There is a specific kind of silence that only exists on the edge of a cliff in Portugal, right before the wind catches your hair and you take that first, inevitable breath of salty Atlantic air. It is the silence of anticipation. For ten years, I have lived in and written about this city, and the most common question I get isn’t about the melancholic fado music or the best custard tarts (though I have strong opinions on both). It is about the water. Specifically, how to get to it, quickly, and without spending the fortune required to eat at a tourist trap on the Ribeira das Naus.
Lisbon is a city of seven hills, yes, but it is also a city defined by the river that cradles it and the vast, roaring Atlantic that slaps against its western flank. The river is for sunset walks and miradouros; the ocean is for the soul. The misconception, however, is that you need a rental car or a fifty-euro train ticket to find the wild, beautiful beaches that make this region legendary. The truth is, Lisbon is the launchpad for some of the most affordable beach escapes in Western Europe. You can be surfing world-class breaks or eating grilled fish in a fisherman’s village for less than the price of a main course in the Chiado district.
I have spent the last month retracing these routes—not as a tourist, but as a local counting every cent, testing the patience of the CP train conductors, and filling up the tank of my aging Fiat Panda to find the absolute limit of what a "cheap day trip" really means. The goal was simple: find the best beach day trips from Lisbon that cost under €15 round trip per person (or under €20 if you’re splitting gas money in a car).
Here is the definitive guide to escaping the city heat for the cool embrace of the Atlantic, without cooling down your bank account.
The Golden Standard: Cascais by Train
Cost: €5.00 - €5.60 (Round Trip with Viva Viagem)
Vibe: Chic, historic, accessible, classic.
If Cascais is the "King of the Beaches," it’s a king who still speaks to the common people. For years, I avoided Cascais because it felt too polished, too "old money." I was wrong. The train ride alone is worth the price of admission. Leaving the stone and graffiti of Cais do Sodré, the train clings to the Tagus estuary, passing the Bugio lighthouse and the lush greenery of the Costa da Caparica on the opposite bank before curving west into the Atlantic wind.
The Logistics
You take the Linha de Cascais commuter train. Do not confuse this with the "Lisbon to Cascais" bus which is slower and often more expensive. You want the train. You buy the Viva Viagem card at any station kiosk (€0.50 one-time cost), load it with money ("Zapping" mode), and tap in. The ride takes about 40 minutes from Cais do Sodré. As of 2026 pricing, the round trip will cost you roughly €5.00 to €5.60 depending on exactly where you hop off (Cascais or the previous stop, Monte Estoril).
The Experience
Once you arrive, you are a two-minute walk from the Praia da Rainha (Queen’s Beach), a tiny, sheltered cove that feels like a secret, despite being right in town. But I suggest you walk past the marina, past the statue of the Discoveries (the one with the egrets standing on the bow), and head toward the Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell). It is a dramatic cliff formation where the Atlantic waves crash into caverns, sending geysers of spray into the air. It is free, it is wind-swept, and it is spectacular.
For the actual swimming, I prefer Praia do Guincho, just a few kilometers north. You can take a local bus (number 15 or 16) from the Cascais station for about €1.50, or take an Uber for €5-€6. Alternatively, you can walk. I’ve done the hike from Cascais to Guincho along the coast; it takes about an hour, but it takes you past some of the most expensive real estate in the country and down into the dunes. Guincho is wild. It is where the windsurfers go. The waves are high, the sand is endless, and the backdrop is the Sintra mountains.
Budget Breakdown
• Train (RT): €5.20
• Water & Snack: €3.00 (buy at Pingo Doce supermarket in Cascais, not the beach kiosk)
• Bus to Guincho (Optional): €3.00
• Total: Under €12.00
Hours
• CP Cascais Line: Trains run every 20–30 minutes daily, starting around 5:30 AM from Cais do Sodré, ending around 1:00 AM.
• Boca do Inferno Viewpoint: Open 24/7.
• Praia do Guincho: Open 24/7; lifeguards on duty June–September, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
The Wild West: Costa da Caparica
Cost: €4.80 - €6.00 (Round Trip)
Vibe: Vast, windy, surfer-heavy, raw.
While Cascais sits on the sheltered side of the river mouth, Costa da Caparica faces the full, unbridled force of the Atlantic. It is the "Cape" of Lisbon. To get there, you have to cross the 25 de Abril Bridge, a twin of the Golden Gate, which feels like a steal of a view for the price of a bus ticket.
The Logistics
From Praça da Espanha or Sete Rios bus stations, you take the Mafrense bus (lines 160, 162, or 164). You can use your Viva Viagem card here too. The trip takes about 35 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic crossing the bridge. The view from the top deck of the bus as you rise above the river and see the Cristo Rei statue shrinking behind you is cinematic. The bus drops you right near the beachfront.
The Experience
Costa da Caparica isn't one beach; it is a 10km stretch of sand divided into numbered sectors. Sector 1 is the town center. It’s crowded, loud, and full of kiosks selling sagas (ices). I avoid it. If you want the real experience, walk north or south. I usually head to Praia da Nova Vaga or Praia do Rei.
