Our most recommended things to do in Praia Grande, Portugal

Lisbon: Sintra, Azenhas do Mar and Cascais Day Trip

1. Lisbon: Sintra, Azenhas do Mar and Cascais Day Trip

Marvel at the Moorish castles and fairytales palaces of Sintra on a full-day sightseeing tour from Lisbon. Transfer by air-conditioned minivan to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and explore the picturesque streets of the bohemian village at its heart. See the ornate Sintra National Palace, along with romantic fountains, churches, chapels, and shrines. Continue to the coastal village of Azenhas do Mar to wander among buildings with tiled façades. Enjoy some beach time at Praia da Maçãs, surrounded by imposing cliffs, golden sands, and clear waters. Discover the saltwater swimming pool loved by the local inhabitants, along with fans of recreational fishing, surfing, paragliding, and kite surfing. Watch the surfers surfing the waves at Praia Grande. Close by is the biggest oceanic saltwater pool in Europe, while on the opposite side there are traces of dinosaur footprints on the cliff. Next, go the most westerly point of continental Europe at Cabo da Roca. Enjoy a fantastic view of the beaches and sea from the cliff top. En route back to Lisbon, discover the unique dunes of Guincho Beach, famous as a sanctuary for surf, windsurf, and kitesurf lovers. Visit the charming town of Cascais, a former fishing village that became a favorite royal retreat. Stroll among the elegant boutiques, restaurants, and hotels.

Sintra: 2-Hour Group Surf Lesson at Praia Grande

2. Sintra: 2-Hour Group Surf Lesson at Praia Grande

Have an expert assess your surfing level on shore to see if you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer. Set targets according to the surfer's levels and the conditions of the sea/surf. Practice some technical and specific work according to the group or surfer's level on the sand. Work on the acquisition of skills and the necessary technique to progress in different levels. Get expert instruction from high-quality coaches that know how to work according to the characteristics of the beach, the surf, and the safety rules. Experience a 2 hours Surf lesson in the amazing Sintra beaches. An Experienced Coach will manage a small group with a maximum 5 surfers, each surfer will be included in a group formed according to ages and levels, to make sure all the group evolutes in the same context. All the equipment will also be adapted to your level in order to turn the experience as easier and fun as possible. The beach and time of the lesson can also be adapted to each group, to make sure you can take the best profit of each lesson in a safe un fun experience. If we need to move to a different beach we will take in our van with no extra cost. We are locals from Sintra beaches Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs, but we are also licenced to Carcavelos and Costa da Caparica. This way we can always have good conditions to all surfers.

Aulas de Surf/Surf Lesson - Lisboa

3. Aulas de Surf/Surf Lesson - Lisboa

Surf lessons are taught along the Cascais line of beaches (Torre, Carcavelos, Guincho and Praia Grande), meeting the best conditions and in accordance with the level of each student. All lessons are accompanied by teachers accredited by the Portuguese Surfing Federation and have a duration of 2 hours consisting of a theoretical part, general and specific warm-up, main part (surf) and stretches. Lessons include all materials (wetsuit, surfboard and leash) as well as personal accident insurance.

Sintra: E-Car Self-Guided Tour for the 4 MAJOR Monuments

4. Sintra: E-Car Self-Guided Tour for the 4 MAJOR Monuments

All day in Sintra. First, to the top of the mountain, so you can see: Pena Palace (includes the Gardens, Chalet Condessa D'Ela and Valley of the Lakes). The fantastic Palácio da Pena is one of the best examples of 19th-century Romantic revivalism in Portugal. The interior of the palace is still decorated according to the tastes of the kings and queens who lived there. Moorish Castle, is a privileged viewpoint to admire the view extending from Sintra to the ocean. Afterwards, the visit goes down and passes in a small town call São Pedro. Here you can take the opportunity to enjoy a meal in a typical Portuguese food Restaurant. The next stage is the Romantic Gardens. This route takes you to the mystic Quinta da Regaleira (known for the Inverted Well). Quinta da Regaleira is one of the most enigmatic places in Sintra. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the Palace of Regaleira is a fascinating discovery. The Palace was built in a romantic revivalist style, recovering Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance architectural and decorative forms, mixed with mythical and esoteric symbology. The last monument in this route is Palace and Park of Monserrate. The palace was designed by architects Thomas James Knowles (father and son) and built in 1858. The construction of the gardens was able to exploit the micro-climatic particularities of the Serra, thus obtaining a magnificent park in which more than 3,000 exotic species can still be observed. You can end your visit here, or head to the Coast, where you will find three wonderful beaches: Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs and Azenhas do Mar. You'll find small enclosed places and wide sands and hidden beaches. It's worth taking a look at some of them even outside the summer period, to see the incredible landscapes of the Atlantic coast. The coast has the particularity of the Mountain joining the Sea. Sintra's beaches can be truly amazing!

