Costa Caparica coastline : just opposite Lisbon, on the other side of the famous 25 de Abril bridge which dominates the Tejo river, stands Costa da Caparica : the town and coastline (same name). This “Costa da Caparica” coastline stretches for 26km: from the town of Costa da Caparica to the Arriba Fossil natural reserve. A coast that offers an ideal location : close to the beaches and close to Lisbon. This is the coast I’ll talk about today.

Why live in the Costa da Caparica?

> Costa da Caparica : The beaches  

Contrary to what many people think, there are no beaches in Lisbon. The nearest beaches are on the other side of the 25 de Abril Bridge, on the Costa da Caparica. It is its proximity to Lisbon that makes the Costa da Caparica a privileged area for those who wish to enjoy the advantages of the Portuguese capital while benefiting from the beaches and nature.

The majority of the beaches on the Costa da Caparica are spacious and wild. Most of them offer facilities for eating-drinking and activities such as surfing, kitesurfing and paragliding. The further down the Costa da Caparica you go, the wilder and less touristy the beaches become. 

> Costa da Caparica : Choice of properties

Another reason to move to the Costa da Caparica is in terms of property choice, the capital itself will offer you mainly flats in blocks, often without lifts, with little outside space and little parking. This is not a general rule, but the majority of properties in Lisbon are like this.

So, if you are looking for outdoor space, a garden, a house, a car park, or you want to live in a residence with a swimming pool for example, it will be much easier to find such properties outside the city of Lisbon. The Costa da Caparica offers a wide choice and is perhaps an option not to be overlooked. You will find traditional houses, modern houses, flats, private residences (called in Portugal “condominium fechado »)… In short, you have choice and more space. 

> More affordable property prices

Another important point is that, as you might expect, property prices, whether to rent or buy, are lower on the Costa da Caparica than in the Portuguese capital. It is necessary to count approximately 2600€/m2 on the Costa da Caparica against 4600€/m2 in Lisbon (idealista data – Dec 2020).

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to discover the new Villa Feria “9Eco” project. 6 new houses on the Costa da Caparica, 2km from the beaches at a price of 249 900€. More information on this page dedicated to the Villa Feria 9Eco project. 

Must-sees on the Costa da Caparica

> Praia da Saude

This is one of the first beaches on the Costa da Caparica when you come from Lisbon and it is one of the most popular. What I love about this beach are the typical small wooden fishermen’s houses that stand on the sand. Some of them have been renovated and you can rent them for your holidays.

> Fonte da Telha

Still going along the Costa da Caparica you will find the beach of Fonte da Telha in Aroeira. An old traditional fishing village, many fishermen still practice the Xávega, a traditional fishing method consisting of a long rope with floats, having in its half length a conical net called “xalavar”. In the past, the net was pulled by oxen, nowadays two tractors replace them. The xalavar is placed in the sea, far from the coast, by a boat, which unwinds half of the rope, one end of which is attached to one of the two tractors. The fishermen surround the schools of fish in the open sea and return to the beach, unwinding the other half of the rope so that its end is rolled to the second tractor.  

A spectacle not to be missed ! And you will probably not be the only one to watch this spectacle, as there are always many seagulls watching the return of the fish.

> Lagoa de Albufeira

After Fonte da Telha, you will arrive at the beautiful lagoon of Lagoa de Albufeira in the heart of the magnificent protected reserve “Arriba Fossil“. When you arrive you have the impression of being in a desert with its long sandy beach and dunes.

When the ocean rises, it flows into the arms, forming two deep lagoons dug into the sand. Lagoa de Albufeira offers a beautiful natural setting, with no tourist infrastructure, surrounded by pine forests that allow you to enjoy quiet paths. An ideal place both for those who want waves with the ocean but also for children with calm waters in the lagoons.

> Arriba fóssil da Caparica 

Often confused with the Serra da Arrábida, a natural park overlooking the Setúbal Peninsula, the Arriba fossil da Caparica is a protected nature reserve made up of a succession of steep cliffs with golden hues. Over millions of years, erosion has sculpted the rock and you can still see the different levels of the ocean that existed at the time, when it still reached the cliffs. Over time, with the movement of the tectonic plates, the ocean receded. It is a beautiful place and ideal for beautiful walks.

> Praia do Meco

Praia do Meco is the southernmost beach of the Costa da Caparica and is located just before the famous Cabo Espichel that I love so much. Praia do Meco is a beautiful beach surrounded by dunes and neighbouring the beautiful Arriba Fóssil da Caparica reserve that I mentioned just before.

You will find fishermen very active in the area and also many paragliders. Having tried the experience, I can tell you that it is an exceptional spot for paragliding with a breathtaking view of the cliffs of the nature reserve. Praia do Meco is also known for being the first “official” nudist beach in Portugal. 

> Cristo Rei

Yes, I know the Cristo Rei is not part of the Costa da Caparica, but it’s a must-see just a stone’s throw from the Costa da Caparica so I cheated and allowed myself to talk about it here. I hope you won’t mind ?

Located in Almada, the first town on the other side of the bridge when you come from Lisbon and before you get to the Costa da Caparica you can’t miss the huge statue that stands in front of you: the Cristo Rei. From the top of this monument, you can admire Lisbon and take lots of nice pictures of the famous 25 de Abril bridge.

Do you know the history of this symbol of Lisbon ? In 1934 the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He discovered the famous Christ the Redeemer in Corcovado and wanted to build a similar one in Lisbon… Quite a project! In 1940, the Portuguese bishops decided to launch this project on the sole condition that Portugal be spared from the Second World War. Bingo! As Portugal did not enter the war, the fundraising began and construction started in 1949 and was inaugurated 10 years later, on 17 May 1959, the day of Pentecost. The Cristo Rei is 110 metres high with the base and has its arms open, facing Lisbon.

Conclusion

As you have seen, the Costa da Caparica has many assets and a simple article is not enough to list them. It is by living there that you will discover many places that will dazzle you.  

Finally, I have only mentioned a few things in the article, but don’t forget to enjoy the incredible sunsets that the Costa da Caparica offers at the end of the day. An incredible show whatever the season.

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