20 “secret” beaches to discover in and around Lisbon

Welcome to the secret beaches in Lisbon, but also those that are very “close” to the city, so you can get there in the blink of an eye.

The list of beaches around Lisbon is quite extensive, whether on the coast, on the Linha in Sintra or in Arrábida, but today we’ll leave you with the ones that impressed us the most, both for their natural beauty and for the fact that they are unknown to many.

As these beaches are less crowded, they can offer you a much more peaceful and natural experience.

However, after this article,vacationers like you may become a little more curious and run – or swim – there to get to know them better.

We, and all those who already know these true paradises, ask only that you respect the tranquillity, because only in this way can they continue to be true sanctuaries of well-being.

Ribeiro do Cavalo beach in Sesimbra

Close to Cape Espichel, it was an almost wild beach for years, but today it is becoming more popular with bathers and the curious, who don’t mind making the difficult journey to get there (or taking a boat).

With no human hands, no security guards and no ice-cream stalls (nature lovers will thank you), it has a relatively long stretch of sand and still offers incredible scenery, the kind that is a hit on social media.

Rosário Beach, in Moita

From Lisbon, you can reach this river beach on the Tagus, in the municipality of Moita, in around 45 minutes (if the traffic helps).

With around 1 kilometer of sand, it has beach facilities, a summer library, showers, a picnic area and a children’s playground.

Next to the river, there is also a restaurant, Baía Tejo, with good views and a menu of tempting dishes.

Alpertucho Beach, in Arrábida

Surrounded by the green of the mountains, this is one of the smallest secret beaches in this guide, with lots of rocks and pebbles and very little sand.

The waters are clear and transparent, while the temperature doesn’t usually exceed 18º.

Access is via a discreet dirt track before the Hydrographic Museum. Another secret that few know.

Praia Fluvial do Alamal, in Gavião

The scenery alone makes the narrow, winding road that leads there worthwhile .

The surrounding vegetation, but above all the Belver Castle, on the other side of the Tagus, at the top of the slope, invite you to enjoy the views before taking a dip.

Although very popular in the warmer months, the long sandy beach (compared to other river beaches) and the grassy areas have room for everyone.

Azenhas do Mar beach in Sintra

Azenhas do Mar beach is one of the picture postcards of the municipality of Sintra, with its little white houses running down the cliff to the sea.

The sand is tiny (sometimes it even disappears), but you’re guaranteed a dip in the natural pool.

A trip to the viewpoint up there is also a must, as is a visit to the Azenhas do Mar restaurant, which offers incredible views and delicious dishes.

Ursa Beach in Sintra

It may no longer be one of Sintra’s secret beaches (Instagram says so), but it’s still one of the wildest and undoubtedly the most beautiful.

The cliffs that surround it and, above all, the two large rocks that resist the force of the sea, named Pedra da Ursa and Gigante, are its greatest attractions , as is the beach itself, of course.

Getting down to the sand is almost an adventure (it can take around an hour), but the natural beauty and tranquillity of this beach make up for the difficulty of the journey.

On rainy days, a small waterfall forms here, caused by the waters of the Ribeira da Ursa.

Cova da Mijona Beach, in Sesimbra

Also known as Praia da Mijona or Praia do Ilhau, this is one of the secret beaches that is difficult to access and is located in the heart of the Serra da Arrábida.

To get there, you have to go down a trail dug into the ravine, which ends in a deserted sandy beach, where you can see a curious house that once served as a shelter for fishermen.

Blue Lake, in Ferreira do Zêzere

Officially it’s called Praia Fluvial da Castanheira, but everyone knows it as Lago Azul (Blue Lake ), thanks to the inn of the same name next door.

It’s in the middle of the Castelo de Bode Dam and has a floating platform with two pools (one for adults and one for children) that invites you to take a dip in the waters of the River Zêzere.

This area is also popular with wakeboarding enthusiasts, but if you’re looking for something quieter, you can always take a seagull ride or go hiking on the trails that surround the dam.