Sintra: 2-Hour Private Surf Lesson at Praia Grande

5. Sintra: 2-Hour Private Surf Lesson at Praia Grande

Enjoy the amazing waves at Praia Grande while learning a fun, new skill. Your expert guide will pair you with the proper surfboard depending on your needs and level and provide you with a wetsuit to ensure your comfort during the 2-hour session. The lesson is divided into 3 parts: practice, surf, and knowledge. First, go over your expectations and objectives for the lesson. Warm-up on the beach and go over some technical work with the trainer.  Next, go over the safety rules and learn the characteristics of the beach and the surf. Then, hit the water to put your new skills to practice. Lastly, your trainer will teach you how to evolve your technique as much as possible in order to get the best results in the short term. Learn to respect the sea and its surroundings in a fun and mindful way.   Conditions vary from day to day, and, in the event that conditions are not optimal at Praia Grande, you will be transported to a different surf spot.

Sintra Beach Explorer

6. Sintra Beach Explorer

Discover Sintra's Coastal Paradise: Embark on a captivating journey to explore the hidden gems of Sintra's coastline. This full-day adventure offers a unique opportunity to delve into the beauty and history of this enchanting region. With comfortable transportation, an expert guide, and breathtaking scenery, you'll experience the best of Sintra's beaches. Itinerary: - Lagoa Azul or Blue Lagoon: Your day begins at the serene Lagoa Azul. It's the perfect spot to kick-start your coastal exploration. - Cabo da Roca and Ursa Beach: At Cabo da Roca, stand at the westernmost point of mainland Europe and witness the dramatic meeting of land and sea. Take in panoramic coastal views that stretch to the horizon. - Peninha: Next, we'll visit Peninha, an area known for its lush greenery and panoramic views. Explore the natural wonders and soak in the awe-inspiring landscapes. - Praia da Adraga: Experience the rugged beauty of Praia da Adraga, a picturesque beach nestled between imposing cliffs. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the shore and capture stunning photographs. - Praia Grande: Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of Praia Grande, a long sandy beach ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Relax and savor the sea breeze. - Azenhas do Mar: Conclude your journey in the charming village of Azenhas do Mar, perched on cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. Explore its quaint streets and enjoy local culture.

Sintra: Beaches & Monuments E-Car Tour with GPS Audio Guide

7. Sintra: Beaches & Monuments E-Car Tour with GPS Audio Guide

Sintra is located between the mountains and the sea.Sintra is a charming village that seems to have come out of a fairy tale.Sintra is a true treasure, with a very rich historical, natural and gastronomic heritage.This tour will take you on a fascinating journey through the village with some of the best sights to visit.A very beautiful route with plenty of nature, which allows you to discover the mystical Quinta da Regaleira, the Palácio de Seteais (now a hotel) and the park and palace of Monserrate.Then, guide you to the sea coast:Praia Grande - living up to its name, this is a wide beach, very popular with surfers and bodyboarders, where championships are held in these modalities. At the southern end of Praia Grande, you can find traces of dinosaur footprints.Praia das Maçãs - the name of this beach originated from the apples that arrived on the sand, transported by the Colares stream that flows here.During the summer, it has a large influx of vacationers and has a very spacious beach.It is also the stage for surfing and bodyboarding.Azenhas do Mar - a beach, a pool, a cliff with a village.A wonder of nature.It is one of the most beautiful pearls of the Portuguese coast.A beach with a small and sometimes non-existent sand, but very pleasant with a natural ocean pool (with sea water).At any of the beaches, if it's hot, take a dip.TOUR, with fascinating and unforgettable landscapes.

Other Sightseeing Options in Praia Grande, Portugal

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What people are saying about Praia Grande, Portugal

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 2 reviews

This was the best and perhaps only way to cover sintra in a day. We did the loop to the coast first, then came back and did loop with pena second (less crowded). My only suggestion: if you're going to eat at the recommended restaurants at the coast, make a reservation. And know exactly which sites you are stopping to see (on Google maps perhaps) because only the route is plugged into the GPS, not the places you be stopping to visit.

Jose, our tour guide, was wonderful. He was fun, knowledgeable and kind. He was talkative but not annoying. He took great care of us and provided the ins and out of the places we visited. We all had an amazing time because of him. We highly recommend his services to others looking to do this tour.

Jose was the most amazing guide! He really goes out of his way to make the experience memorable and I would highly recommend booking him to my friends. Also will definitely be booking him the next time I’m in Lisbon!

The guide was very knowledgeable and eager to share information not only about the places visited, but overall culture, history, landmarks.

Friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. Very small group. Well worth the money.