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Seeking the cultural satisfaction of a city break and the relaxation of a beach break? Make a beeline for Lisbon. When you’re ready to swap sightseeing for sea, sand and sun, there’s a host of beaches in easy reach via public transport (all of which can be accessed for free on trains and buses with the money-saving Lisboa Card). Time to top up the tan, people.

Carcavelos Beach, Carcavelos

The Lowdown: Less than 30 minutes by train from Lisbon, Carcavelos Beach is a favourite for both locals and tourists. Carcavelos combines sunbathing comfort, activities and culinary delights, with more than a mile of golden sands, excellent waves for surfing and bodyboarding, a lively promenade of cafes and restaurants, plus kiosks for hiring beach and water sports equipment. At one end of the beach is the Fort of São Julião da Barra, which once guarded the entrance to the River Tagus from enemy ships, and is still one of Portugal’s largest maritime fortifications.

Getting There: The train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station to Carcavelos takes 26 minutes, with a short walk from the station to the beach.

Praia da Conceição and Praia de Duquesa, Cascais

The Lowdown: In the heart of Cascais, the beaches of Praia da Conceição and Praia de Duquesa are only separated at high tide, and together they combine convenience with charm. Easily accessible from Lisbon and sheltered from the Atlantic waves, this stretch offers calm waters and a family-friendly atmosphere, with a large inflatable for kids to swim out to and clamber over during the summer months, plus a range of amenities and dining options nearby, all helping to make this one of the region’s most popular beaches.

Getting There: The Cascais train from Cais do Sodré station takes around 40 minutes, and the beach is less than 5-minutes walk from the final stop.

Praia do Tamariz, Estoril

The Lowdown: Located in the stylish resort of Estoril, once a holiday favourite of Portugal’s King Luís I, Praia do Tamariz is a golden sand beach that is ideal for families, with calm waters, rock pools, and a small salt-water swimming pool that provides a warmer option for children. Estoril’s cafes and restaurants are within easy reach, and nearby attractions include Casino Estoril, where Ian Fleming found inspiration for the James Bond adventure, Casino Royale, and a 17th century castle, Forte da Cruz.

Getting There: The train from Cais Do Sodre in Lisbon to Estoril takes less than 40 minutes, and the beach is a short walk from the station.

Costa da Caparica

The Lowdown: Just 10km to the south west of Lisbon, on the south side of the River Tagus, the Costa da Caparica has a 25 km sandy coastline favoured by families and surfers. Public transport takes travellers to the town of the same name, where there are sands with calm waters and extensive amenities. There are more remote beaches further down the coast, so visitors can catch the mini-train, Transpraia, which runs from the beginning of June to the end of September, with 21 stops at more southerly sands.

Getting There: Take the 3710 bus from Areeiro in Lisbon to the town of Costa Caparica, for a 55 minute journey to the northernmost beaches.

Praia da Figueirinha, Arrábida Natural Park

The Lowdown: Praia da Figueirinha is the biggest beach in the Arrábida Natural Park, and the only one with direct bus access from nearby Setúbal. This beach is a great choice for families, with shallow waters, a sandbar to swim out to, lifeguards and a dramatic hilly backdrop.

Getting There: There are trains and express buses running from Lisbon to Setúbal, with similar travel times and fares. Once at Setúbal, take the 723 bus which runs from mid-June to mid-September, and gets passengers to Praia da Figueirinha in around 25 minutes.

Praia da Ursa, Sintra

The Lowdown: For those seeking solitude, Praia da Ursa is a wild and remote beach next to the Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe. The beach is only accessible via a hiking trail, and it’s a secluded spot known for its rugged cliffs and unique rock formations, including a bear-shaped sea stack. Ideal for nature lovers, it provides a peaceful retreat for sunbathing and exploring natural rock pools, though swimming is not recommended due to strong currents. Its seclusion also means that Praia da Ursa is an unofficial naturist beach.

Getting There: Take the train for a 40-minute journey from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station to Cascais, and then catch the bus to Cabo da Roca.

About the Lisboa Card

The Lisboa Card enables free travel by bus, metro, tram, and funicular, plus CP train lines to Sintra and Cascais, and free entrance to 51 museums, monuments and UNESCO World Heritage sites, and discounts on tours, shopping, and nightlife. There are 24, 48 and 72 hr options available. More info here.