At a Glance — Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

Is Macas, Lisbon, Portugal Blue Flag certified? Blue Flag Certified — FEE-accredited, audited annually for water quality, facilities, safety, and environmental education.
What does it cost to enter Macas, Lisbon, Portugal? Free No entry fee.
When is Macas, Lisbon, Portugal open? Beach season runs 1 Jun to 13 Sep. Best months: May, June, September.
Is Macas, Lisbon, Portugal safe for swimming? Lifeguards On Duty Lifeguards are stationed during beach hours. Always check safety flags before entering the water.
Does Macas, Lisbon, Portugal have facilities for disabled visitors? Accessible Accessible facilities are available for visitors with disabilities.
What facilities are at Macas, Lisbon, Portugal? Showers Parking Lifeguards Accessible Sandy Beach
What is the best time to visit Macas, Lisbon, Portugal? May, June May, June, September offer the best conditions. Avoid visiting in July, August when conditions are typically less favourable.
How far is Macas, Lisbon, Portugal from Colares? Macas, Lisbon, Portugal is approximately 3.49 km from Colares.

About Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

"Golden sand beach at the mouth of the river it is named after [‘Maçãs’ in Portuguese, meaning ‘apple’]."

The Blue Flag programme is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and is one of the world's most recognised voluntary eco-labels. Macas, Lisbon, Portugal holds current Blue Flag certification, meeting the programme's 33 annual criteria for water quality, safety, and environmental management. The beach is managed by Sintra.

On-site facilities include freshwater showers, nearby parking, a beach kiosk, trained lifeguard supervision during the season, and accessible facilities for visitors with disabilities. Entry to Macas, Lisbon, Portugal is free of charge.

But there are traces of the presence of prehistoric man and various items from the Chalcolithic (idol-plates, ceramics, silex, etc.) On the left bank of the mouth of the River Maçãs [Apples], on a high ground called Alto da Vigia, there was in times a temple dedicated to the sun and the moon. In the 16th century, André de Resende and Francisco de Holanda, among others, came into contact with the ruins of this sanctuary, as the former collects some epigraphic inscriptions and the latter idealizes the reconstruction of the old Temple of the Sun and Moon in his book "Da Fábrica que Falece à Cidade de Lisboa". The extensive sandy beach is the perfect place for beach sports, and is unsurprisingly popular with lovers of water sports, such as bodyboarding and surfing. Approximately 250 m around the beach, different shops from restaurants to cafés and bars have opened for business, as well as local handicraft shops, and the location has thus become a meeting point for Sintra's inhabitants who make the most of the terraces and excellent food, in Summer and Winter alike. Next to the beach, there is a saltwater swimming pool and a playground for the little ones, with playful recreational activities that get children interacting with each other. At both ends of the beach, there are slabs/rocks which make for stable fishing spots. Apart from the beach, one of the attractions in this area is the famous tram ride. The route starts in Estefânia, by the Sintra Museum of Modern Art, passes through Colares and ends by the seafront at Maçãs Beach.

Verify Blue Flag certificate for Macas, Lisbon, Portugal → · Official beach website →

What Visitors Say About Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

Note: The visitor experiences below are drawn from publicly available travel community discussions and visitor feedback. Beach conditions, facilities, and experiences can change over time. Always verify current conditions directly with local beach management before visiting.

What Visitors Love

Clean Sandy Shore: Visitors praise the well-maintained sandy beach at Macas. Blue Flag certification requires regular water quality testing and daily beach cleanliness checks.
Lifeguard Supervised: Macas provides trained lifeguard cover during the main beach season — a core requirement for Blue Flag certification and reassuring for families.
Accessible to All: The beach provides accessible facilities for visitors with mobility needs, making Macas one of the more inclusive Blue Flag beaches in Portugal.
Convenient Parking: Parking is available near Macas, making it easy to visit with families or anyone travelling with beach equipment.

