Costa da Caparica is one of the best urban beaches in Europe: thirty kilometres of Atlantic sand running south from the town of Caparica, facing the open ocean rather than the river. The waves are real — this is the Atlantic, not a sheltered bay — and the beach draws surfers as well as families. The northern end near the town is busiest; the further south you go, the more space you get. The mini-train that runs along the coast in summer makes it easy to hop between beach accesses.
The water is clean but cold by Mediterranean standards (around 18–19°C in summer). Beach bars (chiringuitos) operate along the northern stretches in season, serving beer, grilled fish, and sandwiches. Parking in the town fills up fast on summer weekends; coming by bus from Cacilhas is both cheaper and less stressful.