I wanted to visit Lisbon but also have time at the beach. So i decided to go to Costa da Caparica, which features the biggest beach close to Lisboa, which is also called the "Lisboas House Beach".

I really enjoyed my stay in the Residencial Colibri. The staff is very nice and helpful for all kind of questions. Service was excellent! Roomservice and fresh towels every day.
My room was a couple room, which was big enough for myself. Maybe for two people a little bit small. In the room was a TV, Telephone and Hairdryer- Safe costs 5 EUR. Bed was comfortable, but there was sometimes noise from the street and the elevator. The Breakfast (from 7 to 10) was simple, but good. The typcial "hotel"-ham and cheese, coffee, juice, marmelade, some cereals.

The Hotel is close to the beach. But there are a lot of ugly Skyskrapers at the coast. If you walk approx. 30 minute down the beach, it gets much more beautiful with dunes and old colorful huts. It is definately worth it!

Going to Lisbon is very simple. There are two busses, but pay attention! The faster one (the 153, takes approx. 25 minutes) is only active in the morning and evening. I think its for the business commuter. Therefore you'll find the 161 bus, which departes from Costa de Caparica every 30 Minutes and takes round about 40 minutes. The busses dont stop directly in Lisboa center, but with the Metro you will reach it via 2-3 stops. It's definately not difficult. The last 153 bus back to Caparica departes around 0.30 h.

All in one I was very happy there and for the price (I payed 39EUR the night) I got more than I expected. Would do it again!

We had spent 3 nights each in Nazare and Sao Martinho do Porto that were relatively small, pretty and not too busy so our initial impression of Costa da Caparica was that it was an unpleasant contrast. The hotel had work being done to it’s frontage so looked uninspiring and in the room the satellite TV was not working so was reported straight away. Outside, the town was very busy and very hot and the turisimo, where we wanted to obtain a map to get our bearings, was closed despite being within opening times and had a tramp sat on it’s doorstep drinking beer. In the centre there seemed to be some sort of car boot sale without the cars. Spotting a table on a shaded terrace of the Copacabana we took in an excellent salad then went for a stroll to the beach, every inch of parking space was packed and the beach, which stretches as far as the eye can see in either direction, was absolutely full of bodies and it was only Tuesday. Lots of development work is being done on the frontage and it needs it as it is very tatty so why so popular? Walking around in the packed blazing heat then struggling to find a supermarket with bottled water on the shelves we decided we had come to the hell hole of Portugal and should leave. Unfortunately, the hotel policy is that you pay for your accommodation on arrival with no refunds so to leave would have been very costly.

Back to the hotel room then and with the TV still not working I marched down to reception. The receptionist had changed but she explained they could not get the satellite system fixed today as it was a National holiday – yes folks, 10th June is Portugal Day. Suddenly it all made sense, the turisimo being shut, the tramp actually being one of the stall holders sat in the shade, the endless bodies on the beach etc. The following day normality returned.

Apologies then for the long pre-amble, I have tried not to let the initial impressions taint the review so here goes.

Hotel – kept very clean and attracts a mix of tourists and people on business. Our air conditioned room was very comfortable and quiet with the only gripe being that the bathroom was quite small having no bath but a shower with a curtain that wants to cling to you all the time you are showering.
Breakfast ok with the usual cold buffet and the only gripe being that the orange juice was the cordial type not fresh.
It is located a short walk from the centre and a slightly longer walk from the beach but everything is accessible.
Overall then it does offer value for money.

Costa da Caparica. I could not sleep one morning so took a stroll out at 6.30 am with my camera but could not find anything worthy of photographing. From the beachfront looking back the place is quite ugly but things might be changing. The wide strip between the road and the beachfront is being developed with the tatty shacks replaced with new facilities. In 2009 this place could look really appealing. The beach stretches for miles and you can either jump on a little train or go by car to different areas that get quieter the further you go.

Our Rough Guide explained that in C da C non-Portuguese tourists are in the minority and for us that was one of the main attractions. Very little English is spoken so it is great to be able to practice a little Portuguese and see a different side to coastal resorts. If that’s what you want then this is a good base to spend a few days if you have a car to explore the coast down to Sesimbra and Setubal but if you want to spend longer or do not have a car, Sesimbra may be better for you.