Sesimbra possesses one of Portugal's most spectacular coastlines, where golden sandy beaches meet crystal-clear waters beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Serra da Arrábida mountains. This stunning stretch of coast offers everything from family-friendly beaches to hidden coves accessible only by boat, wild surfing beaches to tranquil lagoons.

The region's unique geography creates distinctly different beach experiences. The beaches within Sesimbra's sheltered bay offer calm waters perfect for families, while the magnificent Arrábida coastline presents a series of pristine coves set against limestone cliffs and lush forests. To the west, the exposed Atlantic beaches of Costa da Caparica provide excellent surfing conditions and seemingly endless stretches of sand.

This guide will help you discover the perfect beach for your visit, whether you seek the convenience of Sesimbra's town beaches, the paradise-like settings of the Arrábida, or the wild beauty of the Atlantic coast.
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5) Praia do Meco – A magnificent Atlantic beach where Portugal's naturist movement began in the 1970s, today offering family-friendly and clothing-optional sections along its vast sandy expanse. It can be windy here.

4) Praia da Califórnia – A beautiful beach in Sesimbra that combines convenience with beauty, offering golden sands, calm waters, and beachfront restaurants just minutes from the town centre. It can be busy, and the beach shrinks to half the size at high tide.

3) Praia da Ribeira do Cavalo – A hidden cove beach that was the secret of the Portuguese but now been made famous by social media. The beach has limited access and requires an adventurous cliffside scramble to reach. At the base of the cliff, you'll find turquoise waters and untouched natural beauty.

2) Lagoa de Albufeira – A unique coastal lagoon provides two contrasting beach experiences: sheltered waters perfect for young families on one side, and powerful Atlantic waves for surfing on the other.

1) Praia do Creiro – One of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches, hidden at the base of the Serra da Arrábida hills. With soft sands, calm waters, dramatic cliff scenery, and sheltered from the frequent winds – just expect to struggle to find car parking in the summer.

Map of Sesimbra’s beaches
The map below shows all the major beaches of the Sesimbra region, divided into three distinct areas: the town beaches, the Serra da Arrábida beaches, and the Costa da Caparica/Atlantic beaches. Note: zoom out to see all of the points.

Legend: 1) Praia do Ouro 2) Praia da Califórnia 3) Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo 4) Praia da Mijona 5) Praia do Creiro 6) Praia dos Galapos 7) Praia dos Galapinhos 8) Praia da Figueirinha 9) Praia dos Coelhos 10) Praia de Albarquel 11) Praia das Bicas 12) Praia do Meco 13) Lagoa de Albufeira 14) Praia da Fonte da Telha 15) Tróia

Praia de Galapinhos

Choosing the right beach depends on your priorities, transport options, and the time of year. Here's our practical guide to making the best choice:

If you're staying in Sesimbra without a car: Head to Praia da Califórnia (2), this is a golden sandy beach with clean waters and sits next to the town centre. This is the ideal beach if you are heading to Sesimbra via public transport from Lisbon.

For families with young children: The Lagoa de Albufeira (13) provides the safest swimming conditions with its shallow, warm lagoon waters. The massive sand bank provides shelter from the wind, while at low tide there are shallow pools left by the retreating tide, ideal for splashing about. The Praia da Califórnia (1) is another excellent choice with lifeguards, gentle waves, and nearby amenities.

If you want paradise (and have a car): The Praia do Creiro (5) is Portugal's most beautiful beach: soft sands, still turquoise waters, all surrounded by the hills of the Serra da Arrábida. Just arrive early (before 9:30am in summer) as the car park fills quickly. For something more adventurous, hike down to Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo (3), the 20-minute scramble down the cliff path is worth the effort.

For a quieter experience: Visit Praia das Bicas (11): kilometres of empty, pristine beach with barely any tourist development. This section of coastline is often overlooked by tourists who focus on the more famous (and busier!) Arrábida beaches. Head here if the Arrábida coastline car parks are full.

Outside of the peak season: Head to the Serra da Arrábida beaches of Praia do Creiro (5) or Praia dos Galapos (6). Enjoy the stunning beauty without the summertime crowds, while the steep hills provide shelter from the strong sea breezes.

The Praia do Creiro

There are many enjoyable and exciting activities within the Sesimbra and Arrábida region. Some of the best, provided by GetYourGuide, include:
• A boat tour from Sesimbra to 4 glorious beaches and hidden caves
• A guided kayak tour along the Arrábida coastline
• A coasteering adventure in the Arrábida Natural Park

The beaches of Sesimbra can be grouped into three areas:
• The town beaches, which are within walking distance of Sesimbra
• The beaches of the Serra da Arrábida (often referred to as the Portinho da Arrábida)
• The beaches of the Costa da Caparica (which includes the Lagoa de Albufeira)

The beaches closest to the town are the most accessible but tend to be the busiest during the summer months. The bay of Sesimbra is divided into two beaches, with the Praia do Ouro closer to the fishing harbour and the Praia da Califórnia to the east. Both beaches are very similar and have calm waters which are suitable for families.

