One of the best things about visiting Lisbon Portugal is how quickly you can swap city streets for golden sand beaches, Atlantic waves, and dramatic coastal scenery. Whether you want an easy train ride to a calm urban beach, a surf escape, or a scenic adventure to hidden coves, many of Portugal’s best beaches are reachable without a car. After spending a large portion of each year based in the Lisbon area, we are sharing some of our favorites beaches that can be reached by public transport. Below is a guide to the best beaches accessible from Lisbon Portugal by train, bus, ferry, or a combination of public transport, ranked by time.
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Best Lisbon Portugal Beaches by Public Transport (Ranked by Time)
| Beach | Best for | Time from Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Praia de Santo Amaro and Praia da Torre | Families, easy beach day, calm water | 25 min |
| Carcavelos Beach | Surfing, beach bars, social beach days | 25 min |
| Praia de São Pedro do Estoril | Relaxed vibe, swimming, fewer crowds | 35 min |
| Praia Tamariz | Stylish beach day, cafés, promenade walks | 35 min |
| Praia da Conceição, Praia da Duquesa | Cascais day trip, calm water, town access | 40 min |
| Costa da Caparica Beaches | Long sandy beaches, surf, beach clubs | 40-50 min |
| Praia do Guincho | Dramatic scenery, windsurfing, nature | 45-55 min |
| Praia das Maçãs | Family beach day, scenic trip, restaurants | 1 hr 15 min |
| Ericeira Beaches | Surf town vibes, seafood, weekend trip | 1 hr 15 min |
| Praia da Adraga | Photography, cliffs, scenic lunch spots | 1 hr 20 min |
| Praia da Ursa | Adventure, epic views, hiking | 1 hr 20 min + hike |
| Praia do Creiro and Praia dos Galapinhos | Calm turquoise water, swimming, scenery | 1 hr 30 min |
| Tróia Peninsula Beaches | Peaceful escape, long sands, clear water | 1 hr 40 min |
| Peniche Beaches | Surf trips, rugged coast, weekend getaway | 1 hr 30 min – 2 hrs |
What to Expect: Water Temperature at Lisbon Beaches
One thing many first-time visitors to Lisbon Portugal beaches should know is that Atlantic water temperatures are cooler than in the Mediterranean. Even on hot summer days, the ocean around Lisbon can feel refreshing rather than warm.
| Season | Average Water Temperature |
|---|---|
| Winter | 14–16°C (57–61°F) |
| Spring | 15–18°C (59–64°F) |
| Summer | 18–21°C (64–70°F) |
| Fall | 17–20°C (63–68°F) |
1. Praia de Santo Amaro and Praia da Torre Oeiras
- Why go: One of the Lisbon beaches most easily reached by public transport, these beaches have typically calm water, family-friendly sands, and a marina nearby.
- How to get there: Take the Cascais Line train from Cais do Sodré Station to Santo Amaro de Oeiras (about 20 minutes), then walk 5 minutes to the beach.
2. Carcavelos Beach
- Why Go: Carcavelos is a spacious and lively beach with golden sands and great waves for surfing. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists, offering excellent facilities, beach bars, and rental services for surfing equipment.
- How to get there: Take the Cascais Line train from Cais do Sodré station in Lisbon. The journey takes about 20 minutes, and Carcavelos station is just a short walk from the beach
3. Praia de São Pedro do Estoril, Estoril
- Why go: A relaxed local favorite with scenic cliffs, easier swimming, and fewer crowds than Carcavelos.
- How to get there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré to São Pedro do Estoril (about 30 minutes), then walk 3 minutes.
On your way to or from the beach, stop by one of our favorite brunch spots, Fauna and Flora Estoril.
4. Praia Tamariz, Estoril
- Why go: Elegant beach beside Estoril’s promenade, casino gardens, and cafés. Great for combining beach time with town strolling.
- How to get there: Take the train from Cais do Sodré to Estoril (about 32 minutes), then walk 2 minutes.
5. Praia da Duquesa and Praia da Conceição, Cascais
- Why Go: Located in the charming coastal town of Cascais, Praia da Duquesne offers calm waters and a beautiful sandy stretch, ideal for families and those looking to relax.
- How to Get There: Also accessible by the Cascais Line train from Cais do Sodré. The trip takes about 35 minutes, and the beach is a short stroll from the Cascais station.
