Lisbon's best Blue Flag beaches: travelling the coastline

You don't have to head all the way south to find excellent beaches. If you're visiting or living in Lisbon, you have some brilliant Portuguese Blue Flag beaches just a short train ride away. It’s incredibly easy to hop on the train at Cais do Sodré station and be on the sand in less than half an hour.

Carcavelos, Cascais

Carcavelos is the quintessential big Lisbon beach – a massive sweep of sand with a brilliant, buzzy atmosphere. It’s the go-to spot for surf schools, so if you're looking to learn to surf in Portugal, the gentle, reliable waves are ideal. The promenade is lined with cafés and restaurants, and you’ll often find it has a young, studenty vibe, especially in the late afternoon. It can get packed on a sunny weekend, but because it's so vast, you can usually find a spot to call your own. 

To get there, just take the Cascais line train from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos station; the beach is an easy 10-minute walk from there.

Lisbon Beaches Guide

Santo Amaro, Oeiras

This is a proper town beach, the largest in Oeiras and a real hub for locals. Because it's tucked into the mouth of the Tagus estuary, the water is typically very calm, making it a safe bet for a dip. The wide, sandy shore is bordered by a lovely promenade that's great for a stroll and, because it’s floodlit, it’s famous for evening volleyball games that go on late into the night. 

Getting there couldn't be simpler; take the Cascais line train from Cais do Sodré and get off at Santo Amaro de Oeiras station, which is just a few minutes' walk away.

São Pedro do Estoril, Cascais

Sandwiched between cliffs, this beach has a much more local, intimate feel than its neighbours. The shoreline is framed by some really interesting layered rock formations. Plus, at low tide, it's brilliant for exploring the little rock pools that appear. The waves are often just right for beginner surfers in Portugal who want to avoid the crowds at Carcavelos. 

To get there, take the Cascais line train from Cais do Sodré to São Pedro do Estoril station; an underpass from the platform leads you straight onto the sand.

Rúdisicyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Creative commons

Moitas, Cascais

Just a short stroll from the bustle of the upmarket resort of Cascais, Praia das Moitas is a lovely little sandy cove right on the famous paredão walkway. As one of the first Blue Flag spots you'll find heading towards Estoril, its main attraction is the brilliant 'Piscina Oceânica' right beside it – a large, natural seawater swimming pool perfect for a calm dip without the waves. A word of warning though, the beach itself is quite small and can almost disappear at high tide, so it’s worth timing your visit. 

To get there, simply walk east from the main beaches in Cascais along the seaside promenade.

Guincho, Cascais

Guincho is a world away from the calm city beaches; this place is wild, rugged, and almost always windy. That wind makes it a spectacular spot for kitesurfing and windsurfing, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It even had a cameo in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. But be aware, the strong gusts and currents mean it's not the best for a casual swim or sunbathe unless you enjoy a light sand exfoliation with your book. 

It’s best reached by car, but you can also catch the number 5 or 15 bus from Cascais, one of the best coastal towns in Portugal.

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São João da Caparica, Almada

Head across the bridge and you'll find the start of the glorious Costa da Caparica. São João is one of its first beaches, offering a huge expanse of golden sand that never feels too crowded. It's lined with fantastic, laid-back restaurants and bars right on the dunes, giving it a really relaxed vibe that’s great for families looking for child-friendly beaches in Portugal. People love grabbing a table at one of the beach bars for sunset. 

The easiest way to get there is by driving over the 25 de Abril Bridge, but for a more scenic trip, take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then hop on the 3011 bus directly to the coast.

Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0 Flickr

Monte Velho, Porto de Carretas 

As one of the newcomers to the 2025 Blue Flag list, this beach on the Santo André coast is a perfect example of the Alentejo's raw beauty. It's a huge, open stretch of sand that feels wonderfully remote and is part of a protected nature reserve, so don't expect rows of sunbeds and cafés. It's the kind of place you go to escape the crowds and just enjoy the sound of the waves. Even in August, you might only share it with a handful of people. 

It’s best reached by car, about a 90-minute drive south from Lisbon.

Torre, Oeiras

This is a truly unique spot – a small, sheltered cove sitting right under the imposing 16th-century walls of the Forte de São Julião da Barra. The massive fort provides a stunning backdrop and also protects the beach from the wind, resulting in calm, clear water that feels like a natural swimming pool. It’s a favourite for local families with young children, so it can get busy. 

To reach it, take the Cascais train to Oeiras station, then enjoy the 15-minute walk along the seafront path towards the fort.

Vitor Oliveira, CC BY-SA 2.0 Creative commons