Beaches of Cascais and Estoril
The charming town of Cascais, on the Lisbon Coast, offers a variety of beaches to satisfy every taste. Here you will find quiet, secluded coves and crowded, busy, city beaches. Whether you are looking for a family friendly beach with easy access and good infrastructure or a wild, windy surf beach, Cascais has it all!
See the overview of beaches in Cascais-Estoril area.
Praia de Santa Marta – charming rocky beach near the marina
Characteristics: tranquile, picturesque, rocky
Adjacent to the Cascais Marina, the Santa Marta Beach is very cosy and perfect if you are not a fan of sand between your toes. Depending on the lever of water, there can be very little, to none sand strip. The beach is in fact a rocky inlet, separated in two sections by a bridge – see map.
It’s northernmost part can be accessed from the nearby Marechal Carona park. Despite the very romantic location – the beach ends at the end of a beautiful palace, be prepared there will be almost no water during the low-tide. The solution is to move to the other side of the bridge, where you can enjoy great views of Casa Santa Marta estate and the Santa Marta lighthouse.
Whenever you get tired of lazing around in the sun, here is a variety of attractions within a short walk from the beach, amongst them the marina, with its selection of fine restaurants, cafés and souvenir stores, the lovely shady park, where free-range peacocks, cockerels and ducks are permanent residents and the Santa Marta lighthouse, incorporated into a design hotel.
The Fisherman’s Beach – in front of Hotel Baia
Characteristics: children-friendly beach in the centre of Cascais
© Photo: Lisbon-cheap-car-hire.co.uk
The most central of Cascais beaches is located in front of the prominent Baia Hotel – see map. The Fisherman’s Beach (in Portuguese Praia do Pescador, although Praia da Ribeira is another name, used interchangeably) is a safe, sheltered beach, with a reasonably-sized sand strip and quiet waters, adequate for the youngest holidaymakers. As the name indicates, however, it is the beach used by the fishermen and the fish waste from their boats may sometimes turn the waters less appealing for a swim, being an official bathing prohibition, sometimes, in place.
On the plus side, on the Fisherman Beach you are in the centre of Cascais tourist life, with easy access to restaurants, ice-cream parlours and souvenir shops.
Praia da Rainha – a beach with a rock
Characteristics: central, friendly and busy
© Photo: Lisbon-cheap-car-hire.co.uk
Also in Cascais centre you will find a small, yet very popular amongst both locals and tourists, beach known as Praia da Rainha, which translate as ‘The Queen’s Beach’ – see map.
Surrounded by cliffs and having a large rock sitting in the middle of it, it used to be a private beach of Queen Amelia, the last queen consort of Portugal.
This beach is located just below the pedestrian promenade, lines with restaurants and cafes. Street musicians often performing here provide additional entertainment.
Paredão – the seafront promenade between Cascais and Estoril
The nearly 2 miles long promenade connecting Cascais to the nearby Estoril, or more precisely, São João de Estoril, is a perfect spot for a sunset walk by the sea. It will also take you along he beautiful coast and its numerous beaches, outside of the strict Cascais city centre. Paredão, as it is called by the locals, is a favourite spot for joggers; there is also exercise equipment distributed along the way.
Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa
Characteristics: good-sized, central beaches with plenty of activities
Praia da Conceição is the first beach on the seafront promenade. Together with the adjacent Praia da Duquesa (The Dutchess Beach) it provides the greatest selection of beach activities in Cascais.
Apart from the giant floating bouncy castle, available during the tourist season, you will find here diving and stand up paddle surf schools. At Praia da Duquesa you can also arrange for a banana ride or rent a pedal boat.
Sunbeds and umbrellas are available to rent and the both beaches are lined with restaurants and bars.
Ocean pool – Piscina Oceanica Alberto Romano
Characteristics: safe for children and sand-free
© Photo: Lisbon-cheap-car-hire.co.uk
The ocean pool, created by a cement structure along a rocky coast is perfect for an ocean swim without getting covered in sand. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented, if you need extra comfort, and a nearby restaurant offers a variety of delicious Portuguese dishes, as well as quick snacks. See where to find piscina oceanica.
Praia das Moitas – a surf spot in Cascais
Characteristics: good for surf
Amongst the fairly sheltered beaches of Cascais, the Moitas Beach is the one closest to the city centre to offer conditions for surf.
On windy days the waves here are usually high enough to attract the enthusiasts of this sport. For the ‘real deal’, however, take a trip to Guincho Beach, outside Cascais, considered one of the best surf and kitesurf beaches in Europe.
See Praia das Moitas on the map.
Praia do Tamariz – facing Estoril Casino and gardens
Characteristics: Large, sandy, family-friendly, easy access
Tamariz Beach is the general name given to the large strip of sand along the Estoril coast.
Due to its substantial length, the beach can easily be divided in different sectors, most of which share one characteristic: an easy access and a gentle slope. The beach is scenic, well maintained and there is a variety of restaurants along it. Expect rather inflated prices, though, as Estoril is considered a quaint location. Venturing a bit further into town may make a huge difference on your wallet.
Tamariz Beach is just off the Estoril train station. Estoril Casino and gardens are across the street – see map.
Daytrip from Lisbon to Cascais
Cascais is a great daytrip destination from Lisbon. Access is easy with the suburban train. The distance of about 22 miles can be covered in 30-40 minutes and the train runs every 20-30 minutes. The price of a single trip is EUR 2.15, plus the one-time expense of 0,50 EUR for the Viva Viagem rechargeable card. In Lisbon, the train to Cascais departs from Cais do Sodré station.
When traveling by car, you can either take the A5 highway or the scenic coastal road N6, also known as Marginal.
