Meco beach (praia) 40 km south of Lisbon: popular gay beach & how to get there

The beach of Meco is really wonderful, very popular by the Portuguese and the most well known internationally. Meco near Alfarim, 40 km south of Lisbon, is located in the middle of a natural park called ‘Serra da Arrabida’. This is a real ‘mecca’ for nudists & surfers!

Meco nudist beach and argil cliffs

The beach of Meco got famous in the 70s as one of the first nudist beaches.

At the beach, facing the ocean, on the left side is a high dune from where onwards start the naturist area, opposing to the right side, where the beach amenities are situated, frequented by families.

Meco nudist beach and argil cliffs 2

Meco beach

Nudist tourism

The excellent beach cost line in this area, the well persevered surrounded forest and the climate attracts tourists from all across Europe. Nudist tourism is growing vastly in the last several years in Portugal.

Protected by a high cliff, with small springs (drinking water) and excellent green mud (argil) for skin treatments, which is a common sight.

Meco Restaurant Bar do Peixe

Beach restaurant “Bar do Peixe (Fish Bar)”

Excellent bar/restaurant with a chill out area (closed Tuesdays). Traditional Portugese meals.

Meco beach restaurant Bar do Peixe

Beach restaurant ‘Bar de Peixa’ (fishbar)

Bar do Peixe’ Meco beach Facebook

Our choice for lunch: Salada Russa com gambas (Russian salad with shrimps) € 7.50, Salada Atum (Salad with tuna) € 7.50, a small bottle of white wine (vinho branco) € 3.80, agua (water) € 1.00.

Beach restaurant “Bar do Peixe’, Rua Praia do Moinho de Baixo, Meco.

Meco beach fishermen3

Fishermen with their nets

The village mainly lives from the local tourists; when the season is over, people like to visit Meco because of the good restaurants and to walk on the beach.

Meco parking 1 euro

Park your car near the beach of Meco

If you travel by car: from Lisbon, take the A2 South Highway, then towards Sesimbra and after Fernão Ferro turn right to Alfarim, and right again to the beaches (“Praias”). Meco Beach has several paid parking lots. Once agricultural fields, nowadays transformed into car parking lots during summer time, as it is much more profitable for the local families.

Public transport: from Lisbon this beach is not the best to be reached. You’ll need to catch the bus to Sesimbra from Praça da Espanha bus terminal in Lisbon and get off at Santana. Several buses run to Meco on a regular basis. Don’t forget to ask for a timetable to go back to Lisbon.

Meco February 2008 surfing Rob

Wow! My friend Rob Plews

Meco Beach: excellent for activities such as surf, parapente, fishing or windsurf. On windy days the sea can be quite rough.

Meco restaurante Tropical do Meco staff3

Very popular Restaurant/bar ”Tropical do Meco”.  , Aldeio do Meco, excellent local gastronomy & late night cocktails

Aldeio do Meco is a small rural village, about 1 km from Meco beach

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