Lagoa de Albufeira beach in Sesimbra

Sesimbra has one of the largest and most beautiful lagoons in Portugal. While the lagoon area is popular with families because of its calm waters, the sea beach is perfect for those who like long stretches of sand and don’t mind big waves, such as wave sports enthusiasts.

Aroeira Beach in Sintra

This wild beach, north of Cabo da Roca, has very difficult access, a small sandy beach and a rough sea that is not recommended for swimming.

Perhaps that’s why it’s most sought after by nudists and those who like to discover secret, quiet corners.

Alburrica River Beach, in Barreiro

Located in Barreiro, this is one of the secret beaches with fine, clear sands , where three traditional windmills stand out, bearing witness to the milling past of this area of Barreiro: the Giant Windmill, the East Windmill and the West Windmill.

As well as being very clean, it is equipped with showers, a maintenance circuit and a parking lot in the surrounding area.

Coelhos Beach, in Arrábida

This is one of the secret beaches most talked about at this time of year. It’s “almost” wild and difficult to access, but well worth the journey.

When you get there, you’ll find a shell-shaped paradise, with fine white sands and transparent waters.

Surrounding it is the Serra da Arrábida mountain range, which helps to make the scenery even more beautiful.

When the tide is low, it can be reached from nearby Praia do Creiro.

Samarra Beach, in Sintra

Located on a narrow cliff, which can be reached after a long descent, this beach is one of Sintra‘s best-kept secrets.

The sand is small (no more than 50 meters), but it’s enough for the few holidaymakers who go there, those who don’t like big crowds and enjoy contact with nature.

Adraga Beach, in Sintra

The scenery alone makes it worth walking down the winding road to the parking lot and then praying to the saints for a place on one of the most “sought-after” secret beaches on this route.

The reward comes at the end, thanks to a quiet stretch of sand with an incredible landscape, marked by cliffs, caves and tunnels.

To the south is the so-called Buraco do Fojo, a vertical well in the cliff about 90 meters long.

When the tide is low, it connects to two very small beaches: Praia dos Namorados and Praia do Cavalo.

Rainha Beach, in Cascais

Located in the center of Cascais, this is one of the town’s picture postcards and is only considered one of the secret beaches because it is really “hidden” among the rocks.

It has a small sandy beach and is nestled between cliffs, but its calm waters attract many bathers.

Abano Beach, in Cascais

This is one of the most unknown secret beaches in the municipality, probably because of the access, but it’s also one of the most beautiful.

It usually has strong winds and large swells.

Praia Doce, in Salvaterra de Magos

Located between the town of Salvaterra de Magos and the fishing village of Escaroupim, 70 kilometers from Lisbon, this is a quiet beach, surrounded by vegetation growing on the banks of the Tagus.

It has a picnic area, tables, toilets and a sandy beach that isn’t too big.

Redeveloped in 2015, it is also known by the locals as “Praia Dos Tesos”.

Olhos de Água River Beach, in Alcanena

This river beach owes its name to the source of the River Alviela, which rises to the surface a few meters higher up with clear, fresh waters.

Although it’s a delight for kids and adults alike, it’s particularly popular with the younger ones because here they can stand up and see the bottom.

It is part of a pleasant leisure area, with picnic areas, a children’s playground and even a campsite.

Galapinhos Beach, in Arrábida

Despite being considered one of the best beaches in Europe by several foreign publications, it is still one of the secret beaches for many Portuguese.

Access isn’t exactly easy, but down there it offers an incredible setting, with the green of the mountains and the strong tones of the sea taking center stage.

The scenery couldn’t be more instagrammable and the calm waters invite you to take a dip.

Portinho da Arrábida Beach, in Arrábida

This is one of Arrábida’s picture postcards and it’s easy to see why: surrounded by the mountains, with a long stretch of sand and clear waters, it offers a beautiful setting, which is also home to half a dozen houses and a couple of restaurants.

In 2010 it was considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Map with “secret” beaches in and around Lisbon, and a list for your cell phone

As 30 melhores praias de Portugal, para os editores da Lisboa Secreta