Beaches

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“Worth it and kid friendly ”

Aug 2023

Beautiful beach with lots of restaurants, bars and unique little shops.

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Top ways to experience Praia da California and nearby attractions

South of Lisbon’s Wonders – Arrábida , Wine & Tile Private Tour
2
Food & Drink
from
$280.60
per adult (price varies by group size)
Lisbon off-the-beaten-path Small Group Tour: Sesimbra, Arrabida & Wine Tasting
52
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
$78.57
per adult
Interpretive Tour: "Mysteries of Cabo Espichel"
1
Jet Boat Rentals
from
$50.51
per adult
Arrábida Secret Beaches and Caves with Snorkeling Stop
89
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$56.12
per adult
Dolphin Watching and Boat Tour in Sesimbra
153
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
On the Water
from
$56.12
per adult
Sesimbra : Guided Kayak Tour in Arrábida Natural Park & Caves
94
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Swimming
from
$39.28
per adult
Coasteering at Portinho da Arrábida
114
Recommended
99% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Climbing
from
$78.57
per adult (price varies by group size)
Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra
24
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Kayaking Tours
from
$39.28
per adult (price varies by group size)
Underwater viewing tours along the coast of Sesimbra
13
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
from
$28.06
per adult
Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves
32
Recommended
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Kayaking Tours
from
$41.53
per adult (price varies by group size)
Dolphin Watching with Biologist in Arrábida Natural Park
160
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$55.56
per adult
Coasteering in the Arrabida Natural Park (Lisbon region)
92
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Climbing
from
$72.95
per adult (price varies by group size)
Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves
9
Historical Tours
from
$39.28
per adult
Dolphin Watching at the Arrabida (Lisbon region)
34
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Jet Boat Rentals
from
$50.51
per adult
Dolphin Watching in Sesimbra
26
Recommended
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
On the Water
from
$56.12
per adult

The area

Address

Reach out directly

Best nearby

Restaurants

156 within 3 miles

Cantinho da Regina

383

0.1 mi$ • International • Mediterranean • European

Casa Mateus

2,247

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

Snack-Bar "Formiga"

234

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

Taska Santiago

451

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

Taberna Isaias

895

0.3 mi$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Healthy

O Rodinhas

1,080

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

Ristorante La Villa

381

0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean

O Batel

138

0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Contemporary

Restaurante O velho e o Mar

1,503

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

O Zagaia

458

0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

See all

Attractions

28 within 6 miles

Fortaleza de Santiago

382

0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Homenagem aos Pescadores

1

0.3 miMonuments & Statues

Pelourinho de Sesimbra

2

0.3 miMonuments & Statues

Capela da Misericordia

1

0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals

Jardim Publico de Sesimbra

4

0.4 miParks • Gardens

Capela do Espirito Santo dos Mareantes / Museu de Arte Sacra

2

0.4 miSpeciality Museums • Churches & Cathedrals

0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Igreja de Sao Tiago - Igreja Matriz de Sesimbra

2

0.4 miChurches & Cathedrals

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5

595 reviews

Excellent

272

Very good

256

Average

56

Poor

6

Terrible

5

MariaFrenkel

Amsterdam374 contributions

Sandy beach and nice bars

May 2013 • Family

This is a pleasant sandy beach with good facilities, and a boulevard with several nice bars, restaurants ans boutiques. Combine with a trip to the Castelo.

Written May 6, 2013

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chloe

Stroud157 contributions

Perfect beach

Jun 2015 • Friends

A wonderful, clean sandy beach in the perfect setting of Sesimbra. Not too crowded and within a good walking distance of the shops and quaint cafe's on the front.

The beautiful views, idyllic atmosphere and calm clear sea makes for the perfect beach setting.

Written January 15, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MuimuiToetoe

Lisbon, Portugal64 contributions

One of the wonderful beach in Portugal

Jun 2019 • Friends

If you are around Lisbon, you can rent a car and straight through the XXV April bridge you can enjoy the extraordinary town of Sesimbra.

Old fashion town on the straight on the sea with dozen of fresh fish restaurants, shops and bar.

The skyline of the ocean is absolutely stunning.

You will follow in love.

Hight recommended.

Written June 22, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wana O

Belem, PA66 contributions

Cold blue water

Apr 2019 • Couples

I went out of the season, so the beach was really great to relax and take some sun, there was just a few people there. The water is really calm with no waves but the water is really cold.

Written April 5, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andreia R

Santarem, Portugal104 contributions

It's a good looking beach but with some disadvantages

Aug 2015 • Friends

When you arrive at this beach you can see the white sand and the clear blue water, very clean. Plus there are no waves, the water is very calm, so it is good for children and people that are affraid of big waves. That's the good part about this beach. But most of the time (of course that it depends on the year) the water is so cold that I can't even go inside. Plus it is a beach that is very exposed to strong winds, so it is likely that you will catch lots of sand and your stuff my fly. So my opinion about this beach is that it is good but you can have much better in the Lisbon area.

Written July 13, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roberto A

Lisbon, Portugal63 contributions

Excellent beach for children.

