According to the British version of The Guardian, on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula, in the Spanish province of Galicia, there are the best beaches in the world. To the south, they are replaced by the famous resorts of Portugal. The capital of the state is Lisbon. The beaches in the vicinity of the administrative, political and cultural center leave a pleasant impression on tourists. Let’s find out what advantages a holiday on the Atlantic coast has in the area of the Lisbon Riviera.
Greater Lisbon. Beaches in the suburbs
The guests of the country are delighted by the dissimilarity of Portugal to other European countries. On the western outskirts of the Old World, majestic castles, forest and fishing villages, resembling landscapes from the tales of the Frenchman Charles Perrault, have been preserved. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for the Portuguese name Cinderella of Europe. On the Atlantic coast of the country there are gorgeous beaches that belong to the territory of the Lisbon Riviera. This name was given to resorts in the bay area, on the banks of which lies the capital of the state - Lisbon. The beaches are mainly located on the land of Cascais Municipality and are located in small towns and villages at a distance of 15–20 km from the capital.
Often the Portuguese Riviera includes part of the Atlantic coast from the extreme western point of Eurasia (metro Roca) to the cities of Sesimbra and Setubal at a distance of more than 70 km from Lisbon.
Conditions on the beaches of the Portuguese Riviera
Weather on the coast is formed under the influence of Atlantic air. Winter is warm, summer is not too hot. The column of the thermometer in July and August rises to +25 ... + 28 ° C during the day, and at night keeps at +16 ° C. Autumn is sunny, warm (about +10 ° C). Residents and guests of the Lisbon Riviera, relaxing on the beaches, admire the clear turquoise water, golden sand of the famous resorts of Cascais and Estoril (Lisbon). The beaches, the photos of which are presented in the article, are famous for good conditions for combining relaxation with informative excursions, windsurfing and kiting lessons.
The most famous resort of the Lisbon Riviera in Europe is Estoril. It has a developed infrastructure, a lot of luxury hotels, villas, shops, cafes, a casino. Cascais in recent years has become a favorite among young people, surfers. Carcavelos attracts tourists not only with its excellent beaches, but also by its proximity to the country's popular attractions. Costa de Caparica is an opportunity for a relaxing holiday with your family on the ocean.
Lisbon: beaches, water temperature, waves
For many guests, the temperature of the Atlantic water in the popular resorts of Estoril, Cascais, Carcavelos, Ginshu is not comfortable enough for swimming. Cooling is caused by the Canary Current, which runs west of the Iberian Peninsula. The beach season begins in May and ends in October, but the water in the ocean off the coast heats up to +22 ° C only in summer and early autumn. The most favorable months for swimming are August and September, when the flow of tourists choosing Lisbon increases.
The beaches, reviews of which are left by the guests of the country, are clean and beautiful. According to eyewitnesses who have already visited the Atlantic coast of Portugal, they quickly become empty on windy days. Sometimes powerful ocean waves pounce on the sand. But these same features have turned the beaches of Lisbon into an attractive area for surfers. The wind subsides in the morning and in the evening, then the best time comes for fans of windsurfing.
How to get to the beaches of Lisbon
Those who choose the best place to stay in Portugal should go to Lisbon. Cascais beaches are a 25-minute drive from the capital. Costa de Caparica can be reached in just 10 minutes. Electric trains depart from the Alcantara Terra train station, located west of the city center. Almost all resort towns and villages within the Lisbon agglomeration are very easy to get to. The transport network is well developed, season tickets are sold, which significantly reduce the cost of travel.
In addition to beach vacations and swimming in azure waters, the resorts have organized leisure activities (water activities, excursions). It should be noted that in summer, the flow of cars increases towards the coast, traffic jams often occur. The number of people on the beaches is growing, many people in Lisbon are happy to spend a weekend on the ocean.