Best Oeiras beaches in Portugal

From Algés to Carcavelos, passing through Paço de Arcos, the municipality of Oeiras has several beaches worthy of your towel right at the mouth of the River Tagus. They may not have the fame of the best beaches in Cascais, or the beauty and grandeur of the best beaches in Sintra, but they’re perfect for a quick dip in the summer, while you take a walk along the region’s extraordinary seafront promenades.

The best beaches in Oeiras are strategically located close to the big city of Lisbon and have all the necessary infrastructure for a day well spent by the sea. In this article I’m going to introduce you to 11 different beaches, are you ready to get to know them?

MORE ARTICLES FROM CENTRAL PORTUGAL:

- Things to do in Espinho
- Things to do in Ovar
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Aveiro to Costa Nova

- Things to do in Mira beach
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Schist Villages in Portugal
- Things to do in Figueira da Foz

- Visit Monsanto in Portugal
- Historical Village of Piódão
- Historical Villages of Portugal

- Things to do in Leiria
- Visit Batalha Monastery and surroundings
- Visit Alcobaça Monastery and surroundings
- Things to do in Fátima
- Visit Mira de Aire Caves
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Visit Berlenga Island

- Best beaches in Ericeira
- Visit Ursa Beach
- Best Beaches in Sintra
- Best Beaches in Cascais and Estoril

- Best Costa da Caparica beaches
- Best beaches in Setúbal
- Best Beaches in Sesimbra
- Visit Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach
- Best beaches in Tróia, Comporta and Melides

When to visit the best beaches in Oeiras?

This is a municipality that can be visited at any time of year, without exception. However, it’s when the weather starts to get warmer that you’ll be able to take full advantage of the best beaches in Oeiras, just like any other coastal region. The bathing season generally runs from the beginning of June to the end of September.

How to get to Oeiras?

To make your trip easier, you won’t need a car for your stay in Oeiras, as there is plenty of public transport to get to the town’s main beaches and tourist attractions. I’m talking specifically about the train line that connects Lisbon to Cascais, passing through the municipality of Oeiras at Algés, Cruz Quebrada, Caxias and Santo Amaro, as well as the town’s historic center. You’ll be in Oeiras in less than half an hour from Cais do Sodré.

If you still want to rent a car, use Discover Cars for your car searches and reservations. Oeiras is a good place to drive, and the traffic isn’t as hellish as in the capital.

Accommodation tips to visit the best beaches in Oeiras?

If you haven’t booked your stay in the Oeiras region yet, consider doing so now by following my suggestions below, or by clicking on the blue button to do your own search for available accommodation for the dates of your trip! You should book as far in advance as possible to get the best prices. Whenever possible, opt for accommodation that allows free cancellation, just in case.

Accommodation	Score	Location
Holiday Inn Express	8.1	Porto Salvo
Moov Hotel Oeiras	8.4	Porto Salvo
Lagoas Park Hotel	8.8	Porto Salvo
Palácio dos Arcos	8.7	Paço de Arcos
Lisbon Country Villa	8.5	Barcarena
B&B HOTEL Lisboa Oeiras	8.0	Oeiras
Hotel Real Oeiras	8.0	Oeiras
Oeiras Historic Bedrooms	9.3	Oeiras

SEARCH FOR MORE ACCOMMODATIONS IN OEIRAS

Best beaches in Oeiras

In the municipality of Oeiras, there are beaches along all the coast, some better than others, obviously. I’ve decided to start this section with the ones on the border with Carcavelos, then head towards Algés. To make it easier for you to plan your trip, below is a map identifying the 11 beaches I’m going to mention.

The beaches in Oeiras are generally sheltered from the waves and are ideal for families with children. They are especially popular with locals, as tourists prefer the beaches of Cascais and Estoril. At weekends, especially in summer, they are always packed.

Map of the best beaches in Oeiras

1. Torre Beach

Torre beach stands out for its proximity to two incredible attractions in the municipality of Oeiras: the enormous fort of São Julião da Barra (which is the origin of the beach’s name), and the Recreational Port (marina). This is where the Oeiras seafront promenade begins, which continues along the seafront all the way to Paço de Arcos beach (3km).

The São Julião da Barra Fort was built in the 16th century, during the reign of King João III, with the aim of reinforcing the defensive system of the mouth of Tagus River. In the 19th century it was a military college and later a prison. It also featured prominently in the French invasions as the last line of resistance in the so-called Lines of Torres Vedras. It was decommissioned in 1947 and is now under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense, allowing only group visits by appointment.

