Lisbon is not Saint-Tropez, Mykonos, or Ibiza. The fully public beaches will always be popular, but sometimes we want a little more comfort—nice lounge chairs in the sun, food and drink service, a good restaurant, DJs, and sunset vibes. From a fully urban pool club to decidedly boho-chic beach clubs down south in Caparica and Comporta, the Lisbon region has no shortage of places to enjoy the sun in style. (Photo at top: Praia Irmão)
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
SUD Pool Lounge, Lisbon
The owners of SUD Lisboa were going for an “international hot spot” vibe when they designed their rooftop pool lounge, but the views of the April 25 bridge and Cristo Rei make it impossible to forget you’re in Lisbon. On weekends, it opens for afternoon pool parties, and even during the week, it opens in time to enjoy the summer sunset from the infinity pool. In the evening, it’s more of a rooftop bar, with DJs, signature cocktails, and a luxurious menu that makes use of meats, cheeses, and other delicacies imported from Italy. (See our full story.)
Pavilhão Poente (next to MAAT on Avenida Brasília), Lisbon | +351 211 592 700
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Casa Reîa, Costa da Caparica
As Caparica’s newest beach club, Casa Reîa has a stylish design, a beautiful clientele, and a holistic well-being program—not surprising, since it’s from the owners of the popular Yamba, which was lost in a fire some years earlier. What is surprising is the high quality and foreign accents in the food. Israeli chef Udi Barkan, who specializes in vegetables and healthful food, developed the menu, which is executed by Brazilian chef Pedro Henrique Lima. After sharable starters like zucchini baba ganoush with mint and raspberries, the main event is fish and seafood cooked on a Josper grill. (See our full story.)
Praia da Cabana do Pescador, Costa da Caparica | +351 937 346 841
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Praia Irmão, Costa da Caparica
Taking its name from the Portuguese word for “brother,” Praia Irmão was founded by three brothers who brought a “save the world” philosophy to their endeavor. That means sourcing local ingredients for the restaurant and especially fostering an inclusive sense of community. They say they’re striving, with their bohemian beach cushions and day beds and a profusion of lanterns, pillows, and feathery plumes—and objects collected in Iran, India, Morocco, and Turkey—in the dining area. At night, the lights come on and the music gets turned up for a dance party.
Estrada da Praia do Castelo, Costa da Caparica | +351 210 605 992
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Bar do Fundo, Colares
Although it’s not a beach club—there are no lounge chairs or umbrellas to be rented—the beachside Bar do Fundo is one of the best spots to spend a sunny afternoon around Lisbon. It’s owned by Portuguese brothers who started with a surf-shack-style sandwich bar on the same beach. Now it has some of the trimmings of fine dining but they still focus on their grandmother’s recipes—classic Portuguese dishes with a bit of a twist. While the sunny terrace is a delight on summer afternoons, the light-filled dining room is also cozy in winter. (See our full story.)
Avenida Alfredo Coelho, Colares | +351 219 282 092
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Comporta Café, Comporta
Way before Comporta became cool, there was Comporta Café. The beach bar and club opened in 2002, and ever since then, it has carried on with the same effortlessly cool vibe. It’s a relaxed, sort of come-as-you-are kind of place, where the cooking is simple—fresh local products, Portuguese recipes—and the beach is endless. Daybeds, loungers and umbrellas are there to be rented, and come sunset, DJ shows get the party going. (See our full story.)
Praia da Comporta, Comporta | +351 933 976 520
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Sublime Comporta Beach Club, Comporta
Sublime Comporta is the hotel that put “the Hamptons of Lisbon” on the international travel map. It’s a place with a subtly luxurious design and a strong integration with nature—a forest of cork oaks and umbrella pines. A few years ago it carried that aesthetic to its namesake Sublime Comporta Beach Club. The restaurant and beach bar operate almost all year, and in summer, lounge chairs and umbrellas can be rented for the day. (See our full story.)
Praia do Carvalhal, Carvalhal | +351 269 249 540
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Bar do Guincho, Guincho
Bar do Guincho is at its sexiest in summer, when the tables on the terrace are drenched in sun, but it’s also cozy in winter, with an indoor dining room that’s warmed by a fireplace and has views of the dramatic, windy ocean. The menu favors traditional Portuguese dishes like Bulhão Pato clams, codfish cakes, and seafood açorda (garlicky bread stew). The beach bar, which is open only in summer, has been an institution since 1987, and along with the terrace for drinks, it also offers chairs, umbrellas, and wind guards for rent.
Estrada do Abano, Praia do Guincho, Guincho | +351 214 871 683
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Kailua, Fonte de Telha
Among the many beach clubs in Caparica, Kailua has built its brand on “magic.” It’s a claim that’s hard to argue with, given how captivating the sunsets are. There’s an entire manifesto about caring for one another and the planet (noble!), but ultimately it’s interesting for its globetrotting menu. Starters include nachos, vegan ceviche (with mushrooms and zucchini), and arancini. For mains, there are healthful bowls, Thai rice, tuna poke, and various pizzas.
Av. Vasco da Gama, Praia Lareira, Fonte da Telha | +351 212 963 784
BEST BEACH CLUBS AND POOL LOUNGES AROUND LISBON
Praia Princesa, Costa da Caparica
One more Caparica stalwart, Praia Princesa has a variety of environments: a cozy indoor dining space with ocean views, a proper alfresco restaurant, a terrace lounge, and lounge chairs on the sand. The common thread is a wide-ranging menu that includes Portuguese classics like garlic-drenched clams and octopus salad, as well as more international dishes like white fish with Thai sauce and salmon chirashi.
Estrada das Praias, Costa da Caparica | +351 934 647 138
Visiting the Algarve? See our list of Best Beach Clubs and Pool Lounges in the Algarve.
