Escape then, perhaps with children in tow, to one of the many nearby beaches that beckon, allowing you that perfect blend of culture and coast to make the ultimate summer escape.
Praia de Carcavelos
The easier a beach is to access, the more crowded it inevitably gets – and this EEC Blue Flag example is no exception. It is, however, also the largest expanse of sand (beautifully fine sand, at that) on the Estoril coast, with the São Julião da Barra Fort dominating it at one end.
Praia de Carcavelos offers a plethora of entertainment options, from water sports to beach volleyball and rounders, and surfing is also popular – although it tends to come into its own in the winter when the waves are fiercer.
There is an excellent selection of restaurants and bars nearby – easier than trying to spread out on the busy beach with a picnic – and the options are endless, from sushi and pizza to traditional Portuguese plates of clams or octopus, garlic prawns or the catch of the day, served grilled with a drizzle of olive oil. Those merely in search of a coffee and a pastel de nata should try Mistral Café, right on the beach itself.
How to get there
Direct trains run frequently from Lisbon’s Cais de Sodré station to Carcavelos throughout the day (26 minutes; cp.pt). From there, it is a 10-minute walk to the beach. If driving, there is plenty of parking nearby; the route takes 25 minutes.© Provided by The Telegraph portugal beach holidays - Getty
Costa da Caprica
This long coast of dazzling white-sand beaches lies just 20 minutes south of Lisbon, meaning it is ideal for a day trip. Praia de Princesa, with its eponymous beach restaurant, is much frequented by expats and chic Lisbonites – especially at the weekend sunset parties – while just along the coast lies the more casual Praia da Morena, much sought after by families as the sea creates small lagoons for paddling. There’s a good restaurant here, too – Borda D’Água, whose white-on-white interiors spill out onto the beach where thatched umbrellas await for shady siestas.
Last but by no means least is west-facing Praia de São João, where sand dunes and beach grass frame smart beachside restaurants (try Clássico and Pé Nú, where DJs pull in the crowds), as well as excellent sunsets.
How to get there
Buses to the town of Capariça leave from bus stations in Sete Rios, Marques de Pombal, Cais de Sodré and outside Alcântara-Terra station going over the Ponte 25 de Abril. Alternatively, an Uber won’t cost you more than €20 and should take about 20 minutes if there is no traffic. © Provided by The Telegraph Where to eat in Lisbon
Praia do Tamariz
Some 15 miles west of Lisbon lies the trendy, elegant oasis of Estoril, with its tall palm trees and famously grand houses. Here, spies once gathered to plan and plot during the Second World War, basing themselves at the old Palácio Estoril – a frequent haunt of author Ian Fleming, who drew on his time there when writing Casino Royale.
Take the train from Lisbon and, just beyond the little track, you will find Tamariz Beach – loved by local revellers, who drift onto the sand in the early morning to clear their heads with a dip in the sea, before reappearing after the sun sets to dance at the Tamariz Beach Club, cocktails in hand. Those who prefer to keep their toes sand-free head for local restaurant Reverse, where there is a swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and, as evening falls, an open-air dancefloor. This is a fun, colourful beach, perfect for an afternoon of people-watching after a morning of sightseeing.
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