Guincho Beach
Encyclopedia
Praia do Guincho is a popular Atlantic beach located on Portugal's Estoril
coast, 5 km from the town of Cascais
, and is located in the municipality of Cascais, more precisely in the parishes of Cascais and Alcabideche
, in the District of Lisbon
. Guincho is nearby small villages like Areia, Charneca, Figueira do Guincho and historical Biscaia.
The beach has preferred surfing conditions and is popular for surfing
, windsurfing
, and kitesurfing
. Strong northern winds are predominant during summer time (June–August) as well as smaller north-west swells, making this beach ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. During winter (especially December), the predominant winds are from the east, and swells increase in size, making it a perfect spot for surfing, with multiple beach-breaks providing powerful lefts and rights. There are also several surfcamps and surfschools in the area that provide accommodation and services including rentals, repairs and surfing classes.
There is camping available at nearby Orbitur Point, approximately 1 km from the beach.
This beach was famously featured in the pre-titles sequence of the James Bond film
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
, wherein James Bond rescues Contessa Teresa de Vicenzo
from a suicide attempt and foils off two attackers in the surf; the beach still looks as it did in 1969
. More recently, the beach served as location for the shooting of This Side of Resurrection
.
In the 90's, Guincho was one of the locations for the windsurfing world cup. Today, several sporting events are held at Guincho regularly, including the Portuguese National Surfing and BodyBoarding Championships.
Estoril
Estoril is a seaside resort and civil parish of the Portuguese municipality of Cascais, Lisboa District. The Estoril coast is close to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It starts in Carcavelos, 15 kilometres from Lisbon, and stretches as far as Guincho, often known as Costa de Estoril-Sintra or...
coast, 5 km from the town of Cascais
Cascais
Cascais is a coastal town in Cascais Municipality in Portugal, 30 kilometres west of Lisbon, with about 35,000 residents. It is a cosmopolitan suburb of the Portuguese capital and one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village gained fame as a resort for Portugal's royal...
, and is located in the municipality of Cascais, more precisely in the parishes of Cascais and Alcabideche
Alcabideche
Alcabideche is a parish located in the Portuguese municipality of Cascais. It has a population of 31,801 and an area of 39,76 km².-External links:*...
, in the District of Lisbon
Lisboa (district)
Lisbon District is a district located in the South Central Portugal, the district capital is the city of Lisbon, also the national capital.-Municipalities:The district is composed of 16 municipalities:* Alenquer Municipality* Amadora Municipality...
. Guincho is nearby small villages like Areia, Charneca, Figueira do Guincho and historical Biscaia.
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
, windsurfing
Windsurfing
Windsurfing or sailboarding is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually two to four metres long, powered by the orthogonal effect of the wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and comprises a...
, and kitesurfing
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding is an adventure surface water sport that has been described as combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport. Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a...
. Strong northern winds are predominant during summer time (June–August) as well as smaller north-west swells, making this beach ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. During winter (especially December), the predominant winds are from the east, and swells increase in size, making it a perfect spot for surfing, with multiple beach-breaks providing powerful lefts and rights. There are also several surfcamps and surfschools in the area that provide accommodation and services including rentals, repairs and surfing classes.
There is camping available at nearby Orbitur Point, approximately 1 km from the beach.
This beach was famously featured in the pre-titles sequence of the James Bond film
James Bond (film series)
The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the sixth spy film in the James Bond series, based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. Following the decision of Sean Connery to retire from the role after You Only Live Twice, Eon Productions selected an unknown actor and model, George Lazenby...
, wherein James Bond rescues Contessa Teresa de Vicenzo
Tracy Bond
Teresa "Tracy" Bond is a fictional character and the main Bond girl in the James Bond film and novel On Her Majesty's Secret Service...
from a suicide attempt and foils off two attackers in the surf; the beach still looks as it did in 1969
1969 in film
The year 1969 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Last year for prize giving at the Venice Film Festival until it is revived in 1980...
. More recently, the beach served as location for the shooting of This Side of Resurrection
This Side of Resurrection
This Side of Resurrection is a Portuguese independent drama film written and directed by Joaquim Sapinho. Was produced at the independent production company Rosa Filmes.- Release :...
.
In the 90's, Guincho was one of the locations for the windsurfing world cup. Today, several sporting events are held at Guincho regularly, including the Portuguese National Surfing and BodyBoarding Championships.