The Praia do Ouro overlooks the fishing harbour

The beaches of the Portinho da Arrábida are considered some of Portugal's finest beaches. They are in a stunning location, backed by the green hills and steep cliffs, with turquoise waters overlooking the Tróia Peninsula. However, paradise comes with a price: severely limited parking that fills by mid-morning, and summer road closures near Praia de Galápos that restrict access to residents only.

The Costa da Caparica offers a completely different experience along its 17-km Atlantic-facing stretch on the Setúbal Peninsula's western edge. This is a region of powerful ocean waves, strong currents, and frequent sea breezes. The vast beaches do mean there is always space even on the busiest summer days. The southern edge of the Costa da Caparica is significantly quieter than the northern side.

Fishing boats are still launched from the beach of Costa da Caparica

Often hailed on social media as one of Portugal's most beautiful beaches, this beach requires some effort to reach due to the loose rock path that snakes down the side of the cliff.

What makes this beach truly special is its untouched, wild character. There are no facilities, lifeguards, or commercial development, just pristine nature at its finest. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and its difficult access means it's often quieter than other Sesimbra beaches.

The beach is a 20-minute walk from the fishing harbour, but the final section follows a rough dirt footpath down the side of the cliff. The path demands proper footwear and reasonable fitness levels, making it unsuitable for young children. Alternatively, boat trips from Sesimbra offer easier access while providing stunning coastal views.

The Serra da Arrábida coastline is absolutely stunning, offering soft golden sand beaches, and turquoise calm sea waters that are surrounded by pine-forested mountains. The problem with the beaches of the Arrábida region is travelling to them. There is very limited car parking, and the main coastal road near the Praia de Galápos is closed to non-residents during the summer.
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The Serra da Arrábida coastline

Praia dos Galapos and Praia dos Galapinhos
The Praia dos Galápos and Praia dos Galapinhos are often considered to be some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. There are crystal-clear waters for snorkelling, soft sands and wonderous scenery.

Galápos is the larger beach and has two restaurants (O João and Ondagalapos) along with parasols and sun loungers. Galapinhos to the east is smaller and where you will want to take your paradise photos.
The two beaches are separated by a headland which can be walked around at low tide.

The Praia dos Galapinhos

Praia do Creiro
The Praia do Creiro is as equally beautiful as Galapinhos beach, but there is a car park, and it is easier to reach when the coastal road is shut.

Creiro is a wonderous beach; steep forested hills descend down to white sands, and the sheltered bay leads around to the tiny village of Portinho da Arrábida. The inviting sea waters are calm and tranquil, being a blend of deep blues and greens, and there is an abundance of sea life beneath the waters. The Praia do Creiro is a fantastic beach destination; just expect it to be busy at the height of the summer.

Between the car park and the beach are the Roman ruins of Creiro, which was the site of a fish salting factory.

The Praia do Creiro beach

Praia dos Coelhos
The Praia dos Coelhos is a tiny cove beach which has been completely untouched by tourism. If you seek an untouched paradise beach, this is where to head to.

Be warned, there is a rough 400m path down to the beach, and there are no facilities on the beach at all, but that’s the price for an untouched, pristine paradise. The only car parking is on the main road and is shared with Praia dos Galapinhos. For most tourists, the Praia do Creiro, which is nearby, is the better choice for a beach for a day trip.

Praia da Figueirinha
The Praia da Figueirinha is considered the best beach for a day trip in the Serra da Arrábida and is very popular with Portuguese families. Figueirinha is one of the region’s larger beaches, and there are good facilities (cafes and restaurants).

The actual beach is beautiful (as with the whole region), with soft, light-coloured sands and is backed by the craggy cliffs of the Serra da Arrábida. The waters are clean and calm, and as the waters are fed by the ocean and are clean enough for swimming. The Praia da Figueirinha gets very busy in the summer as it is the best beach close to the city of Setubal.

The Praia do Meco
The Praia do Meco is a gorgeous sandy beach at the southern end of the Costa da Caparica coastline. The beach is infamous throughout Portugal as it was the first nudist beach in the country, but today, there is a clear designation between the family-friendly sections and the nudist beach (which is further to the south of the coastline). Meco is a huge beach, and there is ample car parking, which makes it a good choice for a beach when the Serra da Arrábida is too crowded in the summer.
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The Praia do Meco

The Lagoa de Albufeira
The Lagoa de Albufeira is a pristine lagoon which opens out on the Costa da Caparica coastline. This setting provides two very different beaches; the side facing the might of the Atlantic Ocean and the sheltered side overlooking the lagoon. The Atlantic side is great for surfing and kite surfing, while the sheltered lagoon waters are popular with Portuguese families. Inland, the pristine forests that surround the lagoon offer deserted footpaths and tranquil countryside.
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The calm waters of the Lagoa de Albufeira are a popular location to learn to wind surf

Our most popular guides to the Sesimbra region