Guincho beach
Cascais, Portugal
A wide beach of dunes under the Serra de Sintra, known for strong wind, surf and kitesurfing. Swimming can be dangerous; car parks line the N247.
Praia do Guincho lies about 5 km from Cascais on the western edge of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which has protected it from heavy development. The beach is roughly 800 m long. In summer (June to August) a strong northerly wind usually blows. Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are therefore the main sports; stages of the Portuguese surfing and bodyboarding championships are held here, and in the 1990s it hosted a stop on the PWA windsurfing World Cup tour.
Swimming is only partly advisable: big waves, strong currents and quickly changing wind make it risky for inexperienced swimmers. It is ideal for watching, though; allow one to two hours. There is a bus connection from Cascais, and a cycle and footpath also follows the coast from there. In a north-westerly wind the ride out can be hard going.
- Nearest town
- Cascais, Portugal
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 38.7320, -9.4730
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Orbitur GuinchoCampsite1 km from Guincho beachTentsCaravans
- quinta 7 nomesCampsite9 km from Guincho beachWi-Fi
- Parque de Campismo INATEL da CaparicaCampsite22 km from Guincho beach
- Parque Nacional de Escotismo da Caparica (PNEC)Campsite22 km from Guincho beach
- Orbitur Costa da CaparicaCampsite22 km from Guincho beachTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Lisboa CampingCampsite23 km from Guincho beachTentsCaravansWi-Fi
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Guincho beach?
Guincho beach is in Cascais, Portugal, at GPS 38.7320, -9.4730. It is about 11 km from Sintra.
Can you camp near Guincho beach?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Orbitur Guincho, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 19 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Guincho beach?
Guincho beach is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lisbon to Sintra along the Cascais coast.
What is there to see near Guincho beach?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cabo da Roca (6 km), Boca do Inferno (6 km), Palácio da Pena (9 km) and Quinta da Regaleira (10 km).
When is the best time to visit Guincho beach?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)