Beach
Beach 19 (Praia da Bela Vista, Costa da Caparica)
in Lisboa, Portugal
Portugal's most famous gay beach and one of Europe's largest gay/nudist beaches, ~30 km south of the city. In summer take the little beach train to stop 19; cruisey vibe in the dunes and pine forest in the late afternoon.
Where it is
At the southern end of the Costa da Caparica, south of Lisbon across the Tagus; the name refers to stop 19 of the beach train.
What it is
A long, unspoilt sandy beach backed by dunes and sandstone cliffs, largely gay and nudist, and one of Europe's biggest gay nude beaches. There are virtually no facilities, so bring water and food. Reach it by bus to Costa da Caparica and then the summer Transpraia beach train to stop 19.
History
This secluded stretch of coast began drawing gay beachgoers in the 1980s, when nude bathing was tolerated here; it was officially designated a nudist beach in 1995. Since the 1990s Praia 19 has been known as Portugal's best-known gay beach.