Costa da Caparica – town beaches

Costa da Caparica · Lisbon coast · Portugal

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The town beaches of Costa da Caparica (CDS, Santo António, Tarquínio, Dragão Vermelho, Praia Nova) line up between groyne jetties south of the Tagus. Each jetty holds a sandbank with peaks both ways, so there is almost always a wave somewhere. It is Lisbon's main beach for surf schools, with something for every level.

Level
Beginners
Break
Jetty, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Crowded
Season
autumn, winter, spring, summer
Boards
Foam boards and longboards for learning, shortboards and fish when it has size.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m west swell with an east wind; it works on all tides.

When it doesn't

✕ Strong north-west winds, which are common on summer afternoons.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • rocks
  • crowds

Best months

September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June

Local tips

Compare a few jetties before you paddle out; one is often much better than its neighbour. Respect other surfers and keep the beach clean.

Getting there

Cross the 25 de Abril bridge and follow the IC20 straight to Costa da Caparica; buses run from Lisbon. Parking is hard in summer.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent: open to west and south-west swells, it has surf on about 150 days a year. Spring storms can bring big wedges and barrels.
Crowd and vibe
Crowded at weekends, with schools, locals and day trippers. Guides mention localism at a few peaks, so keep to the schools' areas if you are learning.
Camping and vans
Orbitur Costa da Caparica is 200 m from the beach, and the INATEL campsite is about 1 km away. Nearest campsite about 0.5 km away.
Facilities
Lifeguards in summer, toilets, showers, many surf schools, surf shops, beach bars and restaurants.
Water quality
All the town bathing points were rated excellent in 2025 (APA), and most fly a Blue Flag in 2026.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–WNW best, SSW–NNW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 3 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore NNE–ESE; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
WSW (250°)

Live cams

Cams © their operators, shown from the operator's own feed.

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Lisbon coast · All spots

Sources