes. In the outskirts of this bustling metropolis, you can find some of the most beautiful seaside towns in Portugal. From charming fishing villages to high-end resort towns, Lisbon’s surroundings are full of great places to explore, being among the most sought-after destinations in the country.
You can easily take the Linha de Cascais train and have an amazing adventure in some of the gorgeous seaside towns in Portugal near Lisbon.
Here are our suggestions:
1.Cascais
The 30km coastal city of Cascais is a Portuguese paradise. Inserted in a natural setting that unites the beauty of Serra de Sintra and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean, the tourist city is famous for its countless beaches.
Cascais was once the summer destination of the Portuguese royal families, being endowed with beautiful architecture that takes us back to the monarchist past of Portugal.
The city is approximately 35km from Lisbon and is accessible by public transport at the cost of €4.50 round-trip ticket through the Trains of Portugal.
In Cascais, you should visit the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, which functions as a library museum and has historical collections that belonged to the former owners of the property; Casa de Santa Maria, a beautiful building with numerous artistic elements that are part of its architectural ensemble, including a large number of Portuguese tiles; Casas das Histórias Paula Rego and the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum.
Finally, you can´t miss watching the sunset over Boca do Inferno, where you’ll have the chance to enjoy nature’s beauty.
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2. Estoril
During World War II, Estoril gained the reputation of one of the best spots of the royalty and the idle rich and continues to maintain its pretensions of being a “Portuguese Riviera” – with grand villas and luxury hotels.
It is no surprise that tourist life here is mainly focused on golf courses and in the casino - Casino Estoril. Once inside, you will find roulette tables, table games, slots, a concert hall, restaurants, shops, and even an art gallery.
The casino is located at the end of Parque do Estoril, a beautiful stretch of fountains and exotic trees surrounded by bars and restaurants.
This is where the James Bond character was born. During World War II, Portugal assumed a neutral position in the conflict and several American reports called Lisbon the “Capital of Espionage”.
Nearby the casino, you can find Praia do Tamoriz, with its fine sand, supported by a promenade that extends all the way to Cascais.
3. Parede
Parede is a parish in the municipality of Cascais, limited to the south by the Atlantic Ocean - Cascais Bay, to the east by the parish of Carcavelos, to the north by the parish of São Domingos de Rana and to the west by the parish of Estoril.
Its main attraction is the beaches, which, with an exceptionally rich climate in iodine, are ideal for those with bone problems seeking treatment.
Also noteworthy is the family friendly Morais Park, which, although not very extensive, is very well preserved and has an area dedicated to the little ones, equipped with renovated and safe recreational equipment.
With access from the pleasant Avenida Marginal, Parede has an area of very pleasant villas on the seaside, and in the centre, a lot of local shops are worth exploring.
4. Carcavelos
Carcavelos is the longest beach on the Cascais coastline. It is a lively spot for summer or sunny winter walks. From Carcavelos train station, it is a ten-minute walk through the wide Avenida Jorge V until you get to the beach.
There are plenty of cafes and bars on the waterfront, on the beach promenade, such as Pérola bar, with affordable prices and beautiful views over the sea.
You should also try visiting Carcavelos on a Thursday morning, which is when the city hosts its famous big market.
5. Oeiras
After Belém, the first interesting suburb is Oeiras, where the Tagus River officially turns into the sea. The riverside walkways have been recently improved and the beach cleaned, but most people still prefer to swim in the Oeiras Ocean Pool.
Another good reason to visit Oeiras is the Palace of the Marquês de Pombal and its garden. Marquês de Pombal was one of the greatest European statesmen of the 18th century.
As you pass the Concordia room, you can see the image on the ceiling and notice that Marquês de Pombal appears in the middle of his two brothers, united in a fraternal alliance, as they all held important positions in the kingdom. The chapel of Nossa Senhora da Mercês of the palace is also a true work of art of enormous elegance.
Explore our Oeiras Guide here.
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7. Paço de Arcos
Paço de Arcos is a lovely small town located next to Oeiras, that has suffered a big urban development in the past century, which have changed its rural and fishing characteristics.
In fact, throughout the years, Paço de Arcos has lived mainly of its fertile soils and seafood provided by the Tagus river and the Atlantic ocean.
The Paço de Arcos beach was considered, in the middle of the 20th century, one of the most luxurious beaches of the Lisbon area, along with others from the Cascais and Estoril coast, therefore counting with an extraordinary heritage of gracious houses and small palaces.
The lovely Historical Centre of Paço de Arcos has a wide variety of restaurants and some interesting monuments, like Nossa Senhora das Dores Church, Flor da Murta Palace, Quinta do Jardim Manor House and several fortifications that, for many years, defended the Portuguese coast and the strategic entrance to Lisboa through the Tagus river.
Nowadays, Paço de Arcos is essentially a small town dedicated to commerce and services, where some of the most important national and international companies have their headquarters and offices, without, however, losing its charm of a relaxed and welcoming small town.
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