Discover Almada, Portugal: Beaches, Views & Culture Near Lisbon
Almada is a city and a municipality in Portugal, located on the southern margin of the Tagus River, within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The city is connected to Lisbon by the 25 de Abril Bridge.
A local friend referred to Almada as “The Staten Island of Lisbon” and I argued “But they have Jesus!” and his response was “Yeah, but he is looking toward Lisbon”...
But, all jokes aside, Almada is worth a visit if time allows. Boasting great seafood restaurants with authentic Portuguese fare, sweeping views of Lisbon, and Statue of Christ the King (Cristo Rei),
Only a 15 minutes ferry ride from Lisbon (the terminal is directly across the street from Time Out Market and uses the Lisbon viagem card), it is worth a half or full day trip to visit some of these highlights or the amazing beaches in the warmer months.
How to Get To Almada
Depending on final destination, your mode of transportation may vary, but this is how to get from Lisbon to Almada
🚗By Car
A Bolt will take just over 20 minutes to reach Almada, and cost approximately 12-15€ (depending on traffic and demand)
🚂By Train
This will vary based on starting point, but the Setúbal bound train from Campolide is direct and takes less than 10 minutes. From Baixa/Chiado, take the Sintra bound train from Rossio 1 stop (approx 3 minutes) to catch the train to Almada at Campolide.
🛥️By Ferry
This is my favorite way to get to Almada, as it is the most affordable, efficient and offers great views.
The ferry originates from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon. Take the ferry toward Cacilhas.
The ferry to Almada crossing takes less than 10 minutes and costs 1,30€
The ferry can be paid with your Navegante card (there are machines at the terminal) and runs about every 15-20 minutes.
If you walk directly outside the ferry terminal, you will find Cacilhas Square, which boasts seafood restaurants and some great happy hour specials.
From here you can either take a bus, tram, rideshare, or walk to your destination.
For some additional views and great street art, I recommend walking along Cais do Ginjal, then taking Elevador Panorâmico da Boca do Vento up the hill.
Cacilhas
Upon arrival, via ferry, you will be in the vibrant waterfront neighborhood of Cacilhas. Turning right (toward Ponto Final) from the ferry terminal, you will walk along the waterfront past the abandoned shipyards and decaying warehouses, which have been brought back to life by street artists’ colorful graffiti.
Past Ponto Final, you will reach the Elevador Panorâmico da Boca do Vento that will take you up the hill and to the streets of Old Almada, where you can wander the streets, enjoy some authentic Portuguese food, or head to the Sanctuary of Christ the King.
Ginjal Pier
⭐Photos pre-renovation
The once crumbling, graffiti laden riverwalk leading from Cacilhas ferry dock to Elevador Panorâmico da Boca do Vento has been given a full make over! As of August 2025, this walkway has been restored and given new life.
While much of the graffiti has been removed, this walkway still features beautiful street art. Now safer, more inviting, and offering sweeping views of the Tagus River and Lisbon across from it, this walking to Ponto Final is a great way to start your visit in Almada.
Elevador Panorâmico da Boca do Vento
🗺️Lgo da Boca do Vento, 2800-202 Almada, Portugal
🕰️ 9:30a-11:30p Daily
💶Free
The Boca do Vento Elevator, inaugurated in 2000, is a panoramic means of transport, which connects the Historic Center of Almada and Jardim do Rio, overcoming a difference in height of 50 meters. The elevator not only offers a ride up the hill, it’s glass capsule provides incredible views of the Tagus River and the city of Lisbon.
⭐🚾 There is a free bathroom at the bottom of the elevator.
Ponto Final
🗺️R. do Ginjal 72, 2800-285 Almada, Portugal
🕰️Open Daily (except Tuesday) 12:30p-4p, 7p-12:30a
💶€€–€€€
The perfect first, or final, stop when visiting Almada, Ponto Final is a delightful restaurant in an idyllic location, set amongst former fishing sheds; the Ponto Final delivers fantastic views of Lisbon and its famous bridge.
⭐Reservations strongly suggested
Jardim Rio
If you can’t secure a reservation at Ponto Final, or would prefer a more budget friendly alternative, head to nearby Jardim Rio for a picnic with equally stunning views in a more casual setting.
🗺️Sítio do Olho de Boi, 2800-205 Almada
If reservations, budget, or just desire are a hinderance to a meal or drink at Ponto Final, there is plenty of open green space just beyond it at the base of The Boca do Vento panoramic elevator, that is the perfect spot to have a picnic or enjoy a bottle of vine and take in the views. Here you will find many locals and in-the-know tourists enjoying the sunsets in the evenings.
⭐Pro Tip: Bolt and Uber Eats will deliver to the park.
Almada
Sanctuary of Christ the King (Cristo Rei)
🗺️Alto do Pragal, Av. Christ the King, 2800-058 Almada
The Sanctuary of Christ the King is a Catholic monument and shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ overlooking the city of Lisbon situated in Almada, in Portugal. It was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, after the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon visited that monument.
Entering the grounds and surrounding areas, which are wonderfully manicured and offer incredible views, is free.
Inside the Sanctuary is a chapel, as well as an elevator that takes you up (almost all the way; there are 59 steps to go once you exit the elevator) to an observatory. The cost to go up the elevator is 6€ per adult. On a clear day, views from the terrace can span 25km!
