Dog-Friendly Beaches in Costa da Caparica

The wild, alternative fishing hamlet at the very north of the coast, where the Tagus meets the Atlantic. The unconcessioned sands here are the most dog-tolerant stretch near town and have historically hosted Portuguese water-dog training. Quieter and rougher than the central beaches, with no formal lifeguarded concession over much of the sand.

The long southern run of beaches past the numbered praias toward Fonte da Telha includes wide unconcessioned stretches that are the area's best summer option for dogs. Backed by dunes and the Mata dos Medos pine reserve, the sand is open and uncrowded once you walk away from the concessioned centres. Fonte da Telha at the southern end is a relaxed beach village.

A long, popular supervised beach at the northern edge of town, backed by a campsite and pine. During the bathing season it is concessioned and supervised, so dogs are not permitted on the main lifeguarded sand from June to mid-September. Out of season it becomes an easy, broad dog-walking beach.