When Lisbon’s hot summer days kick in, locals beeline to the beaches and beach bars.
Who doesn’t love cool drinks, mouthwatering snacks, and great views of the surf (and surfers)? Coastal living is an integral part of life in Portugal, and downtown Lisbon is between 15 minutes to an hour from spectacular beaches. Sound good? Head to one of these fabulous Lisbon beach bars to chill out like a local.
Are you desiring trendy Lisbon beach bars from your next trip? Consider visiting Costa da Caparica and the Estoril Coastline if proximity to the capital is essential. Or, you can venture further to more must-see, picturesque locations like Sintra. Set your towel near one of these five hangouts for easy access to seafood, snacks, and drinks while relaxing under the summer sun.
1. Bar Moinho
This cozy spot (with sunning chairs and umbrellas) is perfect when you want to read by the beach. It’s also a lovely place to watch a sunset. Bar Moinho is easy to reach from its semi-hidden location in Carcavelos. Plan 20-25 minutes when traveling there by car. Or, take the train from Cais do Sodré in the same amount of time (the train only costs a few euros). The beaches in Carcavelos are small but become popular spots for families and locals who don’t want to travel too far. Are you visiting during the winter months? Sit inside with an order of hot chocolate or tea.
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.
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.
4. Yamba
Yamba is a cozy, wooden beach cabin offering holistic dishes, made with local ingredients, and natural juices. They also whip up an eclectic range of cocktails. At this cool, low-key bar, customers can sit on cozy bean bags and dig their toes in the sand while listening to a DJ at sunset. This is one of Costa da Caparica’s more hidden spots, located at the Praia do Castelo.
5. 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.