Want to enjoy the absolute best beaches near Sintra? Here is my selection of the most beautiful and impressive ones, as well as the most practical.
This way you can take a break from the amazing palaces and castles, and all the things to do in Sintra-Cascais, to walk on the sand and dip in the water!
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1. Praia do Magoito: Best beach near Sintra for landscape
Why I love this Sintra Beach?
This is one of my absolute favorite beaches in Portugal.
You start with a fantastic viewpoint at the end of the beach. From there you can admire the long black cliffs, with the golden sand at the bottom.
Then, as you walk down to the beach, you admire the solidified sand dune that was formed by the accumulation of sand from the action of the sea and wind. According to the Portuguese Wikipedia Page, it is evaluated that it formed 10,000 years ago.
Once on the golden sand, the beach remains as impressive.
For those wanting to swim, it is a mix of sand and stones to reach the water depending on the tide. Ocean water can be cold.
Because of the rocks, small pools form at lower tide, which are great for kids.
It is considered one of the European beaches with the highest iodine concentration.
Tips for visiting
- Location: West Coast, north of Sintra
- Sintra to Praia do Magoito = 20min
- You need a car to get there
- Better at low tide if you want to walk along the cliffs
- Medium-sized carpark. It gets full quickly in summer - arrive early!
- Good for surf and bodyboarding
- Facilities and restaurants
- Easy access via ramp
- More information in my article
2. Praia da Adraga
Why I love this Sintra Beach?
Praia da Adraga Portugal is a remote beach in the Sintra-Cascais National Park.
It offers 3 distinct features to enjoy:
- a deep sandy area with soft sand - I really enjoyed digging my feet in the sand there
- an stunning arch, at the south end. At low tide, you can stand under it.
- and big black boulders cut by erosion at the north end, also visible at low tide.
It is quite photogenic!
Tips for visiting
- Location: West Coast, north of Sintra
- Sintra to Praia doa Adraga = 25min
- You need a car to get there
- Better at low tide if you want to walk under the arch and see the rocks
- Medium-sized carpark. It gets full quickly in summer - arrive early!
- Be careful, the waves are really strong
- Facilities and restaurants
- Easy access from the carpark
- More information in my article
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3. Praia da Maças - accessible by tram
Why I love this Sintra Beach?
This is not the most scenic beach in the area, but the large sandy area makes it a favorite to spend a day at the beach.
The beach is quite deep, giving a lot of space.
But it is also very popular, because the tram links it to Sintra. So if you don't want to rent a car, this is your best option to spend some time at the beach!
Tips for visiting
- Location: west of Sintra
- Sintra to Praia da Maças = 20min drive
- Medium-size carpark that gets full in Summer
- Accessible by tram from Sintra, normally every 50min (45 passengers max)
- Also accessible by bus
- Facilities and restaurants
- Easy access from the carpark
- Lisbon, to explore the vibrant city - see options
- Sintra, to visit as many palaces as possible - see options
- Porto, to feel the history - see options
- Obidos, to walk on the medieval walls at sunset - see options
- Douro valley, if you love wine - see options
- Algarve, my favorite town is Lagos - see options
- Algarve, Portimao is practical to visit all the best beaches - see options
4. Praia Grande de Colares
Why I love this Sintra Beach?
Well, if you enjoy long walks on the beach, this is your best bet.
This beach is very long with golden sand.
At the south end, you can enjoy the impressive cliffs and maybe you will be able to see the dinosaur imprints.
Tips for visiting
- Location: west coast, north of Sintra
- Sintra to Praia Grande = 20min drive
- You need a car to get there
- Limited parking along the beach
- Great for surf and bodyboard (place of international-level competitions)
- Restaurants and facilities
- Easy access from the road to the beach
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5. Praia do Guincho & Praia da Crismina
Why I love this Sintra Beach?
The most famous beach in the area of Sintra-Cascais is Praia Grande do Guincho with its sand dunes.
It is not ideal for swimming, but it is quite scenic with the dunes and the big waves.
There are 2 coves separated by a headland with an hotel. North is Praia do Guincho and south is Praia da Crismina
Tips for visiting
- Location: West coast, south of Sintra
- Sintra to Praia do Guincho = 20min drive
- Good size parking but popular in summer
- Great area for surf and watersports
- Several bars and restaurants
Other beaches near Sintra and Cascais
The beaches in Cascais
In the town of Cascais, you can find some small sandy beaches:
- Praia da Rainha
- Praia da Ribeira de Cascais
- Praia de Duquesa
- Praia da Rata
- Praia do Tamariz
- ...
Praia da Samarra
At the northern end of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is a small sandy beach with low cliffs.
If you like rock formations, it is another one to go enjoy as it has a wall of rock, Lomba dos Pianos, that resembles a piano keyboard.
25min drive north of Sintra
Praia do Abano
Small cove north of Praia do Guincho with the ruins of a fort.
Accessible via a dirt track
Praia da Ursa
Difficult to access with a 45min difficult hike, but you reach a stunning cove with cliffs and rock pillars that make you think of the Algarve beaches.
South of Praia da Adraga.
Want to see more of the best Portugal has to offer?
- 30 Most beautiful landscapes in Portugal - read article
- Best things to do in Portugal - read article
- The best beaches in Portugal - read article
- The best villages in Portugal - read article
- Lisbon vs Porto - where to go? - read article
- Driving in Portugal - read article
- The best of the Algarve region - read article
- The highlights of Sintra and the Sintra-Cascais Nature park - read article
- 21 Best towns and cities in Portugal - read article
And keep track of your own trip!
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