Praia das Avencas

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia das Avencas is a small, scenic beach in Parede, near Cascais in the Lisbon District of Portugal, named after the “avenca” fern, a plant with a long tradition of medicinal use in Portugal.

It is set between high cliffs with layered rock strata that form a natural staircase-like landscape, and its rock platforms and sandy stretch were classified in 1998 as an Area of Biological Interest and now lie within the Avencas Marine Protected Area due to their ecological importance.

The beach is about 160 meters long, has clear Atlantic waters good for swimming and snorkeling over a rocky seabed rich in marine life, and in summer it is supervised with amenities including a lifeguard, medical post, restrooms, showers, and a bar-restaurant. Access is by car via the EN6 Marginal Road or by train to Parede station, followed by a short walk and stairs down to the sand, and the beach has earned the Blue Flag for water quality and safety.