Beach 19, Costa da Caparica

Beach 19 at Costa da Caparica, 30km south of Lisbon's capital, is one of Europe's biggest gay beaches. Dunes and forest border it. Many urban Portuguese come here to swim and mingle as soon as the summer starts.

Directions to Beach 19, Costa De Caparica:

By car: If you're traveling by car, you must go south to Caparica and then south again until you reach the last beach access. If the road goes uphill, then you have gone too far. Next, go past Praia do Rei until you reach the parking at the end of the dust road. When you get to Bela Vista, go south. If you take a taxi, it will take about 20 euros.

By train: Go across the Tagus River to the Pragal railway station and take bus 196 to Caparica.

Additional directions to gay Beach 19 

An alternative route for people without cars is to take the cross-river Ferry from Cais do Sodré on the Lisbon City side to the Terminal of Cacilhas in Almada Municipality. This takes about 10-15 minutes and costs a few Euros. At the Terminal, take bus number 3012 to Fonte da Telha, the end of the line. On leaving the bus, walk back towards Lisbon along the beach, which will take 10 to 15 minutes and is quicker than walking from the car park at Praia da Bela Vista. (Thanks for the tip Richard!)

Check out our directory of gay beaches and gay nude beaches around the world.