Across the 25 April suspension bridge from Lisbon, magnificent
sandy beaches stretch south for nearly 30 kilometres from Caparica
to Cabo Espichel.
Caparica, itself a fishing village and cluster of guest houses
and small hotels, is principally a summer resort for the people
of Lisbon. What to see. On the cliff above the beach with its brightly-coloured
sardine boats, stands an old Capuchin Monastery originally founded
in 1558. For bathers, an open-carriage railway runs for 10 km
along the beaches of the Costa da Caparica during the summer
months. Nearby. Further south and sheltered by pine forests,
Lagoa da Albufeira offers sandy beaches and a lagoon-type family
atmosphere with restaurants, a campsite and well-organised wind-surfing
school.