2. Oeiras Ocean Pool

The Oeiras Ocean Pool is located at the rear of the Recreational Port and Marina, and is an excellent alternative to all the beaches mentioned in this article. Did you know it has salt water?

It’s a fabulous leisure space with two water depths suitable for both adults and children. 40cm for children and up to 2 meters for adults.
It also has jumping platforms with boards, which will certainly please the younger ones.
It’s only open in June, July, August and September, and of course it’s a fee-paying place.
It has plenty of support facilities, including sun loungers, parasols, changing rooms, permanent surveillance and covered parking for over 200 spaces.

3. Santo Amaro Beach

Santo Amaro beach is the largest in Oeiras, and also the closest to the town center, so it can be the ideal place for a quick dip before or after visiting it. The Marquis of Pombal Palace, the main attraction in the center of Oeiras, is just 1 km away, just a little more than the size of the actual beach. 😀

At one end of the beach stands the Fort of São João das Maias, built in the 17th century to protect the mouth of Tagus River, like the previous Fort of São Julião da Barra. In 1976 it was handed over to the Social Services of the Armed Forces as a vacation camp. It cannot be visited inside.

4. Fontaínhas Beach

I visited Fontaínhas beach at low tide, so I didn’t have the opportunity to see it in all its splendor. It’s during high tide that the water invades the space, forming a sort of lagoon between the rocks and the wall of the Oeiras promenade. Or so I’ve heard! 😉 At that time, the sand almost doesn’t exist.

5. Paço de Arcos Beach

Paço de Arcos Beach is another of the municipality’s wonders. It’s very close to the Vila Galé Palácio dos Arcos Hotel, and also to another beach in Oeiras called Old beach of Paço de Arcos. I hope you’ll be lucky enough to see the Maritime Geyser in operation, next to which lots of boats usually dock.

If you have more time in the municipality, I recommend you visit the Poets Park, which is much nicer than the Paço de Arcos garden you’ll find near the beaches. It’s not too far away and is a tribute to dozens of Portuguese poets and poets from Portuguese-speaking territories. It’s a lovely, magnificent place with a fabulous viewpoint at the top and a rooftop bar where you can watch the sunset. Don’t miss this place out, trust me! 😉

6. Old beach of Paço de Arcos

7. Caxias beach

Next up are the beaches of Caxias and São Bruno, located near two other fortresses on the Oeiras coast: the Fort of Nossa Senhora de Porto Salvo and the Fort of São Bruno. Both date back to the 17th century; the former is also known as Giribita Fort or Ponta do Guincho Fort.

Close by you’ll find another extraordinary garden in the municipality of Oeiras, the Royal Garden of Quinta de Caxias. It is a must-see, free of charge attraction, with a monumental waterfall and various terracotta sculptures by Machado de Castro, including the mythological goddess of hunting, Diana.

It’s near these beaches that the Algés seafront promenade begins, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy walking too. 😉

8. São Bruno Beach

9. Cruz Quebrada Beach

As far as the other three beaches in the municipality of Oeiras are concerned, I would like to inform you that they are unofficial and there is information that bathing there is not advisable from time to time. I’m not sure about water pollution, but if you’re in any doubt, it’s best just to take a dip at Caxias beach, which is official and well prepared for the purpose.

Cruz Quebrada beach, in particular, is near the mouth of the Jamor river, which in turn runs through one of the largest sports complexes in Portugal. You should go for a walk around it, visiting the national stadium, the swimming pool complex, the mini-golf areas, the urban and forest park, etc.

Praia da Cruz Quebrada em Oeiras — Cruz Quebrada Beach in Oeiras

10. Dafundo Beach

Dafundo beach is the venue for the NOS Alive summer festival, as a curiosity. Nearby, don’t forget to visit Vasco da Gama Aquarium, which, as the name suggests, has several aquariums with marine species, with the fauna of the Portuguese coast in the spotlight. 😉

11. Algés Beach

Finally, Algés Beach. The Port of Lisbon’s Maritime Traffic Control Tower, inaugurated in 2001, stands out in the landscape as a curiously shaped building.

Images of the Oeiras and Algés seafront promenades

As I suggested throughout the text, don’t miss out on a walk along the Oeiras seafront promenade, which is super pleasant! Please note that scooters and bicycles are only allowed where there is a cycle path.

Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras — Oeiras seafront promenade

Don’t forget Travel Insurance

Also, consider getting travel insurance when visiting Portugal, especially if you plan on engaging in hiking and more adventurous water sports. Opt for prevention against any potential mishaps!

>>> Travel Insurance with World Nomads