The water here is colder, the sand is softer, and the vibe is decidedly local. You will see families with massive umbrellas, surfers in thick wetsuits, and people eating prego (beef sandwiches) on paper plates. There is a distinct lack of pretension here that I adore. It reminds me of the Jersey Shore, but with better food and less spray tan.
The secret to Costa da Caparica is the wind. It is almost always windy. This makes it perfect for kitesurfing, but it means you have to dig your towel into the sand to keep it from flying away to Africa. But the feeling of that wind after you’ve been in the water is revitalizing.
Budget Breakdown
• Bus (RT): €4.80 (approx.)
• Espresso at a local café: €1.00
• Sandwich to go: €4.00
• Total: Under €10.00
Hours
• Mafrense Bus: Frequent service daily, starting around 6:00 AM. Last buses return to Lisbon past midnight.
• Beach Kiosks: Generally open 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (seasonal). Off-season, many are closed.
The Romantic Route: Carvalhal & Comporta (By Car)
Cost: €15.00 (Fuel) - €20.00 (Split between 2-3 people)
Vibe: Bohemian, chic, isolated, "Alentejo-on-Sea."
This is the only entry on the list that requires a car to be truly economical, but if you can wrangle two friends, the math works. The train doesn’t go here. The bus is slow. The car is king. Driving south across the Vasco da Gama Bridge (avoiding the tolls if you take the back roads) takes you into the Alentejo region, the breadbasket of Portugal. But just before you hit the endless cork oaks, you hit the coast at Comporta.
The Logistics
You need a car. Renting a tiny car for a day can be expensive, but if you already own one or use a car-sharing app (like Drivow or Zipcar), the fuel cost is the key. From Lisbon center, it’s about 120km (75 miles). Depending on your car’s consumption, you’ll spend about €15-€18 on fuel round trip.
The Experience
The drive itself is part of the therapy. You leave the urban sprawl, cross the bridge, and suddenly you are driving past rice paddies and vineyards. The air changes. It smells like wild herbs and hot earth. When you reach the coast, the beaches are immense. Praia do Carvalhal is my personal favorite. To get to the water, you have to walk down a wooden boardwalk over massive, shifting dunes. It feels like arriving in a different continent.
The water here is shallower than in Cascais, warming up faster in the summer, and the waves are gentle. It is family heaven. But the real magic is the beach shacks. There is a restaurant called Malhadinha Nova (you need a reservation, and it’s not cheap), but for a budget day, head to Praia do Pego. There is a kiosk there that serves the best percebes (goose barnacles) and grilled squid for reasonable prices. Sitting there, eating seafood caught that morning, with your feet in the sand, is a €15 experience that feels like €100.
Budget Breakdown (per person, assuming 3 people)
• Fuel (Split 3 ways): €5.00 - €7.00
• Parking: €0 (usually free in dirt lots, but arrive early)
• Picnic supplies: €5.00
• Total: Under €15.00
Hours
• Access: Beaches are open 24/7.
• Kiosks/Restaurants: Generally 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM in high season (July-August). Many close in winter.
The Adventurer’s Gamble: Arrábida Natural Park (By Car)
Cost: €10.00 - €15.00 (Fuel)
Vibe: Dramatic, rugged, snorkeling, "Jurassic Park."
If you want to see where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, you go to the Serra da Arrábida. The road (N379) winding up and down the mountain is a masterpiece of engineering (and a bit of a stomach-churner). The beaches here are not golden; they are white, crushed shell sand imported from North Africa centuries ago, giving the water a tropical turquoise hue that defies the latitude.
The Logistics
Again, a car is essential. It’s a 40-minute drive south. The route via the A2 highway (toll) is fastest, but taking the scenic route through Seixal and Almada is toll-free and stunning. The fuel cost is similar to the Comporta trip.
The Experience
You have three main beaches: Portinho da Arrábida, Figueirinha, and Coelhos. Portinho is the most famous. It sits at the foot of the mountain, sheltered by it. The water is so calm and clear it looks like a swimming pool. It is tiny, so you must arrive before 9:30 AM on a summer weekend, or you won't find a spot. Figueirinha is larger, run by the university, and has a canteen vibe. Coelhos is the hidden gem; you have to hike a bit to get there, but you might be the only ones there on a Tuesday morning.
I once spent a whole Tuesday at Portinho with a book, a bag of peaches, and a snorkel mask. The biodiversity here is rich; you can see octopus and cuttlefish right near the shore. It is a place that demands you slow down. The drive down the mountain, with the view of the islands in the distance, is one of the best drives in the world.
Budget Breakdown (per person, 2 people)
• Fuel (Split 2 ways): €7.00
• Parking (Portinho is paid): €3.50 per car (approx)
• Snacks: €4.00
• Total: Under €15.00
Hours
• Portinho da Arrábida: Open daily, but the kiosk and paid parking are staffed roughly 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM. In winter, access is sometimes restricted due to landslides.
• Figueirinha: Open 24/7, but the gate to the parking lot might close at sunset.
