Praia do Guincho is considered to be the roughest beach of the Costa de Lisboa, known by many surfers as the surf beach of Portugal.
Because of the location of the beach there is always a strong wind and the waves are quite high! But in addition to surfing, there is also plenty of room to swim in the sea, to walk and to eat somewhere at the many restaurants.
Food with a view
Near the beach is a 17th-century fortress. Today the five-star Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho is located in this fort. This hotel has a Michelin-starred restaurant. From the hotel in the fort you have a beautiful view of the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. When you have the budget, it is worthwhile to eat here.
Dune area
At Guincho you will also find a protected dune area where you can have a walk. Think of it as more of a large dune area where they built a walkway of wood so that you walk above the dunes.
You’re not allowed to get off the path, there is a short and a long route. The path is easy to walk with a stroller. Occasionally the stairs will climb a bit but in general it is good to walk.
Bar Guincho: famous burgers
On the beach you’ll find bar Guincho, a wonderful place to have lunch during your beach visit or if you are hungry when you get there. Unlike the other restaurants that you will come across from the Cascais road, this restaurant is reasonably affordable. They are famous for their Guincho Burgers with wedges and they are indeed worth it!
You arrive at Bar Guincho if you keep following the N247 road after you see the beach in front of you. Just over a small bridge there’s a sign to turn left. After a bumpy road you arrive at the parking lot. You can also park here if you want to go to the beach. During the high season it is paid parking, low season means free parking.
Bar Guincho may be cheaper than the other restaurants in the neighborhood, yet it is reasonably pricey for Portuguese standards. For 2 hamburgers, 2 coke, 2 pastries, and a basket of bread with butter, we paid almost £36. The food was tasty but not as spectacular as we’ve come to expect from traditional local joints. Anyway, the place is fantastic and therefore certainly worthwhile to eat your lunch here. More information can be found on their website.
How to get to Praia do Guincho
To get to Praia do Guincho you actually need a car, public transport is almost impossible. If you come from Cascais, there is another option: in Cascais at Bicas Bike you can rent bikes for only 4 euros per day. There are not many bikes available. From Cascais you can follow the cycle path of 5.5 miles along the coastal road to get to Praia do Guincho.
Bica Bika bikes can be found opposite the station and at the tourist office. If the bikes from Bica Bikes are gone you can also rent a bike in the marina. These bikes are better because they have gears and a lock.
For Praia do Guincho you can best park to follow the signs Praia Abano. There is a large parking lot (paid in high season). From there it is a 5 minute walk to Praia do Guincho. You can try along the side of the road (N247), but often there is no place there.
