Are you looking for breathtaking scenery in Portugal? Head for Praia do Magoito, one of the country’s most impressive beaches. Located on the west coast in the protected area of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, the site captivated us with its high black cliffs contrasting with the soft white sand and the azure power of the ocean.
Here are our useful tips for planning your visit to Praia do Magoito beach in the Sintra-Cascais region.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Praia do Magoito beach worth it?
Absolutely! Praia do Magoito is magnificent. We fell in love with this wild beach shaped by the Atlantic. You’ll be impressed by the tall, dark cliffs bordering a long tongue of white sand and an astonishing fossil dune (of solidified sand). From the heights, the view is also exceptional. A treat for landscape lovers and photo enthusiasts alike!
In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the Sintra-Cascais region, and even one of the most beautiful landscapes in Portugal! The site is therefore very popular. We recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds and parking spaces.
Type of beach
Sand or no sand?
The beach floor is made of fine golden sand. There are a few black rocks licked by the waves.
We loved walking along the cliffs.
Swimming conditions and supervision
The sea has all the vigor of the Atlantic Ocean and is churned by strong waves. If it’s not ideal for swimming, it is for surfing or bodyboarding! The site will also appeal to photo enthusiasts, as the landscape lends itself to being immortalized!
The beach is unsupervised.
Installations
There are amenities in the parking lot at the top of the beach.
Praia do Magoito in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park: how to get there
Where to find the beach
- Near the town of Magoito.
- 20min drive from Sintra.
- 45min drive from Cascais.
- 1 hour’s drive from Lisbon.
Access by car and parking
Praia do Magoito is accessible by car and has a parking lot on the hillside. Beware: at weekends in summer, the site attracts a lot of people and places are harder to find! We advise you to come early.
Access from the parking lot
From the parking lot, a steep ramp leads down to the beach. It’s below the road and close to amenities.
Public transport access
The beach is isolated and far from the public transport network. It’s best to bring your own car or a rental car.
There is a vehicle tour that will take you to Magoito beach and Cabo da Roca. If you’d rather be guided, let yourself be tempted! Book your day trip now here.
Special features
Dog
We didn’t see any signs about dog access to the beach.
Reduced mobility access
The ramp makes it possible for people with reduced mobility to access the beach. It is, however, a little steep.
With children
The beach is not ideal for a visit with children, due to the strength of the waves. But if they’re well looked after, they’ll have lots of fun on sand castles and cavalcades!
Naturism
It is not possible to practice naturism on this beach.
Eating out
Near the parking lot, we saw 2 restaurants. The view from Restaurant Esplanada Duna Mar is magnificent, and Restaurant Mugs Brunch Coffee serves brunch. You can also have lunch at one of our good addresses in Sintra, which is not far away (article to come).
Hotels
You’re in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which is full of beautiful hotels! Here are some of our suggestions:
- Stay in the seaside mood. Just a 10-minute drive away, on the wide Praia Grande beach, try out the Hotel Arribas Sintra! We swam in its pool, the largest saltwater bath in Europe!
- Enjoy a city and beach break at the picturesque Estoril Vintage Hotel in Cascais.
- For a more inland stay, stay at the friendly Hotel Sintra Jardim. We had a great night!
