Estoril is a stylish and sophisticated resort town that is situated along the beautiful Portuguese Riviera coastline. The town lies on the Praia do Tamariz, a beautiful sandy beach that is the perfect location for a relaxing beach.

Surrounding Estoril are two very different coastlines: the calm and family-friendly beaches of the Portuguese Riviera, while to the northwest are the wild and windswept beaches of the Serra de Sintra.

The Portuguese Riviera extends between Cascais and Lisbon, and this coastline comprises of small sandy beaches, calm waters, and characterful resort towns such as Estoril, Cascais, Carcavelos and Oeiras. The beaches of the Portuguese Riviera are very popular during the summer, being the best beaches near Lisbon.

The Serra de Sintra coastline lies to the northwest of Estoril and is markedly different from the Portuguese Riviera. This coastline faces the might of the Atlantic Ocean, and is characterised by its huge waves, strong sea breezes, and stunning natural scenery. The Serra de Sintra is a protected coastline and has minimal tourist development - just wild, dramatic beaches.

Estoril benefits from being close to these two very different coastlines, as well as boasting many beautiful sandy beaches within walking distance of the town. This article will provide a guide to the best beaches of the Estoril region, and help you get the most from your beach trip.
Related articles: Introduction to Estoril

The beautiful Praia do Tamariz is Estoril's main beach

The Serra de Sintra coastline, known for its vast beaches, powerful waves, and strong winds, is home to Praia do Guincho.

Praia de Carcavelos, the largest beach on the Portuguese Riviera, is just a short train ride from Estoril.

If you are reading this guide during your holiday planning stages and are wondering if the beaches of the Estoril region are good, then the simple answer is yes. The beaches of Estoril are as good as those in the Algarve, and Estoril is a wonderful destination for your holiday.

The five best beaches within walking distance of Estoril are:
1) Praia do Tamariz 2) Praia da Conceição & Praia da Duquesa 3) Praia da Poça 4) Praia da Rata 5) Praia das Moitas

The five best beaches of the Portuguese Riviera are:
1) Praia de Carcavelos 2) Praia de Santo Amaro (Oeiras Beach) 3) Praia de São Pedro do Estoril 4) Praia da Torre 5) Praia de Paço de Arcos
Note: These can be easily reached by the Estoril-Lisbon railway.

The five best beaches of the Serra de Sintra (northwest of Estoril):
1) Praia das Maçãs 2) Praia Grande 3) Praia da Ursa 4) Praia da Adraga 5) Praia do Guincho
Note: There is limited public transport in the Serra de Sintra region, and you will need a car to travel to them.

The interactive map below shows the location of these beaches. The beaches close to Estoril are displayed in green, the beaches of the Portuguese Riviera are shown in yellow, and the Serra de Sintra beaches are marked in blue. Note: Zoom out to see all of the markers.

Estoril beaches (green): 1) Praia do Tamariz 2) Praia da Conceição & Praia da Duquesa 3) Praia da Poça 4) Praia das Moitas 5) Praia da Azarujinha
Portuguese Riviera (yellow): 6) Praia de Carcavelos 7) Praia de Santo Amaro (Oeiras Beach) 8) Praia de São Pedro do Estoril 9) Praia da Torre 10) Praia de Paço de Arcos
Serra de Sintra (blue): 11) Praia das Maçãs 12) Praia Grande 13) Praia da Ursa 14) Praia da Adraga 15) Praia do Guincho

Insight: The weather in Estoril is warm enough for beach-going from May until the end of September. The beaches are busiest in the peak season of July and August, although the seawater remains chilly throughout the year.

The beaches detailed in this next section are within walking distance of Estoril. If you are on holiday in Estoril, these will likely be the ones that you will spend the majority of your time on. These beaches tend to get crowded during the summer due to their proximity to Estoril and Cascais, both of which are popular holiday destinations.

Estoril's beaches are a hive of activity during the summer

The Praia do Tamariz is Estoril's main beach and a great location to begin your holiday.

The beach boasts soft golden sands and the sea waters are sheltered from the powerful waves and currents of the Atlantic Ocean – this makes the beach ideal for families.

Tamariz beach is very popular during the summer, but it is not as hectic as the beaches in Cascais. Sun loungers and sunshades can be rented here for €20 per day.

To the rear of the Praia do Tamariz is a beachside promenade lined with many cafés, bars, and shops, which always boasts a lively atmosphere in the summer. Tamariz beach is overlooked by the Forte da Cruz, an ornate 19th-century villa.

