Portugal does not have a lot, so this time we offer an express tour of the main beaches of the country - from Lisbon and north to Sintra. Natural swimming pools, the edge of Europe, surf spots - all this can be found in Portugal. However, despite its beauty, the ocean is cool even in August. But are we confused by difficulties?
Costa da Caparica
Lisbon's beaches start with the Lisbon Riviera. Here, a strip of sand stretches for twenty kilometers, there are landscaped areas, nudist beaches, and deserted places. The most popular of these is Košta da Caparica (on the other side of the mouth of the Tagus River). This is just the "beginning of the ocean": there are no raging waves here, so it is possible to swim and not be flipped over in the water at once. These places are popular among the Portuguese themselves, who come to repair for the summer holidays or make one-day trips from Lisbon - almost like we do to the Minsk Sea. The southernmost you are, the fewer people are there.
Some of the beaches of Costa da Caparica are Blue Flagged, many have quality medals, and all offer excellent conditions for beach and outdoor activities. Among the favorite places on the beach are Chapeu De Palha (Paredao Da Costa Apoio 27 | Nova Praia) with an excellent selection of seafood at affordable prices.
How to get there?
There are several ways to get to Costa da Capparica, depending on where you start.
Belém: Bus 129 to Trafaria and then the Trafaria-Belen ferry. The ferry transports passengers and cars, runs every 30 minutes, during the daytime break from 14 to 15:30.
Cais do Sodre: Buses 124 and 135 of Cat da Capparica to Cacillache, then the ferry Casillache to Cais do Sodre. 135 express buses are fast (via rapid), 124 - loops along the streets, stops at all stops but gives the opportunity to see the surroundings. Passenger ferry walks regularly. Cais do Sodré is a major transportation hub, where buses, trams, trains to Cascais, subway and ferries meet.
Plaza Espanha (Praça de Espanha): Buses 153 (terminus) and 161. Nearby is the metro station of the same name.
Areeiro: Bus 161. Nearby is the metro and railway station of the same name.
Praia do Guincho
Praia do Guincho beach is an untouched kingdom of golden sand dunes and wild mountain nature. It is a great place for surfers - the strongest winds blow here from June to August. Who plus, who minus: the huge waves, it is difficult to get into the ocean, it is necessary to have time before the wave catches up. It is also attractive because it is very easy to get to it - only 5 km from Cascais. The beach flashed in the sixth issue of Bondiana ("On Her Majesty's Secret Service") - the beach still looks like in 1969.
How to get there?
From Lisbon to Cascais, the trains run about 3 times an hour. It takes about 20-30 minutes to get from Cais do Sodré Station. Across the street from the station, you will see a glass commercial center called Cascais Villa. Underneath it, in the basement floor, there is a terminal - the station from where you go and where the buses arrive.
There are two buses between Cascais and Guincho: 405 and 415. The beach is about 35 minutes away by road with a lot of steep turns through villages and small settlements. Ask the driver to tell you when to go out. It is better to rent a bike and enjoy the coastal road to the beach.
Praia Ursa
It is a small, hard-to-reach bearish beach, which many people consider the most beautiful in Portugal. Here you can spend hours looking at the shores and rocks around because the water is cold enough to spend more than 5 minutes in it. Store comfortable shoes - you will have to climb down the cliffs for at least 20-30 minutes.
How to get there?
From Cascais to Cascais, take bus number 403 and 417 for about 20 minutes. The bus goes to Cabo da Roca, but you have to get off one stop earlier, asking the driver to stop near Ursa Beach. Please note that not every flight goes to Cape Roca. The road from Cascais to the beach is very steep, grab the pills from the sickness.
Coming out, you will see a small sign "Ursa" and a small parking lot. From there go down the path for 20 minutes. As soon as you see a cliff for the descent to the water - choose the path that is to the left, if you go along the right path - turn your head.
Cabo da Roca
The westernmost cape of the Eurasian continent. Ahead, across the ocean, is America. It is best to visit it at sunset, bringing a bottle of wine. At this time you can still see the keeper, including the lanterns of the lighthouse and smell the smell of his dinner. If you want to brag to your friends, you can even buy a certificate, they say, you're in the westernmost part of Europe (€ 11).
How to get there?
See above how to get to the beach of Ursa. And from the beach to Cape Rosa 5 minutes walk. The latest bus from the cape to Sintra leaves about 20:40, just after sunset.