Set in the Parque Natural Arrábida near Setúbal, the idyllic Praia de Galapinhos is one of the regions most stunning beaches. The crescent of golden-white sand, backed by the densely forested hills of the Serra da Arrabida, is lapped by crystal-clear azure waters. It is little wonder this beach was awarded 'most beautiful beach in Europe' by the European Best Destinations organization.
Whilst the beach is a little slice of paradise getting down to it is a different matter....
Caparica itself is a lively if not particularly pretty town whose overwhelming popularity with holidaying locals from Lisbon and the surrounding area rests largely on the access she offers to some ten kilometres of sandy beach.
The beach, known as Costa da Caparica, is backed by acacia and eucalyptus trees and home to a string of campsites, packed out during the summer months.
The first five kilometres of...
A short drive east of Setubal down tiny winding roads will bring you to one of the most stunning beaches in Portugal - Portinho da Arrabida. This former tiny fishing village is now attracting increasing numbers of foreign visitors each year, but its isolation from public transport have so far protected this sheltered cove from serious overcrowding. Crystal clear waters, reaching 17 degrees in high summer, make this an excellent spot for fishing and...
The beaches of Costa da Caparica seem to be one long stretch of golden sand running from the river Tejo almost to the rugged promontory of Cabo Espichel. However, the miniature train (Transpraia) which drops visitors off at various points along this sandy coast only goes so far. 21 stops, and 8 km in fact which will drop you off at Praia da Fonte da Telha - the end of the line.
I have seen some guides giving the impression Fonte da Telha is still some sleepy fishing community with a...
Set in the Serra da Arrábida National Park, just beyond the mouth of the Rio Sado estuary, is Praia da Figueirinha. This is one of the best known and most popular beaches in the Arrábida area and is one of the closest to the town of Setubal.
Figueirinha has a stunning backdrop of the Arrábida Hills along with a fine stretch of golden sand which forms a narrow sandbank extending out into the calm, clean waters of the Sado at low tide. You can walk out along this sandbar which also...
This curving, turquoise bay just 40km south of Lisbon is home to a long, sandy beach that splits in two at high tide to form a strand each side of an intriguing waterfront fort.
Jetskis and ketches play off-shore while droves of Lisbon residents flock to taste the marine delights on offer at scores of beachfront restaurants, each with its own charcoal grill.
The town of Sesimbra, nestling in the foothills of the Serra da...
Beach 19 lies between the more traditionally named Praia da Bela Vista and Praia Fonte da Telha in Costa da Caparica. Just across the bridge from Lisbon this massive stretch of sandy coast is widely regarded as a beachgoer's paradise.
Before we go on it is worth explaining the name of this beach. The beaches of Costa Caparica are served by a miniature train known as the "Transpraia" which runs from the town at the northern end, all the way to Fonte da Telha about 10 km to the south....
Praia do Meco is a fairly remote beach located within the Serra da Arrabida national park near Sesimbra. It occupies a 4km stretch of coast to the south of the beaches of Costa da Caparica, around 40km south of Lisbon.
This long, sandy beach was largely undiscovered until the early 1970s. There was no vehicular access and nothing in the way of development. Around this time travelling 'hippies' from around Europe and the U.S. set up camp at the beach.
Over the years the beach...
The Praia de Albarquel is the closest of the Arrábida beaches to the town of Setubal. A lovely stretch of golden sand with great views across the calm waters of the Sado estuary to the Troia Peninsula. This is a pretty spot with plenty of facilities including a seasonal lifeguard making it ideal for kids.
Behind the beach rise the wooded hills of the Serra da Arrabida with the Forte de São Filipe high above. There is another smaller...