A pleasant wide stretch of sand with plenty of amenities and facilities for water sports. Praia das Maçãs is named after the river Rio das Maçãs (also the Rio de Colares) that empties into the sea at the southern end of the beach. Maçã means apple. On its course to the sea, the river flows through several orchards. Throughout autumn, apples come floating downstream and deposit on the beach. The small town of Praia das Maçãs has developed into a pleasant resort with plenty of restaurants, cafés, bars, craft shops and a choice of accommodation.
Sintra residents congregate here year-round for the fine seafood one finds here. The Sintra old tram terminates here during summer months which delights its passengers as it chugs along the 45-minute route through the picturesque countryside of the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais. Praia das Maçãs makes a great family destination with the addition of a large outdoor swimming pool equipped with slides, diving boards and a children's pool right on the beach along with a playground and a picnic area.
The beach at Praia das Maçãs
The current town of Praia das Maçãs date back to the 19th century.
The first three houses were built by; Father Matias del Campo, the Colares parish priest, Manuel Prego, a local from Azenhas do Mar, and the composer and painter, Alfredo Keil, who wrote the Portuguese national anthem ("A Portuguesa").
Human occupation of the area dates back to the 2nd to 3rd century AD. On the mound known as the Alto da Vigia, south of the beach at Praia das Maçãs, are remains of a Roman sanctuary, with Sun, Moon and Imperial worship associations. The site was reused during the Islamic period as a ribat in the 11th century.
During the town's heyday, it was a popular getaway for wealthy Lisboetas. Their holiday homes are still utilised here today. Other than the fine beach and calm waters found here, a draw for day-trippers are the fine fish restaurants which still exist in high concentration in Praia das Maçãs.
Sintra's vintage tramway resumed its seasonal weekend service from the centre of Sintra, close to the Museu de Arte Moderna, to Praia das Maças on the coast. This rickety old tram squeaks and judders a 11.5km (7 miles) picturesque route up and over the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, passing through Colares and Banzão along the way. Bones are shaken for about 45-50 minutes before reaching the final destination at Praia das Maçãs right behind the beach. A more rapid and comfortable option is to take the Scotturb bus, but it's not half as much fun. | Old Tram Sintra - Praia das Maças Timetable
Adult: €3.00 Single, OAP & Child: €2.00 Single, Infant: FREE
Avenue Heliodoro Salgado, Sintra, Portugal. |
38º 48' 12.0" N | 08º 37' 17.62" W
+351 219 238 789 | dtur@cm-sintra.pt | Website
Praia das Maças Old Tram (Eléctrico de Sintra)
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You are spoiled for choice with the mass of restaurants at your disposal with a diverse range of prices and quality on offer. Shopping around to find the right one to suit you is a must. Fish is the mainstay of many of these establishments, caught locally and served as fresh as possible, keep an eye out for the local sea bass – it's excellent. There are still plenty of restaurants offering different fare if fish isn't your thing. | |
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There are toilets on the beach. | |
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There are showers on the beach. | |
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There is ample parking spaces around the town, spaces closest to the beach are in highest demand. | |
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The beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season (May to mid-October). | |
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The are a couple of designated disabled parking slots close to the ramped access to the beach opposite Restaurante o Loureiro. |
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From Sintra take the Estrada Nacional 247 west through Colares 11.6km (7mi). | |
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• Scotturb bus #441 leaves from Sintra Train station to Praia das Maçãs. Scott URB Website |
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