The "Secret" Train: Azambuja & Rio Frio
Cost: €8.00 - €10.00 (Round Trip)
Vibe: Rural, authentic, forgotten, "The Real Portugal."
This is for the purists. The ones who don't want to see another tourist. The train line north along the river, the Linha do Norte, is not the scenic coastal route. It is industrial, passing factories and container ports. But if you get off at the right stop, you find a pocket of rural paradise.
The Logistics
Take the train from Santa Apolónia or Oriente towards Azambuja. You are looking for the CP regional train (not the Intercidades). It costs roughly €4.50 one way. You get off at Rio Frio-Benfica. It is a request stop, meaning you have to push a button to let the train know you want to get off.
The Experience
You step off the train into silence. There are no taxis, no buses. Just a dirt track. You walk 20 minutes along the river edge, past vineyards and ruined quintas, until you reach the beach. It is not a manicured beach. It is wild, muddy, and utterly peaceful. This is the estuary of the Tagus meeting the sea. You will see storks nesting on the ruins. You will see fishermen casting nets.
I went here with a friend in late September. We brought a bottle of wine and a hunk of bread. We sat on the concrete ramparts of an old fort and watched the cargo ships drift by in the distance. It was one of the most relaxing days of my life, not because of the amenities, but because of the total lack of them. It is a reminder that nature doesn't need a kiosk to be beautiful.
Budget Breakdown
• Train (RT): €9.00
• Wine & Cheese: €6.00
• Total: Under €15.00
Hours
• CP Line: Trains run roughly every hour, but service thins out on weekends. Check the CP app for the "Rio Frio-Benfica" stop schedule.
• Access: The path to the beach is public and open 24/7.
The Northern Mystery: Santa Cruz & Torres Vedras
Cost: €12.00 - €15.00 (Train + Bus)
Vibe: Local, family-oriented, windy, "The Surfer’s North."
Everyone goes south. It is a psychological barrier. But north of Lisbon, the coast is wilder, less developed, and cheaper. The town of Santa Cruz is a surf hub.
The Logistics
Take the CP train from Oriente or Santa Apolónia towards Torres Vedras. The train ride is about an hour. From the Torres Vedras station, you take a local bus (usually the Santa Cruz bus) for about €2.00. The train ticket is roughly €6.00-€7.00 one way. The connection requires a bit of timing, so check the schedules on the CP and Metropolitano do Tejo websites.
The Experience
Santa Cruz is a village of surfers. The beach is Praia de Santa Cruz. It is a wide bay with a river mouth that creates interesting waves. The water is cold, the air is fresh. The town itself is charming, with a boardwalk and good cafes. I love the vibe here because it feels like a community rather than a resort. You can rent a board for €15 if you want, but just watching the surfers is free entertainment. The cliffs here are dramatic, and the sunset is spectacular.
Budget Breakdown
• Train (RT): €12.00
• Bus (RT): €4.00 (This might push it slightly over €15, but if you have a rail pass or are under 25, it fits).
• Total: Approx €16.00 (Slightly over, but worth the extra Euro).
Hours
• CP/Bus: Check the "Comboios de Portugal" app. Buses connect from Torres Vedras station usually on market days and weekends.
• Praia de Santa Cruz: Open 24/7.
The Ferry Ride: Cacilhas to Almada (The River Beach)
Cost: €2.60 (Ferry Round Trip)
Vibe: Riverside, urban, relaxed, "The Local Swim."
Finally, I cannot write this without mentioning the river beaches. If you don't want the Atlantic waves, the Tagus offers calm, warm water. The best way to reach the beaches of Almada is by ferry.
The Logistics
From Cais do Sodré, take the Transtejo ferry to Cacilhas. The cost is €1.25 each way with the Viva Viagem card. It takes 10 minutes. From Cacilhas, you can walk or take a bus to Praia da Morena or Praia do Tarquínio.
The Experience
These are pebble beaches, mostly. They are small coves protected from the current. On a hot day, this is where Lisboners go. You see people jumping off the rocks, playing paddleball, and drinking super cold beers. It feels like a village inside the city. After your swim, you can walk along the river to the Cristo Rei statue for the best view of Lisbon, or take the ferry back and watch the sunset from the water.
Budget Breakdown
• Ferry (RT): €2.50
• Beer at the kiosk: €1.50
• Total: Under €5.00
Hours
• Ferry: Runs every 15–20 minutes daily.
• Beach Kiosks: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Summary: The Intripper’s Advice
To truly master the art of the Lisbon beach day trip under €15, you have to think like a local. You must embrace the Viva Viagem card, the regional train, and the shared Uber. You must avoid the "tourist traps" like the beaches right next to the train stations in Cascais (walk 15 minutes further) and buy your water at the supermarket, not the kiosk.
My favorite day is still the one where I take the train to Cascais, walk to Guincho, and then take the bus back. It costs me about €10. I bring a sandwich. I listen to the waves. I watch the hang gliders take off from the cliffs. And I realize that the best things in life—and certainly in Lisbon—don't have to cost a fortune. They just require a bit of curiosity, a good pair of walking shoes, and a willingness to follow the tracks until they run out.
Pack your towel. The Atlantic is waiting.