READ NEXT–> Best Beaches in Cascais and Sintra
6. Costa da Caparica Beaches
- Why Go: Costa da Caparica is a long stretch of sandy beaches, divided into various sections, each catering to different crowds, from families to surfers. It’s known for its laid-back vibe and beach bars, perfect for sunset views.
- How to Get There: Take bus 161 from Praça de Espanha in Lisbon. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Costa da Caparica. Once there, a mini train (during summer) runs along the beach to access various spots.
7. Praia do Guincho
- Why Go: Praia do Guincho is a favorite for windsurfing and kitesurfing, thanks to its windy conditions. The beach is surrounded by sand dunes and a dramatic rocky coastline, giving it a wild, untouched feel. Enjoy a drink or a meal at Bar do Guincho, while taking in the views.
- How to Get There: Take the train to Cascais and then transfer to bus 405 or 415 to Guincho. The total travel time is about an hour.
Pro Tip: For a more active day trip, take the train to Cascais, rent bikes at the train station, and bike the 8 km path to Guincho Beach. This is a great way to get off the main tourist path in Lisbon.
8. Praia das Maçãs
- Why Go: Praia das Maçãs offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and is famous for its clear waters and scenic landscape. The beach area also has charming cafés and local restaurants serving fresh seafood.
- How to Get There: Take a train from Lisbon’s Rossio station to Sintra. From Sintra, transfer to the quaint Sintra tram that takes you directly to Praia das Maçãs. This scenic tram ride is an experience in itself and adds to the adventure, also quickly taking you off the beaten path in Sintra.
9. Ericeira
- Why Go: Ericeira is a picturesque fishing village and a world-renowned surfing reserve. The area boasts several beaches, each with its own charm, from surf-friendly spots like Ribeira d’Ilhas to family-friendly Foz do Lizandro.
- How to Get There: Take a bus from Lisbon’s Campo Grande terminal to Ericeira. The journey takes about 1 hour, making it an easy day trip.
10. Praia da Adraga
- Why Go: For a more rugged and scenic experience, Praia da Adraga offers dramatic cliffs, caves, and a more secluded feel. It’s a photographer’s dream and ideal for a peaceful day.
- How to Get There: Take a train from Lisbon’s Rossio station to Sintra, then hop on bus 403 to Almoçageme. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk to the beach.
Pro Tip: For those looking for a coastal hike, it’s a short hike from Praia da Adraga to Praia da Ursa (below), or to the dinosaur tracks above Praia Grande to the north.
11. Praia da Ursa, Sintra Coast
- Why go: Spectacular hidden beach below cliffs near Cabo da Roca, ideal for adventurous travelers.
- How to get to Praia da Ursa: Train from Rossio to Sintra, then bus to Cabo da Roca (about 40 minutes from Sintra), then hike 25–35 minutes down steep trail.
Pro Tip: The hikes to Praia da Ursa is quite steep and slippery. We do not recommend this for inexperienced hikers.
12. Praia do Creiro, Praia dos Galpinhos
- Why go: Calm turquoise waters in the stunning Arrábida Natural Park. A few of the prettiest swimming beaches near Lisbon.
- Galpinhos is frequently ranked among Europe’s most beautiful beaches thanks to crystal-clear water and lush hillside scenery
- How to get there: Train from Lisbon to Setúbal (about 50 minutes), then taxi or seasonal bus (20–25 minutes).
13. Tróia Peninsula
- Why Go: Known for its white sandy beaches, Tróia is a beautiful destination for those looking to escape the crowds. Its turquoise waters and calm setting make it ideal for a peaceful retreat.
- How to Get There: Take a bus or train from Lisbon to Setúbal. From Setúbal, board the ferry that crosses over to Tróia. The ferry journey is scenic and allows you to enjoy the views of the Arrábida Mountains.
While Tróia has a resort-like atmosphere, Comporta, located just down the peninsula, has a much more laidback vibe. Public transport is quite indirect to Comporta. We've found it easier to rent bikes (or e-bikes) in Setúbal, take the ferry to Tróia, and bike the remaining stretch to Comporta.
