7 Hidden Beach Coves of Cascais: Portugal's Secret Coastal Treasures

Let me tell you about my first morning in Cascais. I'd rented a car—essential for beach-hopping—and headed just west of town to what locals kept calling 'the wild one.' They weren't kidding. Praia da Cresmina sits where civilization seems to pause and nature takes over.

The drive alone is worth it, winding along dramatic cliffs with the Atlantic stretching endlessly to your left. When I arrived around 9 AM (pro tip right there), I had my pick of parking spots in the small lot above the beach. By noon, it's a different story.

This isn't your manicured resort beach, folks. Cresmina is rugged and authentic. The sand is golden but coarser than the town beaches, and the waves here mean business. My first thought was, 'This isn't for little ones,' but I quickly noticed local families with kids playing in the shallow edges while parents kept watchful eyes.

What makes Cresmina special is the backdrop—towering cliffs frame the beach, creating a natural amphitheater. The constant breeze makes it a hotspot for kite surfers, which became my afternoon entertainment. I'm not too proud to admit I spent two hours mesmerized, nursing a cold Super Bock from the small beach bar.

For families with older kids (I'd say 8+), this beach offers natural adventure that no resort pool can match. Tide pools form at the northern end, creating natural aquariums where my friend's kids discovered tiny crabs and sea anemones—better than any screen time, eh?

Before you go, check out the Duna da Cresmina interpretive center at the top of the beach. It's small but gives great context about the ecosystem you're enjoying. The boardwalks there offer spectacular photo ops without trampling the protected dunes.

If Cresmina gave me a taste of Cascais' wild side, Praia do Guincho delivered the full feast. This expansive beach sits about 5 km northwest of Cascais proper, and boy, is it worth the trip. I've been to beaches on five continents, and Guincho still managed to drop my jaw.

First things first: this isn't your typical family beach if you've got wee ones who like calm waters. Guincho is where the Atlantic shows its muscle. The waves here are magnificent—and powerful. Surfers flock here year-round, creating an energetic vibe that's contagious. I watched teenagers taking surf lessons while their parents lounged nearby, everyone sharing in the stoke.

What makes Guincho family-friendly despite the waves? Space. Glorious space. The beach stretches for nearly 1 km, meaning even on summer weekends, you're not fighting for territory. The northern end tends to be less crowded and offers slightly more shelter from the ever-present wind.

Speaking of wind—prepare for it! This beach is world-renowned for windsurfing and kitesurfing for good reason. I made the rookie mistake of bringing a regular beach umbrella my first visit. After watching it tumble down the beach like an escaped tumbleweed (much to the amusement of locals), I invested in a sand anchor beach umbrella that actually stayed put.

For families, the magic of Guincho happens toward sunset. As day-trippers head back to Lisbon, the beach transforms. The wind often calms, creating a golden hour that's nothing short of magical. This became our family dinner spot—picking up takeaway from one of the seafood restaurants on the road above, then dining with our toes in the sand as the sun painted the sky in pinks and oranges.

Don't miss the boardwalk that runs behind the dunes—it's perfect for a post-beach stroll and offers spectacular views without the sand in your shoes. My wife and I walked it every evening, watching windsurfers catch the last rays of daylight on the water.

If you've got teens who roll their eyes at 'boring' family activities, Praia da Ursa will earn you serious cool points. This isn't just a hidden beach—it's practically a secret level in a video game that requires effort to unlock.

Located near Cabo da Roca (Europe's westernmost point), Ursa doesn't give itself up easily. The 20-minute hike down is steep and requires proper footwear—no flip-flops, folks! I learned that lesson the hard way and nearly did the splits on loose gravel. My hiking sandals saved the day on subsequent visits, providing grip while still being beach-appropriate.

Is it worth the trek? Absolutely. Emerging from the trail to see Ursa's dramatic seascape is like walking into another world. Massive rock formations jut from the ocean and beach, including the bear-shaped rock that gives the beach its name ('ursa' means bear in Portuguese).

This isn't a beach for amenities—there are none. No bathrooms, no snack bars, no rentals. It's just you, the Atlantic, and some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Europe. For my family, this became our adventure day. We packed a serious picnic, plenty of water, and spent hours exploring tide pools, taking photos, and simply sitting in awe of nature's architecture.

A word of caution for families: the currents here can be treacherous. Swimming should be limited to dipping your feet or very shallow splashing. The real joy of Ursa isn't swimming anyway—it's the feeling of discovering a place that mass tourism hasn't touched.

The hike back up is challenging, especially in summer heat, so time your visit for morning or late afternoon. We chose morning and had the beach nearly to ourselves for two hours before other hikers started arriving. By then, we'd already collected our memories and photographs, ready to tackle the climb with smiles despite the effort.

Sometimes you want adventure without quite so much effort, eh? That's where Praia da Adraga comes in—what I like to call 'the perfect compromise beach.' Located near Almocageme village about 15 minutes from Cascais by car, Adraga offers natural beauty that rivals Ursa but with actual facilities and much easier access.

The approach alone is worth the trip—a winding road through rural Portuguese countryside dotted with stone walls and the occasional grazing sheep. The small parking lot fills quickly in summer, so arriving before 11 AM is your best bet (I learned this after circling for 30 minutes on my second visit).

What makes Adraga perfect for families is the balance it strikes. The beach is sheltered by cliffs that create a natural cove, keeping waves manageable in the center while still offering enough action at the edges to keep teens entertained. Rock formations at both ends of the beach create natural exploration zones where I watched kids of all ages discovering marine life in tide pools.

Unlike wilder beaches, Adraga has lifeguards in summer months, a decent restaurant (Restaurante da Adraga) serving fresh seafood with a view, and basic facilities including bathrooms and outdoor showers. After a week of packing picnics, having the option to enjoy a proper meal without leaving the beach felt downright luxurious.

