Lisbon is unusually well-served by beaches for a European capital. The closest are along the Estoril Line — the railway from Cais do Sodré runs west along the Tagus and then the coast, stopping at beaches including Estoril and Cascais before reaching its terminus. The water is Atlantic, which means it is noticeably colder than Mediterranean beaches, but the sand is excellent and the scenery dramatic.
Carcavelos is the first ocean-facing beach on the line, a long west-facing stretch that is the best surf beach within easy reach and very popular on summer weekends. Further along, Estoril has a smaller, sheltered beach next to the casino. Cascais itself has several small beaches in and around the town.
On the south bank of the Tagus, Costa da Caparica offers a long stretch of Atlantic beach that Lisboetas prefer for serious beach days — take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then bus. A small train runs along the coast from Caparica in summer, stopping at numbered beach bars. Fonte da Telha and Guincho (near Cascais) are the wilder options for surfers and wind.