Most visit Lisbon to experience the city’s culinary culture and charismatic architecture. But there are also many opportunities to press pause on urban life and visit the beaches in Lisbon loved by locals that you can easily get to, even if you’re only on a short three-day trip to the Portuguese capital. Portugal is known for its vast stretches of sand and wild waters, making it an ideal destination for surfers. And while Lisbon has plenty of places to catch a wave (Nazaré, for example, is known for recording the largest waves ever surfed, and is just a 90-minute drive from the city), it’s also home to several small bays for those travelers looking for some relaxation on their next trip.
One warning for those planning to swim: The water in Lisbon can be icy! With the North Atlantic Ocean surrounding Portugal, revelers should expect cooler temperatures of around 57°F in the winter to 68°F in the summer. For that reason, late summer and early autumn is the most pleasant time for a swim. That said, whether you want a quiet bay to relax and unwind or a wide-open space with nobody else around, these are the beaches in Lisbon that are well worth a visit on your next trip.
A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
