Cascais & Estoril Beach Guide: Sunbed Prices & Reviews

Cascais and Estoril, Portugal, are known for their beautiful beaches just outside Lisbon. Connecting the two towns is an epic seaside promenade you may have never heard of called the Paredão (pronounced roughly pah-reh-DOWN).

It’s lined with beach after beach, each with its own sunbeds, restaurants, and vibe. Some are absolutely worth your time, while others are easy to skip.

Since I’m living here in Cascais, I decided to spend the day visiting each one on the Paredão to give you my honest opinion and make it easy to decide which beach is right for you.

In this guide, you’ll find sunbed prices, restaurant recommendations, facilities, crowd levels, and my honest rating for every beach, so you can arrive with a plan instead of wandering from one beach to the next.

Consider this your ultimate guide to the beaches of Cascais and Estoril.

Why the beaches off the Paredão? 

Cascais is home to many beaches not on this list because they are not connected to the Paredão, which are the easiest beaches to visit since they are along the train route. 

These beaches will be busier as a result, but if you are here on a short visit and don’t feel like renting a car, then these are a great choice. 

Depending on which direction you’re coming from, you can start the Paredão in Cascais, just a few minutes from the Cascais train station, or from the Estoril side at Praia da Azarujinha.

If you’re coming from Lisbon for a day trip, one option is to get off the train at São João do Estoril and start your walk from there.

Just be aware that there are stairs to access the Paredão and beach in this area, so it might not be the best starting point if you’re traveling with small children, a stroller, or carrying a lot of beach stuff.

There are four train stations along this stretch of coastline, making it really easy to start or end your beach day wherever you want:

São João do Estoril → Estoril → Monte Estoril → Cascais

You can also start in Cascais and simply work your way toward Estoril, which is the direction I’ll be going in this guide.

Map of the Beaches

Best Beaches in Cascais & Estoril Without Sunbeds

If these sunbed prices hurt your feelings and you just want to know which part of the Paredão has the best beach to throw down your own towel, I’ve got you.

Praia da Azarujinha: My Favorite

If I were choosing purely based on the beach itself, I’d go to Praia da Azarujinha. It’s the first beach at the start of the Paredão when coming from São João do Estoril Train Station, and I’ve always found it less crowded than the beaches closer to Cascais.

To reach the beach, you’ll need to walk down quite a few stairs. Going down isn’t a big deal, but coming back up is something to consider, especially if you’re carrying a lot of beach stuff or have mobility issues.

There is a snack bar and bathrooms onsite, so bring your own towel and umbrella and you can easily make a day of it.

Praia da Rainha: Best Little Beach Cove

Praia da Rainha is a small sandy cove right in Cascais. When it’s not too crowded, it’s a lovely little spot to spend a few hours.

The downside is that it’s tiny, so during peak summer it can fill up very quickly. Go early if you want to claim a good spot.

Praia da Ribeira: Best for Action & Volleyball

If you want to be right in the heart of everything, Praia da Ribeira is another option. It’s located directly in the center of Cascais and is a good choice if you want to play volleyball or prefer a livelier beach atmosphere.

Just know that you’re trading peace and quiet for location. This beach can get VERY busy, especially in summer, so I’d go early.

Other Beaches in Cascais Not on the Paredão

The beaches along the Paredão aren’t your only options in Cascais. If you’re willing to venture a little farther from the town center, there are some beautiful beaches along the coast that are worth knowing about.

Praia do Guincho

Praia do Guincho is probably the most famous beach in Cascais, and visually, it’s one of the most beautiful. Think huge stretches of golden sand, dunes, and a much wilder coastline than what you’ll find along the Paredão.

The catch? It’s windy. And I mean really windy a lot of the time.

That’s part of what makes Guincho so popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, but if your idea of a perfect beach day is lying peacefully on a towel and reading a book, this wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice.

On a calm day, though, Guincho is absolutely gorgeous and worth visiting.

Best for: Surfing, long beach walks, scenery and anyone who prefers a wild, spacious beach.

Not ideal for: A guaranteed relaxing sunbathing day, especially when the wind picks up.

Getting there: Unlike the beaches along the Paredão, you can’t simply hop off the train here. You’ll need to take a bus, taxi/Uber, bike or drive from Cascais.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Beaches in Cascais & Estoril?

If you’re coming to Cascais or Estoril specifically for the beaches, June through September is going to give you the best chance of warm, sunny beach weather.

July and August are peak season, which means the beaches along the Paredão can get VERY busy, especially on weekends.

If you’re visiting during these months and want a sunbed, I’d arrive early.

Most of the sunbeds I’ve mentioned in this guide can’t be reserved online, so you’re taking your chances if you show up in the middle of the afternoon.

Personally, I love June and September. You’ll generally have warm enough weather for the beach without quite as many people as you’ll find during the height of summer.

And don’t completely rule out the shoulder season. Cascais gets plenty of beautiful sunny days outside of summer, and I’ve spent afternoons sitting along the beach well into fall.

Just keep in mind that many of the sunbed setups and seasonal beach restaurants won’t operate year-round.

What Time Should You Arrive?

During July and August, I’d aim to arrive before 10 am, especially if you have your heart set on a particular beach or sunbed setup.

If you’re bringing your own towel and don’t care where you sit, you have a little more flexibility. But the smaller beaches, especially Praia da Rainha and Praia da Azarujinha, can fill up quickly.

One last thing: the Atlantic is cold. Even when it’s 30°C outside, don’t expect Mediterranean water temperatures. 😂