On the eastern side of the beach is the 'Piscina Oceânica do Tamariz', a saltwater swimming pool that is filled by the high tide. The water in this pool is always warmer than the sea and is safe for young children to swim in.

The Praia do Tamariz is a fantastic sandy beach

The Piscina Oceânica do Tamariz is filled by the high tide

The two beaches of Praia da Duquesa and Praia da Conceição form the main beach of Cascais, the next resort town along from Estoril.

This beach is larger than the Praia do Tamariz and is always more hectic, offering many activities such as boat rides, sea inflatables, pedalos and beach sports. The beach is divided in two by a minor headland on which the Casa Faial villa stands; to the west is the Praia da Conceição, and to the east (closer to Estoril) is the Praia da Duquesa.

The 1.7km route from Estoril to the Conceição and Duquesa beaches follows the Paredão de Cascais, a beachfront promenade, and is an enjoyable walk on a summer's day.

The Praia da Duquesa beach in July

The Praia da Poça is a good alternative to the Praia do Tamariz, which is only 300m away.

This small, sandy beach sits at the base of a cliff and a seawall, overlooking the calm waters of the Estoril coastline.Poça Beach tends to be less crowded than the beaches to the west (closer to Cascais) and is perfect for a relaxing day in the sun.

The Praia das Moitas is a pretty little beach that lies partway between Estoril and Cascais. This is the first beach you reach when following the Paredão de Cascais promenade west from Estoril.

Praia das Moitas could be considered a smaller version of the Praia do Tamariz. It offers golden sands and calm seawaters, as well as sun loungers for hire.

Insight: Moitas beach is sometimes referred to by its old name, Praia da Rata (rat beach). Thankfully, the rats are long gone, and the beach was renamed Praia das Moitas to make it more appealing to tourists.

The Praia das Moitas may be small, but it is a great sandy beach close to Estoril

The western side of Moitas beach

The Praia da Rainha is one of the most scenic beaches of the Estoril-Cascais coastline, with golden sands and still blue waters that overlook the peaceful harbour of Cascais.

In the 1880s, Queen Amélia selected this secluded beach as her private bathing area, and it has since been known as Queen's Beach (Praia da Rainha).

This is a very pretty beach, but as one of the smallest on this coastline, it will always be significantly busier than when Queen Amélia frequented it.

The pretty Praia da Rainha, as chosen by a queen.....

The Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano is a seawater swimming pool where children and families can swim safely - and the water is warmer than the sea!

There is no admission fee, and it is a favourite with children - especially if fish are trapped in the pool after the tide recedes.

The Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano looks dated and has a lot of concrete, but it is great free fun!

Estoril lies in the heart of the Portuguese Riviera, the coastline that extends between Lisbon and Cascais.

The beaches of the Portuguese Riviera are very easy to travel to, as they are served by the regular and inexpensive railway service that departs from Estoril train station. They can be extremely busy in the summer when the whole of Lisbon heads to the beach.

The Praia de Carcavelos is the largest and most popular beach of the Portuguese Riviera. This is the recommended beach for visitors who are based in Lisbon and wish a day on the beach.

Carcavelos is much larger than all of the beaches close to Estoril, and there are even medium-sized waves suitable for surfing.

Along the front are numerous bars, restaurants and shops, and in the summer it always has a lively atmosphere. The Praia de Carcavelos is an outstanding beach, and this is the one we’d recommend to visitors who are on holiday in Lisbon.

Carcavelos is connected to Estoril by the regional railway. The direct train takes just 25 minutes, and a ticket costs €2.10. From the station, it is a 700m walk to the coast.

Praia de Carcavelos is a huge beach.

Oeiras is a popular coastal town among the Portuguese, with its main beach being the Praia de Santo Amaro.

This is another glorious spot, with a wide expanse of sand, calm seawater and amazing facilities. Santo Amaro beach is the most sheltered of the region and is a popular choice for families with young children. During the summer, Oeiras beach attracts a younger crowd and has a lively, jovial atmosphere.

Insight: Praia de Santo Amaro is the beach closest to Lisbon that has guaranteed clean waters. Beaches further to the east of Oeiras (and closer to Lisbon) are within the tidal mixing zone of the Tejo Estuary, where the water quality may not be as good.

Praia de Santo Amaro is one of the more lively beaches on the Portuguese Riviera coastline.

The Praia de São Pedro do Estoril is one of the most underrated beaches of the Portuguese Riviera and is an excellent choice for a relaxing beach day.

