Costa de Caparica Hotels in Lisbon, Portugal

With 30 kilometres of golden-white sand, Costa da Caparica is Europe’s largest beach, lined with cafés and bars. The backdrop to the beach is an impressive cliff, topped by the charming 16th-century monastery, Convento dos Capuchos. A lively music festival is held here every summer. Lisbon, on the southern bank of the River Tagus, is around half an hour (15-20 kilometres) away.