South of the bustling Costa da Caparica a lies one of the region's most unique natural treasures: the Lagoa de Albufeira. Here, a vast golden beach creates a natural barrier, separating the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean from the calm, sheltered waters of a picturesque lagoon.

This striking geography creates a destination of two distinct halves. One side offers the raw energy of the open ocean, with mighty waves and bracing sea breezes, while just steps away, the tranquil lagoon provides a safe haven for families and swimmers.

The Lagoa de Albufeira has a beautiful natural setting, with almost no tourist development

This unique environment has made the Lagoa de Albufeira a favourite spot for watersports, where experienced kitesurfers can tackle the ocean swells while beginners practise on the lagoon's placid surface. Surrounded by pristine pine forests filled with tranquil footpaths, the area is also a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

Largely undiscovered by foreign tourists, the Lagoa remains a cherished secret among locals, offering an authentic and peaceful escape from the more crowded beaches near Lisbon.
Note: The Lagoa de Albufeira is not close or related to the resort town of Albufeira in the Algarve, for a guide to Albufeira, please click here.

The unique appeal of the Lagoa de Albufeira beach, is that it has two very different aspects.
One side faces the sea, with its giant waves, strong currents and constant sea-breezes, while the other faces the calm waters of the lagoon, and is sheltered from any winds by a huge sandbank. These calm and safe waters are the only ones found along the Costa da Caparica coastline.

The vast beach at the Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira also means there is plenty of space, unlike the crowded beaches close to Lisbon. The only downside to the Lagoa de Albufeira, is that there is no public transport, and you will need a car to travel here.

The Lagoa de Albufeira is 15km from Sesimbra and 36km from Lisbon (via the fastest roads).

The village of Lagoa de Albufeira is situated on the southern side of the lagoon, close to the mouth of the lagoon and the beach. The southern side of the lagoon is where all visitors head for a day on the beach, as there is no crossing point or access to the northern side.

Close to the beach is car parking, but expect it to fill up quickly during the summer months. There is parking on the side streets, but it can be a scrum to find spaces (or a long walk) if you arrive too late.

The lagoon waters are safe for children to swim and are relatively clean. During the summer there is lifeguard supervision on the lagoon waters close to the beach. The high sandbank provides shelter from the sea breezes, which can be very strong.

The vast beach of Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira

At the beach is the “Restaurante da Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira”, offering wonderful views of the beach, but mediocre service and is hampered by the summertime crowds. A better option is the Restaurante O Lagoeiro further around the lagoon. There are no shops close to the beach, so for a day trip its best to come prepared.

The beach on the northern side of the Lagoa de Albufeira is the Praia da Boca Velha. This is an untouched and pristine beach with absolutely no development. It is great if you want wild and remote, but with no meaningful access, it is too isolated for most beachgoers.

Note: There is no foot or road access crossing the lagoon, and there is no road access from the north. It is possible to wade across at low tide but always check local safety details first.

The sand dunes and cliffs of the Praia da Boca Velha

The Lagoa de Albufeira is a popular location for Portuguese holiday homes and campsites. There are three permanent campsites: Campismo das Hortencias, Clube Português de Caravanismo and Parque de Campismo Familiar, but none have websites or online booking/enquiries.

The region would be perfect for wild camping, but this type of camping is illegal in Portugal (with fines up to €250), and as it is illegal, we are unable to condone it. The village of Alfarim (close by) has many inexpensive accommodation options.

The Lagoa de Albufeira waterways comprise of three sections; two lagoons and a wetland.
The largest lagoon (the Lagoa Grande) is to the rear of the beach and extends along the entire length of the village.

The second lagoon (the Lagoa Pequena), is half the size of Lagoa Grande, and connected by a short waterway.

The inland marshes (the Lagoa da Estacada) are popular for bird watching, and the natural habitat for Bluethroat Thrush, Great Bittern and Garden Warblers.
Further bird watching information can be found on the Sesimbra council website:
birdwatching.sesimbra.pt/