The Sanctuary can be reached by (uphill) walk, or Uber/Bolt from the Ferry.
Almada Beaches
Almada has some of the best, and most conveniently located baches from Lisbon. Here you will find an array of beaches, including a "naturalist” beach for those looking to avoid tan lines.
Calçadão da Costa da Caparica
"Calçadão da Costa da Caparica" refers to the promenade along the beach of Costa da Caparica, in Almada, Portugal. Along the promenade, you will find bike and walking paths, numerous bars, restaurants and cafes, and views.
How to get to Calçadão da Costa da Caparica from Lisbon
🚌By Bus
The Carris Metropolitana bus 3710 departs every 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the time of day and the season, from Avenida Padre Manuel da Nóbrega by Praça Francisco Sá Carneiro.
There’s also the more infrequent 3709 (operating only on weekdays and only about half a dozen times a day), departing from Parque Eduardo VII, by Praça Marquês de Pombal.
These buses take 55 minutes to reach Costa da Caparica and end up at the same terminal, by Praça Padre Manuel Bernardes in the center of town, about a 10-minute walk from the beach.
🚂By Train
How to get from Lisbon to Costa da Caparica by train will vary based on starting point, but the Setúbal bound train from Campolide is direct and takes less than 10 minutes. From Baixa/Chiado, take the Sintra bound train from Rossio 1 stop (approx 3 minutes) to catch the train to Almada at Campolide. Connect to Bus 3025 in Almada to take you to Costa da Caparica in about 25 minutes.
⭐The 3025 can get VERY crowded, especially at the end of the day and can have an unpredictable schedule. It can be more efficient to take an Uber or Bolt back to the train station than taking the bus.
🚗By Ride Share
An Uber or Bolt is the easiest way to get to Costa da Caparica
Depending on destination, time of day, traffic, and demand, a Bolt from the City Center will take approximately 25 minutes and cost approximately 15€ each way (this can increase significantly if leaving the beach at peak time as cars are more limited on the Almada side).
Best Beaches in Costa da Caparica
Along the 18.6km expanse of Calçadão da Costa da Caparica, you will find numerous beaches. While they have various ratings, I personally think you can’t go wrong with any of them (jut avoid the ones closest to the river). These are some of the most popular beaches, and ones I personally like to go to the most.
Praia da Mata
Famous for sunsets, this sandy beach area features beach clubs with chairs and umbrellas, bars, cafes, and restaurants. This is a great area for swimming and beach activities.
Praia da Mata is also frequently acclaimed for being clean and pristine.
Praia da Rainha
This beautiful, but small stretch of beach has everything you need to enjoy a great beach day, with plenty of facilities, cafes. and calm waters it is perfect for any beachgoer.
Just be aware, this section of beach can get quite crowded as it is one of the smaller beaches in the area.
Praia da Fonte da Telha
My go-to beach in Almada, Praia da Fonte da Telha seems to go on forever, so you have the option of being amongst the party crowd, grabbing a chair and umbrella at one of the many beach clubs, or walking further down to enjoy peace and seclusion. Here you will find families, groups of teenagers, solo beach goers, and everything in between.
⭐The far end of Praia da Fonte da Telha is Praia naturista da Adiça, a naturist beach. There is a sign, but it is a bit small and easy to miss, but if you stumble into nudist territory, you will likely know pretty quickly. See below for more info
If you pass these, you are about to be in nude beach territory🙃
Naturist (Nude) Beaches Near Lisbon
Not a fan of tan lines? No problem! In Costa da Caparica you will find these nude beaches to enjoy carefree fun all the way in the sun.
These beaches are open and welcoming to everyone from families to singles and are generally very lowkey and casual like any other beach… just without pesky clothes.
Praia naturista da Adiça
At this nude beach near Lisbon you will find everything from families to couples to friend groups and solo sun lovers. This naturist beach expands over 1.5kms so there is plenty of space to enjoy the beach in birthday suit without being on top of your nude neighbors.
While you can go quite a distance down the beach, keep in mind there are no facilities (bathrooms, restaurants, etc), so bring snacks and drinks, or be prepared to walk to the closest facilities on Praia da Fonte da Telha.
Beach 19
Often referred to as “Gay Beach 19”, and said to be “Europe's largest gay beach”, this nudist beach is open to all sun lovers, though the majority of folx you will find here are gay men.
It is a gorgeous stretch of beach with sand dunes, calm water and a mix of active and relaxed beachgoers.
Beach 19 is unique in that its location offers a greater level of seclusion (due to the rising sand dunes and cliffs), but this also comes at the cost of having no facilities - not even bathrooms, so be prepared with a picnic and drinks if you opt to go to this beautiful, buff, beach.
⭐Like Praia da Fonte da Telha, the signage for this nude beach is quite small, so it may take a little effort to find
Whether you venture over to Almada for a riverside meal, to see the iconic Cristo Rei, to take in some views, enjoy some beach time or all of the above; it is well worth committing part of your visit to Lisbon to this neighborhood.
I came to Portugal 4 years ago & fell in love.
Since then, I spend half the year in Portugal, exploring the country like both a local & a curious traveler—sharing insights on popular spots, gems, & where to eat, wander, & soak in the magic of everyday Portuguese life.
