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LisbonLisboaPortugal.com
The best independent guide to Lisbon
Praia da Conceição & Praia da Duquesa beaches, Cascais
The Praia da Conceição and Praia de Duquesa are a pair of semi-connected beaches, which form the largest beach within the Cascais/Estoril region.
Both beaches offer glorious golden sands, clean waters and an extensive range of amenities (bars, restaurants, shops) along with numerous sea-based activities. The Duquesa and Conceição beaches are one of the most popular beaches of the Lisbon coastline and are a fantastic destination for your day on the beach!
Looking down the Praia da Duquesa (closest) and Praia da Conceição (further), with the Casa Faial (the grey building) dividing the beaches
The Praia da Duquesa and Praia da Conceição are lively beaches, which attract an equal mix of Portuguese and foreign tourists. The beaches have a range of visitors, with safe waters for families, and trendy beach bars for fun-loving tourist.
The sea waters of Duquesa and Conceição are some of the calmest (no currents or waves) of the Lisbon coastline, perfect for children to swim or to hire a SUP board and paddle around the bay.
The Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa will be busy in the summer, but they are the best beaches within walking distance of Cascais.
Related articles: Cascais guide - Cascais beach guide - Lisbon beach guide
There are lots of sea based activities on offer at the Praia da Duquesa
Conceição and Duquesa beach tourist information
The Duquesa and Conceição should really be considered as the same beach, as only a minor headland separates them. This stretch of sand is the largest of the Cascais region, with a shoreline of 290m.
The Cascais headland shelters the beach from any meaningful waves, and is much calmer here than the beach to the east, such as Carcavelos. The waters are very clean and regularly monitored. During the summer, the beach is supervised by lifeguards.
The Praia da Duquesa on a busy summers day
This beach is great for children of all ages, and if you are travelling as a family, this is probably the best beach to head to. In the summer, a large sea inflatable is positioned out in the sea, and children can swim to and clamber over. The seawaters are surprisingly cold as they are fed by the Atlantic Ocean, and only reach 21C at the height of summer.
There are reserved sections of the beach where parasols and sun loungers can be hired for €15 per day per person. These are expensive but provide more space in the summer.
The 5-Star Hotel Albatroz stands above the Praia da Conceição
Duquesa and Conceição attract a young range of visitor due to the many beach bars along the beach promenade. There is the “Bar da Praia” on the Conceição beach, for decent food and drinks. The Praia da Duquesa has more food options with Capricciosa (pizza), or John Davids (English), Salamandra and Duche or Artisani for ice cream. While at Conceição and Duquesa, you won't run out of places to eat or drink!
If you wish to SUP (stand-up paddleboard) around the harbour, boards can be hired for €15.00 per hour from Surf n Paddle: www.surfnpaddle.com
The Cascais Paredão
Extending behind both beaches is the Cascais Paredão, a boardwalk that connects Cascais to Estoril. This very enjoyable coastal walk of 2.7km ends at the Praia da Azarujinha in Estoril, and is a great activity if you tire of the beaches.
The Cascais Paredão as it passes the Forte da Cruz in Estroil
The History of the Conceição and Duquesa beaches
The Conceição and Duquesa have been popular with Portuguese nobility since 1872 when King Luís I began spending his summers in Cascais.
The Praia de Duquesa beach is named after the Duchess of Palmela, who was fond of the beach which lay in front of her home, the Palacio do Duque de Palmela. The Palacio do Duque de Palmela was constructed in 1868 as a summer home for the Duke of Palmela.
The Palácio Palmela overlooks the ocean swimming pool (the Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano)
The Praia de Conceição is named after the small chapel (the Nossa Senhora da Conceição) which lies next to the beach and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The official divide between the Praia de Duquesa and the Praia de Conceição is the Faial Chalet the former Court of Justice for Cascais province.
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