14. Peniche Beaches
- Why Go: Peniche is a surfer’s paradise, home to renowned beaches like Praia dos Supertubos, which hosts international surfing competitions. It’s also known for its stunning coastal views, lighthouses, and relaxed beach town vibe.
- How to Get There: The easiest way to reach Peniche from Lisbon is via the Flixbus, which departs from the Sete Rios bus terminal. The journey takes around 1.5 hours.
Tips for Visiting Lisbon Portugal Beaches by Public Transport
- Timing: Weekends and holidays can get busy, so consider visiting on a weekday for a more relaxed experience. Summer in general is more crowded than the remainder of the year.
- Tickets: Purchase a Navegante card to make train and bus travel in the Lisbon area easier. It’s reloadable and works on all major public transport lines.
- Packing Light: Remember that you’ll need to carry everything with you, so pack essentials and try to travel light.
- Dining: Many beaches have great cafés and bars, but bringing snacks and water is always a good idea, especially for more remote beaches. We've included notes on those beaches without facilities.
With this guide, you’re all set to discover the stunning beaches around Lisbon Portugal without the hassle of renting a car and struggling to find parking. Grab your sun hat and sunscreen, and get ready for a memorable day at one of these beautiful beaches!
Lisbon Area Planning Resources
- Top Tips for Renting a Car in Portugal
- Top Activities in Lisbon Off the Beaten Path
- Top Activities in Sintra Off the Beaten Path
- Best Cities in Portugal, Which Should You Visit?
- Best UNESCO World Heritage Sites near Lisbon
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Travel Resources
We recommend booking through our preferred travel booking sites below.
| Air Travel | SkyScanner |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com, TakeWalks.com, Tinggly.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | RailEurope |
| Bus tickets | Busbud |
Some of the beaches look like Australian beaches so I think I will be right at home!
Glad to hear this!
Two years ago, we had a trip to Portugal, but our flight got cancelled! One thing we really wanted to do there was check out a nearby. We plan to rebook our trip to Lisbon at some point, so we’ll save this for future reference.
Sorry your first trip was cancelled! Hope you’re able to make it to Portugal.
It’s great to see options for enjoying a beach day near Lisbon without needing a car, which can make trips much more relaxing & accessible. Public transport makes it so easy to plan a day by the water, whether it’s a short escape or a full-day outing.
I agree. Taking public transport to the beach means not having to worry about traffic or driving, which can be stressful around Lisbon.
As a beach lover, I find this article very useful!
There’s so many opportunities to try new beaches! Love that they’re so easy to get to!
Hope you have a chance to explore some of these beaches!
Hope you have a chance to explore some of these beaches!
This is such a helpful guide, especially for travelers visiting Lisbon without a car! I love how you ranked the beaches by travel time because that makes planning so much easier. Carcavelos and Costa da Caparica both look amazing, but Praia do Guincho sounds incredible for dramatic scenery. The water temperature section is super useful too since many people probably expect warmer Mediterranean-style water. Portugal really has some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Europe!
Thank you for the feedback. The water temperature definitely comes as a surprise to many visitors.
Lots of wonderful choices, and it’s great to see how accessible these beaches are by public transport, with the use of topup card. Some of the scenery looks absolutely stunning as well, making a lovely way to experience more of the coastline beyond the city.
Thank you for the feedback!
This looks like a great selection of beaches. Good for every taste. I’d like to visit both those with good infrastructure and those that are more remote but offer stunning views. I wish the water temperature were a little warmer, though. This might be too cold for me to swim, but splashing and walking around would work, too.
The water temperature is quite chilly without a wetsuit, though I don’t mind it in late summer and early fall. Before that, I tend to only swim with a wetsuit.
So many beautiful beaches near Lisbon, I would love to explore some and just walk around. But Cascais is also amazing.
Cascais and Sintra have some of my personal favorite beaches, but I also enjoy the easy access to the beaches closer to Lisbon, along the Tagus River.
This is great information! I visited Lisbon last summer and would have loved to know there was beaches so close!
Hope you have a chance to visit again in the future.
What a useful guide! And good to know so many beautiful beaches are accessible by public transport
It’s so handy to be able to reach the beaches by train or bus, especially for the many visitors in town without a car.
Lisbon looks a like a marvelous holiday!
I loved seeing all the beaches accessible by train from Lisbon.
Glad you had a chance to visit Lisbon’s beaches!