Costa da Caparica |
Caparica is a short drive or ferry ride from Lisbon on the southern side of the Tagus River, and consists of a seemingly endless string of beaches attracting large numbers of beach lovers. The area reaches all the way down to the Cabo Espichel, a stunning viewpoint with an attractive disused sanctuary complex and church, which is still in use, built close to the cliffs. Caparica's beaches are relatively unpolluted and due to the extent of the sand they are less crowded than those along the Cascais/Estoril coast. During the summer months a small train transports beachgoers along nearly 10 km of beach. There are different areas, including nude and gay areas, but no real segregation. Every few hundred metres along the beach there is a restaurant or wooden beach bar. Surfing and bathing is popular down the whole stretch of coast, but the more northern beaches tend to have more lifeguards on duty in the summer and the further south you venture, the fewer tourists you’ll find. Further down the line nudism becomes more normal. Getting to Caparica from Lisbon by public transport is relatively easy during the high season when regular buses run directly from Campo Grande or a short ferry journey can take you from Praça do Comércio to Cacilhas where you can catch a bus to Caparica. |