Honest Drawbacks

Seasonal Access: Blue Flag facilities and lifeguard cover operate from 1 Jun to 13 Sep. Services may be reduced outside the main season.

Best Time to Visit Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

Macas, Lisbon, Portugal sees its best conditions in May, June, September. The beach season officially runs from 1 Jun to 13 Sep.

MonthCrowdsRatingVerdict
January Low Quiet — relaxed visit
February Low Quiet — relaxed visit
March Low Quiet — relaxed visit
April Low Quiet — relaxed visit
May Medium Medium
June Medium Medium
July High Popular — expect crowds
August High Popular — expect crowds
September Medium Medium
October Low Quiet — relaxed visit
November Low Quiet — relaxed visit
December Low Quiet — relaxed visit

How to Get to Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

Nearest Airport

Tojeira — 7.56 km away.

By Train

Sintra — 7.87 km away.

From Colares

Approximately 3.49 km from Colares.

Parking

Parking is available near Macas, Lisbon, Portugal. Check current availability on arrival.

On Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

The extensive sandy beach is the perfect place for beach sports, and is unsurprisingly popular with lovers of water sports, such as bodyboarding and surfing. Approximately 250 m around the beach, different shops from restaurants to cafés and bars have opened for business, as well as local handicraft shops, and the location has thus become a meeting point for Sintra's inhabitants who make the most of the terraces and excellent food, in Summer and Winter alike. Next to the beach, there is a saltwater swimming pool and a playground for the little ones, with playful recreational activities that get children interacting with each other. At both ends of the beach, there are slabs/rocks which make for stable fishing spots. Apart from the beach, one of the attractions in this area is the famous tram ride. The route starts in Estefânia, by the Sintra Museum of Modern Art, passes through Colares and ends by the seafront at Maçãs Beach.

As a Blue Flag certified beach, Macas, Lisbon, Portugal undergoes regular bathing water quality testing throughout the season. The FEE Blue Flag programme requires that test results are displayed at the beach and that all certified beaches meet the EU Bathing Water Directive (or equivalent national standard).

Practical Information — Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

Entry FeeFree — no entry charge.
Season1 Jun to 13 Sep
LifeguardsYes — on duty during beach hours.
ToiletsCheck on arrival.
ShowersShower facilities available.
ParkingParking available nearby.
AccessibilityAccessible facilities available. Contact beach management for details.
Beach TypeSandy beach.
FacingW-facing — W.
Coordinates38.82499743° N, -9.46991195° E
Managed bySintra
CertificationBlue Flag (FEE)

Frequently Asked Questions — Macas, Lisbon, Portugal

Yes — Macas, Lisbon, Portugal holds Blue Flag certification from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The Blue Flag programme evaluates beaches against 33 criteria each year, covering bathing water quality, environmental management, safety infrastructure, and environmental education. You can verify the certificate on the official Blue Flag website.
Yes, Macas, Lisbon, Portugal is free to enter with no admission charge.
The best time to visit Macas, Lisbon, Portugal is May, June, September, when the beach is in full season. The official beach season runs from 1 Jun to 13 Sep. Visiting during July, August is not recommended due to less favourable conditions.
The nearest airport is Tojeira, approximately 7.56 km away. The nearest train station is Sintra (7.87 km). Macas, Lisbon, Portugal is located near Colares, approximately 3.49 km away. Parking is available at or near the beach.
Macas, Lisbon, Portugal provides: shower facilities, parking, lifeguard supervision, accessible facilities for visitors with disabilities. As a Blue Flag beach, it meets all required standards for safety, hygiene, and environmental management.

Page & Location Information ✓ Schema.org Structured Data

Name Macas, Lisbon, Portugal
LocationColares, Lisbon, Portugal
Coordinates 38.82499743° N, -9.46991195° E
Managed bySintra
CertificationBlue Flag (FEE)
AuthorCarlos Mendoza, Zeach Editorial Team
Last ReviewedMarch 2026