Aug 2015 • Family

California?? Yes this is an ancient name for an excellent beach in Sesimbra. Guess what? California USA was named by after this beach. 30k south of Lisbon, 500 space indoor car park, shallow Atlantic waters, very safe for children and starters, slow rolling waves, many restaurants, toilet facilities, a bit crowded in August, recommended in June, July. September is ok for Surf and Skimming juniors.

Written June 3, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

stephenmaher

Kildare, Ireland146 contributions

Lovely sandy beach.

Sep 2015 • Couples

No stones thank god. Went for a swim just after sunset and the water was still warm. Could've stayed all evening. Theres a lack of bars/facilities BUT on the upside... there's lots n lots of room.

Written September 18, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LondonCamilla

London16 contributions

Great beach, pity no sunbeds.

Jun 2015 • Family

This is a lovely beach - very clean and long enough for a good stroll and, in June when I visited, not crowded at all. The weekends were busier, but still plenty of room. My only criticism, and no-one seems to have mentioned this in reviews I read of the hotels and area, is that there are no sunbeds and umbrellas to hire in June. This, apparently, is not classed as high season. So you have to buy an umbrella, which you can at several local shops for around 15 Euros, and rush mats to put towels on. This may not be ideal for people with mobility problems, say, bad knees or backs, where getting up off the floor can be hard.

I have never been to a beach resort where there are no beds for hire in June, especially in a resort that has several very good hotels. The visitors here were mainly Portuguese, which may be the reason why there wouldn't be a great demand for sunbeds, but the guests in my hotel were very international (a few Brits, Scandis, Dutch, Germans and French etc) and I think they would have appreciated sunbeds too. The sea is freezing, or 'refreshing' if you're made from tougher stuff than me!

Written June 14, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

honguito

Linz, Austria2,800 contributions

Touristy, touristy, touristy

Jul 2014 • Couples

After having read the very positive feedback of many travelers we decided to visit the beaches of Sesimbra village: DON´T!!!! It´s by far too touristy, hundreds if not thousands of people on the beach.
We walked for five minutes in either direction, and left as soon as we could.

Written August 11, 2014

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mario M

Sesimbra, Portugal71 contributions

Great beach!!!

Aug 2019 • Family

It’s my favourite beach in Sesimbra. Nice infrastructure, nice bars and restaurants. The sand is very clean. The water is also very clean and with great visibility. The only problem is the water temperature. :)

Written October 13, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Showing results 1-10 of 94

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jillobi

Braga, Portugal

13 contributions

Is there parking nearby

Written September 8, 2019

MaxOregon

Sesimbra, Portugal

89 contributions

Yes, on the street, although those spaces are usually filled in the summer, but there’s also a large parking garage at the end of the street that almost always has parking available.

Written September 8, 2019

MartaTouguio

Batalha, Portugal

32 contributions

Boa tarde Pretendo ir de férias para está zona, já arranjamos apartamento para ficar, mas cobram estacionamento a 10euros por dia do apartamento, há sítio na rua gratuito ou mais barato ao dia para estacionar? Obrigada

Written August 16, 2019

Antonio B

Salve, come si arriva alla spiaggia di sesimbra

Written August 7, 2018

Valeria M

Milan, Italy

508 contributions

Si arriva comodamente da una lieve e breve discesa

Written August 15, 2018

chrys

Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres, France

Pouvez me dire le climat a sesimbra cette année en juillet ? Je pars dans une semaine pour 15 jours a sesimbra et jai entendu dire que le temps etait pas top Merci de me renseigner

Written July 13, 2018

reesromy

Sesimbra, Portugal

37 contributions

Bonsoir, il est vrai, que depuis quatre ans que je suis sur place, le temps nous laisse un peu perplexe. Cette semaine était très nuageux. mais bonne nouvelle, la semaine prochaine, on nous promet un temps meilleur ! Bon séjour chez nous

Written July 13, 2018

Krixtina M

Quero visitar esta praia amanhã pela primeira vez. A praia tem sombras com cadeiras de praia para alugar como algumas praias que fazem por meio dia ou dia inteiro? Quanto custa aprox? Obrigada

Written July 7, 2018

Margarida D

Boa tarde eu pretendia saber se posso levar a minha cadela para a praia

Written July 6, 2018

reesromy

Sesimbra, Portugal

37 contributions

Sim!!!

Written July 14, 2018

fatima f

Amora, Portugal

25 contributions

Qual o preço médio de uma cadeira de praia para todo o dia?

Written July 4, 2018

dany209

Genoa, Italy

145 contributions

Ciao a tutti volevo sapere se qualcuno di voi ha esperienza nelle spiaggia di sesimbra con un cane piccola taglia!non so se è ammesso o meno.volevo fare una vacanza divisa tra mare e visite.grazie a tutti.

Written June 6, 2017

Ana M

Hola Dany Yo estuve el año pasado y vuelvo en septiembre, yo fuy con mi boxer a la playa a primera hora de la mañana y última hora de la tarde , si hay poca gente nadie te dice nada, todo lo contrario, los portugueses son muy amables con los perros (mucho más que en cualquier lugar de España puesto que como española he visitado todas nuestras costas y los perros no son bienvenidos en las playas) no creo que con un perro pequeño tengas ningún problema. un saludo

Written August 13, 2017