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28 of the Best Beaches in Sintra
Showing 1 - 10 of 28
- Sintra
Just around the corner from Praia Grande is another local favourite Praia da Adraga. This sandy little cove is backed by high cliffs with a deep valley winding down to the beach. The beach here is usually quieter than the better known beaches in the area and is mostly the preserve of locals. However, it can get quite busy at weekends when parking is at a premium.
Adraga is a fairly wild spot being located just a few kilometres north of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point on mainland...
- CascaisCan Stock Photo Inc. / StevanZZ
Located just around the corner from Cascais is one of the regions best known beaches. Unlike the beaches of Cascais and Estoril, Praia do Guincho faces directly into the Atlantic Ocean making it a very different place. The large stretch of golden sand is backed by dunes leading towards high cliffs in the north with not much between here and Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point in mainland Europe.
As you can imagine Guincho is exposed to the full force of the Atlantic making it a...
- CascaisCan Stock Photo Inc
This popular beach gets its name from the Palace of the Dukes of Palmela (Palacio do Duque de Palmela) which overlooks it. Along with adjoining Praia de Conceição, this is the most easily accessed beach from Cascais town and the train station. As such it can get pretty busy in the summer months.
At lower tides Praia de Duquesa and Conceição beaches join together to form one sandy stretch. As the tide comes in they are separated by the Faial Chalet the former Court of Justice for...
- Sintra
Praia das Maçãs (Apple beach) is one of the most popular beaches within striking distance of Lisbon. The name comes from the fact that once upon a time apples would fall off trees upstream of the (Ribeira de Colares) river that flows along the southern side of the beach. These would then wash up on the beach - hence the name.
One reason for the popularity of this beach is the tram line which connects Praia das Maçãs to Sintra during the Summer months.
Being on the Atlantic...
- SintraRichieb1961
Praia Grande is probably the closest, and certainly the mostly easily accessed, beach from Sintra. The name translates to "Big beach" and whilst the beach isn't massive, it is the biggest on the Sintra - Cascais coast, rivaled only by Guincho in terms of size. The expanse of golden sand is big enough to hold the summer crowds who flock here, many coming straight from Sintra on the tram which stops close to Praia Grande before continuing on to Praia das Macas.
As you'd expect for a... - SintraiStockPhoto / Ricardo Batuca
Backed by imposing cliffs this long sandy beach is located at the mouth of the river Mata.
- SintraRosino | BY-SA
Set on the Atlantic west coast just north of Cabo da Roca is a little gem of a beach - Praia da Ursa. Unspoilt and wild, this little beach is often cited as one of the most beautiful in the area. The name of the beach comes from the "Rocha da Ursa" (bear rock) one of two huge sea stacks at the northern end of the beach. It is said that the rock resembles a bear with its cub, although I can't quite see this myself!
This beach is a little off the beaten track and access is difficult to...
- CascaisRosino | BY-SA
Situated just around the corner from Cascais's famous Guincho beach is the lovely intimate little cove of Praia do Abano. This little gem is easily overlooked. After the sand strewn vista over Guincho the Sintra coast road winds through pine woods, and it is off a dirt track through these woods that you will find Praia do Abano. Abano has some similarities with its bigger neighbour; it is exposed to the strong winds and powerful waves that often pummel this exposed coast. However, on a calm...
- Estorilkirilart / 123RF
Tamariz beach is located in the popular and long established resort of Estoril at the Cascais end of the Lisbon - Cascais line. It's a lovely little stretch of sandy beach with plenty to do for all ages. There are rockpools for the kids and a host of bars, cafes and even a nightclub for everybody else. Running along the beachfront is a promenade which runs from just down the coast to Cascais - ideal for a gentle stroll and popular with joggers.
The beach is particularly easy to get to...
- Estoril
Praia da Poça, also known as São João do Estoril, is a popular little beach at the start of the Estoril - Cascais coast. As with all the beaches along this stretch there is the wide promenade running behind, with a couple of places to eat.
Access at Praia da Poça is good. Just a short distance from the N6 "Marginal" road and about halfway between São João and Estoril train stations, getting here is easy too.
The beach here is sandy, although apart from the middle of the beach...
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Considered not only one of the wonders of Portugal but indeed of Europe, Sintra is truly a gem. Once the royal town of the country, it now deservedly holds UNESCO world heritage status and attracts hordes of visitors throughout the...