With summer temperatures rising, visitors to Lisbon are finding it a little easier to enjoy a day on the beach. Though accessible by public transportation, planning the journey—especially for a tourist—can be daunting. Relax. Forget the bus to the train to the tram to the… With prices starting at 35 euros (about $43), your personal, gay tour guide from Lisbon Beach will pick you up at your hotel in a private car, drive you to the beach of your choice (from family-friendly to “We-are-family” friendly), and pick you up when you’re done. He can also coordinate a picnic, beach umbrellas and help you sort through the nightlife options available later.
The most popular gay beach, known as Beach 19 or Praia 19, sits on the Costa da Caparica, about a 30-minute drive out of the city center, and a world away from the bustling capital. Part of a nature reserve, the area contains an expansive, sandy beach along the ocean and more remote sand dunes sometimes used to cruise for new acquaintances. As it is a nudist beach, your suit is optional.
Should you choose to make a fashionable impression, the new men’s boutique UP! town Lisboa has you covered. Opened this Spring in the trendy Bairro Alto neighborhood, life/business partners Jacob and Bruno have turned an old bookstore into a shopping destination. With a combination of local, European and American brands such as ES Collection, Havana & Co., Ganesh and Ajaxx63, UP! town Lisboa carries sexy bathing suits and stylish casual wear for fashion-minded gentlemen.
So enjoy all the sights, culture and history of Portugal’s capital… and then enjoy a beautiful beach break from it all.