My favorite Adraga memory? Walking through the massive rock arch at the north end of the beach during low tide. Check tide times before you go—this natural wonder is only accessible when the Atlantic retreats. I brought my waterproof phone case and captured photos inside the arch that became the highlight of my Portugal Instagram posts.

For families with mixed ages or mobility levels, Adraga hits the sweet spot—accessible enough for grandparents to join but interesting enough to keep adventure-seeking teens engaged. We met a three-generation family from Toronto who had made it their base for three days straight, with different family members finding their own perfect spots along the beach.

Here's something I've learned in my years of travel: when locals go quiet or change the subject when you ask about their favorite beach, you're onto something good. That's exactly what happened when I mentioned Praia do Abano to my hotel receptionist. Her hesitation told me everything—this was the locals' secret spot.

Nestled between Guincho and the Cabo da Roca road, Abano is easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for. The small dirt parking area and modest signage don't scream 'amazing beach ahead!' But trust me on this one.

A short but steep path leads down to a compact cove that feels worlds away from the more popular beaches. The first thing you'll notice is the calm—Abano is sheltered from the prevailing north winds by its orientation and surrounding cliffs, making it significantly less blustery than nearby Guincho.

This natural wind protection creates ideal conditions for families with younger children. The waves are gentler, the sand stays put (instead of exfoliating your skin whether you want it or not), and beach setups remain intact. I watched a father build an elaborate sand castle with his daughter—something that would have been impossible on windier beaches.

Abano's compact size creates a community feel. During my visits, I noticed the same Portuguese families returning day after day, setting up in 'their spots' and greeting each other like old friends. By my third visit, I was getting nods of recognition—the ultimate compliment for an outsider.

The beach has no facilities except for a seasonal beach bar (Bar do Fundo) that serves simple drinks and snacks. Come prepared with everything you need, including shade. I recommend a pop-up beach tent that can be secured with sand—it saved us during midday heat when the limited cliff shade was already claimed by early arrivals.

For families, the real magic of Abano is the sense of discovery and ownership it provides. Your kids will feel like they've found their own private beach in Portugal—because in many ways, they have.

Not every beach adventure requires a car or a hike. Sometimes the perfect family beach day is the one that fits effortlessly into your schedule—and that's where Praia da Ribeira comes in. Located right in Cascais town, this small beach delivers big on convenience without sacrificing charm.

I discovered Ribeira almost by accident during an early morning walk. While tourists slept in, local families were already setting up for the day on this compact stretch of sand near the marina. The scene was quintessentially Portuguese—multi-generational groups sharing breakfast, fishermen mending nets at the water's edge, and the smell of fresh coffee wafting from nearby cafés.

What makes Ribeira ideal for families is its protected position in the bay. The water here is significantly calmer than at beaches facing the open Atlantic, creating a natural swimming pool that's perfect for younger children. The gradual entry into the water means toddlers can splash safely while parents relax a few feet away.

The beach's location in town means you're surrounded by amenities. Forgotten your sunscreen? There's a pharmacy two minutes away. Kids suddenly starving? Dozens of restaurants and ice cream shops line the adjacent promenade. Need a break from the sun? The lovely Marechal Carmona Park is a five-minute walk away, offering shaded playgrounds and peacocks that delight children of all ages.

During our stay, Ribeira became our go-to for 'easy' beach days—those mornings when organizing a major excursion felt too ambitious or afternoons when we just wanted a quick dip after sightseeing. The proximity to town meant we could easily split up based on family members' interests; my wife could shop in Cascais' boutiques while I supervised sand castle construction, then we'd regroup for lunch.

Don't miss the western end of the beach where a small tidal pool forms—it's warmer than the ocean and perfect for the smallest swimmers. We also discovered that the beach is beautifully lit at night, making it ideal for a post-dinner stroll with ice cream from Santini's (a local institution that's worth every calorie).

I'm saving Tamariz for last not because it's a hidden secret—it's actually the most famous beach in the area—but because it offers such a classic Portuguese beach experience that it deserves mention despite its popularity.

Located in Estoril, just a 5-minute train ride from Cascais (or a gorgeous 30-minute walk along the seafront promenade), Tamariz is where Portuguese beach culture comes alive in all its glory. This is where you'll find the full European beach experience—rows of colorful umbrellas, beachside restaurants serving fresh seafood, and a diverse crowd from babies to grandparents all enjoying the sun together.

What makes Tamariz work for families despite its popularity is the infrastructure. Everything is designed for convenience—clean bathrooms, outdoor showers, lifeguards, gentle water entry, and even a seawater pool adjacent to the beach that offers swimming without waves when the ocean gets rough.

My family's Tamariz ritual became our transition day activity—we'd go there on arrival day to shake off jet lag or on departure day when we needed to check out of accommodations but had hours before our flight. The proximity to the train station meant we could easily continue to the airport without returning to our base.

The beach is backed by a lively promenade with ice cream stands, casual restaurants, and the impressive Estoril Casino (the inspiration for Casino Royale, for any Bond fans). This creates a natural break from the beach when kids need a change of scenery or when the midday sun becomes too intense.

One of my favorite discoveries was the beachfront restaurant Tamariz—yes, same name as the beach—where you can enjoy surprisingly good seafood with your toes practically in the sand. Their grilled dourada (sea bream) became our farewell meal tradition, accompanied by vinho verde and the sound of waves.

For maximum enjoyment, I recommend bringing a quick-dry beach blanket rather than regular towels. The sand here is fine and gets everywhere, but these blankets shake clean easily and take up minimal space in your day bag.