Last Updated on September 5, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: November 27, 2018
When hot summer days kick in, Lisbon’s locals beeline to the beaches and beach bars. Who doesn’t love cool drinks, mouthwatering snacks, and great views of the surf (and surfers)? Fortunately, downtown Lisbon is between 15 minutes to an hour from spectacular beaches. Sound good? Head to one of these 4 fabulous Lisbon beach bars to chill out like a local.
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At a Glance: Beach Bars Near Lisbon
- 🌊 Best Beach Bar Areas: Most of Lisbon’s best beach bars are along the Costa da Caparica and Cascais coastline. Costa da Caparica is especially popular with locals and has about 15 km of beaches!
- ☀️Best Time to Go: For a quieter visit, go on a weekday or arrive earlier in the day before the beaches fill up.
- 🚆How to Get to the Beach from Lisbon: Carcavelos is one of the easiest beaches to reach without a car, with trains running directly from Cais do Sodré on the Cascais line. Costa da Caparica is also accessible by public transportation. To reach remote beaches like Guincho, it’s easiest to rent a car.
- 🍹What to Order: Expect a mix of cold beer, sangria, cocktails, fresh juices, seafood, sandwiches, salads, and casual snacks rather than a formal restaurant experience. Several beach bars also have substantial lunch menus, so you can easily make a whole afternoon of it.
- 💶 Budget: Plan to pay more for drinks and meals directly on the beach than you would at a neighborhood café or tasca. The views are worth it!
- 🩱 How to Dress: The beaches can become noticeably cooler and windier later in the day, particularly at Guincho. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, and a light sweater for the evening.
- ✅ Local Tip: Tag a beach bar on to a day trip from Lisbon or a visit to one of Lisbon’s 5 best beaches. Stay to watch the sunset if you can!
1. Bar Moinho
Bar Moinho is a cozy spot with sunning chairs and umbrellas that’s perfect for when you want to read by the beach or watch a sunset.
It’s located in Carcavelos, which is a convenient 20-25 minute drive or train ride from Lisbon. (Take the train from Cais do Sodré; it only costs a few euros!) The beaches in Carcavelos are small, but have become popular spots for families and locals who don’t want to travel too far.
Insider Tip: If you’re visiting during the winter months, sit inside with an order of hot chocolate or tea.
📍 Location: Praia do Moinho, Praia de Carcavelos, 2775-000 Carcavelos, Portugal
2. Kailua Fonte da Telha
Is it a bar or a restaurant? Usually, in Portugal, the answer is both. Kailua Fonte da Telha, or simply Kailua, is one of the bars/restaurants in Fonte da Telha, the last beach on Costa da Caparica’s long coast.
On the menu, you’ll find salads, hamburgers, toasts, and desserts. There is also a separate menu for smoothies and shakes. On Sundays, try their take on a cultural classic at lunch: Cozido à Portuguesa (Portuguese boiled dinner). Thursday nights are buffet nights.
Don’t forget to sit on the terrace and enjoy the privileged views of a local favorite beach!
📍 Location: Av. Vasco da Gama, Praia Lareira Fonte da Telha, 2815-486 Aroeira, Portugal
3. Bar do Guincho
Google “best Lisbon beach bars” and Bar do Guincho is likely to appear. This spot is a classic, as is the Praia do Guincho. Bar do Guincho is an iconic bar near Lisbon, open since 1987.
Casual and comfortable, this is the place to go for burgers, toasted sandwiches, and cool beers while watching the surfers and kitesurfers tackle the waves. Located off the beaten path, it’s surrounded by the wild vegetation of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Your best bet for reaching it is to rent a car or drive with a friend.
Local Tip: If you’re hoping to tackle the water yourself, the Bar do Guincho has a shop and a wave center where you can rent equipment and book surfing lessons.
📍 Location: Estrada do Abano, Praia do Guincho, 547, 2755-144 Cascais, Portugal
4. Waikiki
Waikiki is a great option for travelers who don’t mind spending a little more for a chic setting. It is open from the first day in April (no joke) to the beginning of October.
Choose to visit Waikiki Beach Club for the sangria, exotic cocktails (have you ever tried a Brazilian caipirinha?), or a natural fruit juice. On the food menu, there are different seafood entrees, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
During the summer nights, tiki torches and candles illuminate the beach in front of Waikiki Beach Club as music entertains customers. It is also one of Costa da Caparica’s sunset party locations.
📍 Location: JQ2R+M9W, Costa de Caparica, Portugal
Taste Your Way Through Lisbon on Tour
Experience a slice of life in Lisbon on a fun evening out on our Best of Bairro Alto: Food & Wine Tour. You’ll get to eat and drink your way across the best bars, tascas, and pastry shops in the neighborhood.
Discover the most incredible wines, cocktails, and petiscos, and even make some new friends along the way in this colorful and cultural corner of the city.
Featured Review: Best of Bairro Alto Tour
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Our Guide Eva was amazing! She is so friendly, she taught us so much about the history of Portugal and its foods and its culture. She has great rapport with the restaurant staff. We felt that this visit was like having your daughter take you on a tour of her favorite places. EXCELLENT! We felt she went above and beyond being a tour guide!”
– Stephen
Beach Bars Near Lisbon FAQs
What is the best beach area near Lisbon for beach bars?
Costa da Caparica is one of the best areas near Lisbon for a beach-bar day, with roughly 15 kilometers of sandy coastline and numerous bars and restaurants along the beaches. It’s particularly popular with locals and offers everything from casual seafood and drinks to livelier sunset spots.
Can you visit Lisbon beach bars without a car?
Yes, several beach-bar areas are accessible by public transportation. Carcavelos is especially convenient, with trains running from Cais do Sodré, while Costa da Caparica can be reached by bus. However, for more remote spots such as Bar do Guincho, a car is considerably more convenient.
What should you order at a beach bar in Lisbon?
Seafood, grilled fish, sandwiches, salads, and cold drinks are common choices at Lisbon-area beach bars. Try the best 8 seafood dishes in Lisbon as a starting point.
Where do people from Lisbon go to the beach?
People from Lisbon most commonly head to the beaches of Costa da Caparica or along the Cascais coast. Costa da Caparica is particularly popular, as it has 15 kilometers of beaches located just outside the city. In the Cascais coast, visit beaches like Carcavelos, Oeiras, Santo Amaro, Parede, and São Pedro. If you love surfing, Guincho is a favorite.