São Pedro beach tends to be one of the quietest of the region, and there will be fewer screaming kids or overly excited teenagers here than on the region’s other beaches.

If you want a peaceful day at the shore (or the quietest possible for the Portuguese Riviera), head to the Praia de São Pedro do Estoril.

Insight: The seawaters close to the Praia de São Pedro and along the Pedro coastline have high levels of iodine (due to the seaweed growing on the rocky sea ledges) and were historically an area where older people bathed to heal joint pains and bone diseases.

The Praia de São Pedro.

The Praia da Torre is a beautiful sandy beach that lies on the leeward side of the Forte de São Julião da Barra, a colossal 16th-century fort. This beach is a short walk from Praia de Carcavelos and is a good alternative if Carcavelos is too crowded or blustery.

Insight: Beginning at the Praia da Torre is the Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras, a scenic coastal footpath that leads to Paço de Arcos. This is the best short walk of the Portuguese Riviera.

Praia da Torre is a beautiful beach

The Praia de Paço de Arcos lies on the eastward-facing stretch of coastline between Oeiras and Carcavelos. This is another outstanding sandy beach, and its location means it's less busy than some of the others in the area. Along the beach is a natural harbour where small fishing boats moor.

Praia de Paço de Arcos

The beaches of the Serra de Sintra are famed for their dramatic scenery and powerful surfing waves. You will need a rental car to explore the region, as there is very poor public transport along this coastline.

The Praia da Ursa is one of the most stunning beaches of Portugal. It nestles at the base of towering cliffs and giant rock formations rising out of the water. Part of the appeal of Ursa is its remote location; to reach the beach you’ll drive along dirt roads and walk along a meandering footpath, but it is truly worth the effort.

A trip to Praia da Ursa is often combined with a visit to the Cabo de Roca headland - the most westerly point of mainland Europe - and there is a scenic 1.7km coastal path connecting them.

The wild beauty of the Praia da Ursa

The Praia das Maçãs is a gorgeous beach that fills a wide river valley. On the northern side of the beach is the charming village of Praia das Maçãs. This sandy stretch is slightly sheltered from the Atlantic winds and waves, and is a popular location for Portuguese families in the summer months.
Praia das Maçãs is a great choice if you wish to take a beach-focused day trip from Estoril.
Related articles: Praia das Maçãs

The beautiful Praia das Maçãs.

The Praia da Adraga is another beautiful beach of the Serra de Sintra. It has many similarities to the Praia da Ursa, but is more tourist friendly with a restaurant, shop and decent roads.

The beach has a beautiful setting, filling a deep valley and surrounded on either side by towering cliffs. These cliffs provide shelter from the Atlantic winds, and Adraga beach makes a fantastic destination for a day trip.

The Praia da Adraga sits in a deep valley surrounded by towering cliffs.

The Praia Grande, as the name implies, is a large stretch of sand that is surrounded by a popular beach resort. At the northern end is the Arribas Sintra Hotel, with its 100m saltwater swimming pool and wonderful views across the coast. The Praia Grande is a popular surfing beach, as there are few rocky outcrops.

Our opinion: The Praia Grande is an impressive beach, but there is no real point in travelling all the way from Estoril to spend time on it.

The Praia Grande is popular for surfing.

Praia do Guincho is the most famous beach of the Serra de Sintra, as it was one of the original surfing beaches of Portugal and used to host the Windsurfing World Cup during the 1990s.

Today, Guincho is a favourite for kitesurfing due to the reliable onshore breezes, while the spectacular natural scenery attracts hikers, cyclists and day trippers. It should be noted that Guincho is not a tranquil or relaxing beach – there is an almost constant breeze blowing in from the Atlantic and little shelter from it.

On a super calm summer’s day, Guincho is the region's finest beach - but most of the time, it will be too windy for a relaxing day.

The Praia do Guincho

The beaches of the Costa da Caparica coastline are on the southern side of Lisbon (on the Setubal Peninsula) and it is possible to travel to them via public transport. The Costa da Caparica offer the same great surfing of Guincho but are within a modern resort town.

For visitors based in Lisbon, the Costa da Caparica beaches provides an alternative to the Estoril coastline, but if you are in Estoril the Costa da Caparica beaches are not worth the complex and long journey.

Fishing boats still launch from the beach of Costa da Caparica, which is agreat beach but too far from Estoril

Discover more of Estoril and the Lisbon region