Praia da Adraga – popular beach with locals

Praia da adraga bij de grotten eb

Less than three quarters of an hour’s drive, about 44 kilometers from Lisbon, lies perhaps the most beautiful beach in Portugal, and possibly even in Western Europe: Praia da Adraga. This beautiful, rugged beach awaits at the bottom of a narrow, winding road that leads you from the N247 through the village of Almoçageme.

Although Praia da Adraga is no longer as pristine as it used to be, its beauty is still impressive. Large pieces of mesh try to control the rock formations on both sides of the beach, indicating the need for it. In the past, considerable boulders have fallen down.

Tip from Luis (75)
“As a teenager, I loved coming to this beach. With friends, I walked along the beach, philosophizing about life. And sometimes, very occasionally, we would also meet girls there.”
 
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Enjoying with the family at Praia da Adraga

Praia da Adraga is truly a beach for the local population. During the winter months, you’ll see people enjoying a walk with their dog. In the mornings, the local fishing association fishes delicacies from the sea with large fishing rods.

Especially during the summer, when the sun is higher and the temperatures become more pleasant, families come to Praia da Adraga. Usually not for swimming, as even in calm weather, the sea on the Atlantic coast is quite rough. But the beach itself is perfect for playing with children. The many rocks and caves on the beach make it very adventurous for the kids. In August, the sea is a bit calmer, with more chance of a green flag.

Occasionally, you’ll also see surfers here, as the waves are ideal. But it’s definitely not as crowded as Praia do Guincho!

Discover the hidden beaches and caves

On the south side of the beach, hidden behind the rocks of the arch, there is an extensive network of caves with a small beach in front of it (only accessible at low tide).

You can go there at low tide, but be careful: the caves are very dark, and even at low tide, the waves come quite far onto the beach. So, it is not advisable to lay down a towel here with your family!

Explore the beautiful rocks and adventurous hiking trails of Praia da Adraga

Both to the left and right of the beach, you will find impressive rocks that are walkable. The route runs to Praia das Maçãs in the north and all the way to Cabo da Roca in the south. For a solid hike, Praia da Adraga is definitely the place to be!

On the south side of the rock formation, you can walk to Fojo da Adraga (or come by car). It’s a hole (cave) in the rocks. Fun if you’re looking for some adventure during a day at the beach !

Delicious food at Restaurante D’Adraga

Right on the beach, you’ll find Restaurante D’Adraga, where time seems to have stood still. The restaurant has a classic (some would say “old-fashioned”) decor, with old ship’s wheels on the wall. Perhaps a bit old-fashioned, but it fits wonderfully into this environment!

The food at Restaurante Adraga is excellent! A few years ago, you could have an extensive lunch here for less than €30, but that is no longer the case in 2024. The prices on the menu are relatively high for Portuguese standards, but it’s worth every euro! Both the fish and meat dishes are above average delicious, and the chocolate mousse is delightfully creamy, as it should be.

It is advisable to make a reservation for lunch or dinner. We have driven to Adraga a few times in vain for lunch, only to hear that it would take at least half an hour before we could get a table.

From Lisbon to Praia da Adraga by car

From Lisbon, take the A5 highway towards Cascais. At the very end of the A5, take the N9-1 towards Malveira. Once in Malveira da Serra, the N9-1 becomes the N247 between Cascais and Sintra. Follow the direction of Colares/Sintra and take the exit at Almoçageme. From there, follow the signs to Praia da Adraga.

The scenic route to Praia da Adraga

If you have some time, be sure to take the scenic route. From Lisbon, take the N6 route to Cascais, the coastal road. In Cascais, the N6 ends and becomes the N247, which takes you past, among others, Praia do Quincho. This road is a bit longer than the A5 route, but there is much more to see along the way!

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