10 Best Sights in South of the River, Lisbon

Frequently cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, Galapinhos has such white sand and crystalline water that it appears almost Caribbean. Surrounded by the wild nature of Arrábida's hills (wild boar have been spotted taking a dip here during the heat of summer), it's best visited outside the July–September summer season, when things get busy and access to vehicles is restricted. There's parking nearby for the rest of the year, but you'll need to follow a rough path to reach the beach itself. Amenities: food and drink (summer). Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

Calm and clear water, a workout station, and a diving platform make the western stretch of Sesimbra Beach a favorite with families and athletic young folk. Boats docking here in the summer whisk beach-hoppers off to hard-to-reach strands, but with the pine-covered hills stretching right down to the sand and a café-bar doing a brisk trade in wine, ice cream, and seafood, there's plenty of reason to stay put. The beach has wheelchairs and an access point during the July–September high season and has won national awards for accessibility. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (summer); parking (fee); showers; toilets (summer). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Lisbon's answer to Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer was inaugurated in 1959 as a mark of thanks for Portugal's safety during the violence of World War II. Today, it's an important religious site, but most casual visitors come here for the spectacular views from the free lookout or the 262-foot-high viewing platform, reached by elevator.

When young Lisboetas want to go to the beach, they'll often cross the bridge for the Costa da Caparica, which packs out in summer with bronzed locals. As a former fishing village, the town itself lacks charm but the beachfront is lively with dozens of cafés and bars catering to a relaxed surf-loving clientele. The further south you go, the quieter it gets. Each beach is different: the areas nearest Caparica are family-oriented, while more southerly ones attract a younger crowd with beach parties (there are some nudist beaches, too). Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.

Almada's eye-catching Mouth of the Wind elevator is a fun, free, and photogenic way to travel between Almada's Old Town and the pretty gardens and noteworthy restaurants on the riverfront of Cais do Ginjal. Enjoy the views from the glass-fronted cabin as you ascend or descend. 

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão's agricultural traditions are trumpeted on the first Sunday of every month, when a country market is held near the center of town. Here you can buy wine, produce, clothing, kitchen goods, olive oil, and the renowned local queijo de Azeitão, a buttery sheep's cheese.

Sesimbra's beachfront stretches the entire length of the historic downtown area, divided in the middle by a whitewashed fort jutting out to sea. The eastern side, known as Praia da California, is rocky at the far end, with some currents and small waves. During the summer it's packed with sun loungers, pedal boats, and splashing families, but it's blissfully quiet from mid-October through June. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (summer); showers (summer); toilets (summer). Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Still under the radar even among Lisboetas, Cova do Vapor is a fishing hamlet perched at the point where the Tagus meets the Atlantic. The soft-sand beach is Caparica's closest point to Lisbon, and while there are glorious views over the city, the rustic beach shacks make it feel like another world. While crowds of surfers pack most of the Costa da Caparica, there are still vast swaths of space on the sands and gentle dunes here. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Mammoth white sand dunes separate the calm lake at Lagoa de Albufeira from the crashing Atlantic waves on the other side. Kite surfers whiz by, families splash in the waters, and locals wade through the shallows, harvesting shellfish. It's a fascinating scene that gets very busy in summer, but the sunbathing and people-watching opportunities are unparalleled. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); water sports. Best for: walking.

One of the most celebrated of the famous Arrábida beaches, Portinho is a photogenic crescent of golden sand and turquoise waters, flanked on all sides by pine-covered hills. A high-season car ban makes access tough in the summer months, but it's a joy to visit at any other time of year. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.