5 Best Sights in South of the River, Lisbon

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.

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. 

Crashing waves, jagged cliffs, and tall dunes make for a dramatic view at Praia do Meco, which found fame in the 1970s as one of the first nudist beaches in Portugal. Today, this 5-km (3-mile) sweep of beach is a popular spot with surfers and day-tripping families, but those keen to get an all-over tan can head due south to Rio da Prata, a clothing-optional section of the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee). Best for: solitude; surfing; 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.