Areia Branca — "white sand" in Portuguese — is the strip of city beach east of the centre, on the road that leads out to Cristo Rei. The sand really is fine and pale, the water is calm and clear most of the year, and the strip of palm-shaded grass behind the beach is where Dili comes to eat fried fish and drink beer at sunset.
A handful of beach shacks serve grilled fish, satay, and cold Bintang. The beach itself is unpatrolled and lined with rough coral in places, so wear sandals in the water. Snorkellers report decent fish life only a few metres offshore. Best on a weekday afternoon, when it is busy but not packed.