Guide to Route 3044: from Costa da Caparica to the beaches of Saúde, Fonte da Telha and Mata

Route 3044 connects the urban area of Costa da Caparica with the southern end of the beach, along a route that is useful for combining the market, local shops, the beach, gastronomy and nature.

Starting near Escola Básica da Costa da Caparica, the bus crosses the town center via Afonso de Albuquerque, 1.º de Maio, General Humberto Delgado and Dom Sebastião avenues. This is the most urban part of the route, characterized by local shops, restaurants, public facilities and quick access to the seafront.

From the Praia da Saúde area onward, the landscape changes. The route follows Estrada Florestal and Estrada da Fonte da Telha, passing through dune areas, campsites, beach accesses and sections of the Protected Landscape of the Costa da Caparica Fossil Cliff. The final destination, Praia da Mata, provides access to one of the great beaches on the Almada coast.

The route is especially interesting for those who want to take a day trip without depending on a car. The route has 12 departures in each direction on weekdays and has no departures on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays. The fare and operator were not provided in the available data.

Notice: the distances shown are approximate and estimated from the coordinates of the route and the reported stops. The distance actually walked may vary depending on access routes, crosswalks, dunes, parking areas and establishment entrances.

Location	Category	Nearest stop/section	Approximate distance
Mercado Municipal da Costa da Caparica	Market and gastronomy	AV 1º DE MAIO 19	About 300 m
Centro Comercial Caparica Oceano	Shopping center	AV GENERAL HUMBERTO DELGADO	About 200 to 400 m
Praia da Saúde	Beach and leisure	ESTR F TELHA (X) PRAIA SAÚDE	About 100 to 300 m
O Golfinho	Beach bar and restaurant	ESTR F TELHA (X) PRAIA SAÚDE	About 100 to 300 m
Praia da Fonte da Telha	Beach, fishing and leisure	FONTE TELHA (ESTR F TELHA 3)	About 100 to 400 m
Areias da Telha	Restaurant and bar	FONTE TELHA (ESTR F TELHA 223)	About 200 to 500 m
Mata Nacional dos Medos	Nature and hiking	Final section from Fonte da Telha	About 1.5 to 2.5 km
Praia da Mata	Beach and leisure	ESTR FONTE TELHA (X) PRAIA MATA	About 100 to 300 m

Mercado Municipal da Costa da Caparica

The Municipal Market is one of the best stops for starting a trip around Costa da Caparica. Located in Praça da Liberdade, it brings together a fishmonger, butcher, delicatessen, fruit and vegetable vendors, florist, bakery, pastry shop, seafood and food establishments, serving as a particularly direct reflection of the town's everyday life.

It is a practical choice for anyone who wants to buy fresh products before heading to the beach or simply visit a traditional shopping area. Its proximity to the center also makes it possible to combine a visit to the market with a walk through the streets of Costa da Caparica and a break for coffee or lunch.

📍 Location: Praça da Liberdade, Costa da Caparica.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: AV 1º DE MAIO 19, about 300 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Municipal market, shopping and food establishments.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It concentrates fresh-produce shops and local flavors in a central part of the town.

Centro Comercial Caparica Oceano

In the Avenida General Humberto Delgado area, Centro Comercial Caparica Oceano represents the more urban and commercial side of the route. It is a convenient stop for anyone looking for services and local shops before continuing toward the beaches.

The surrounding area also has restaurants, cafés and access points to the seafront. For this reason, the shopping center works best as part of a walk through the center of Costa da Caparica, combined with a stroll along the main avenues and the streets leading to the beach.

📍 Location: Avenida General Humberto Delgado, Costa da Caparica.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: section between AV GENERAL HUMBERTO DELGADO and AV D SEBASTIÃO, about 200 to 400 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Shopping center and services.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It is located in one of the town's busiest areas, close to shops, food establishments and beach access points.

Praia da Saúde

Praia da Saúde marks the entrance to the most beach-oriented section of route 3044 and has the advantage of having a stop specifically associated with the location. The beach is part of the group of beaches at Costa da Caparica and combines open sea, a wide stretch of sand and visitor facilities during the bathing season.

It is a good option for a short outing, a walk by the sea or a few hours on the beach without having to continue to the Praia da Mata terminus. The area also provides access to bars, beach restaurants and water activities.

📍 Location: Costa da Caparica seafront, next to Praia da Saúde.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: ESTR F TELHA (X) PRAIA SAÚDE, about 100 to 300 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Beach, leisure and water sports.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It is one of the easiest points on the route for getting off directly near the beach.

O Golfinho

Located on the seafront at Praia da Saúde, O Golfinho is a beach bar and restaurant offering relaxed meals beside the ocean. The establishment provides food service, facilities for beachgoers, parasol and sun-lounger rentals, and a surf school.

The setting combines dining, sand and outdoor activities, making it suitable both for a meal after swimming in the sea and for anyone who wants to try surfing. Its location next to Praia da Saúde makes it one of the most convenient options for those using route 3044 in the middle section.

📍 Location: Praia da Saúde, Costa da Caparica.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: ESTR F TELHA (X) PRAIA SAÚDE, about 100 to 300 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Beach bar, beach restaurant and water activities.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It combines food, beach facilities and a surf school at the same location.

Praia da Fonte da Telha

Fonte da Telha is the main point of interest in the southern section of the route. The fishing village maintains a strong connection to the sea and traditional fishing, while the beach offers a very extensive stretch of sand, an open landscape and several bars and restaurants aimed at visitors.

Route 3044 crosses the Fonte da Telha area via several stops, allowing passengers to choose among different access points. It is a suitable destination for anyone looking for a full day at the beach, a walk along the sand or a meal of fish and seafood in a place that retains a strong maritime identity.

📍 Location: Fonte da Telha, Costa da Caparica.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: FONTE TELHA (ESTR F TELHA 3), FONTE TELHA (ESTR F TELHA 223) and nearby stops, between approximately 100 and 400 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Beach, fishing village, bars and food establishments.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It combines one of the region's largest beaches with fishing traditions and a diverse selection of restaurants.

Areias da Telha

In Fonte da Telha, Areias da Telha offers an option for extending the outing with a meal or drink. The establishment serves traditional Portuguese cuisine and international options, with restaurant, bar and take-away service.

Its location on Avenida Vasco da Gama, near the final section of the route, makes it easy to combine lunch, late afternoon by the sea and a walk through the fishing area. It is a particularly interesting stop for those getting off at the stops closest to Fonte da Telha who prefer to remain in the village before returning.

📍 Location: Avenida Vasco da Gama, 999, Fonte da Telha.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: FONTE TELHA (ESTR F TELHA 223), about 200 to 500 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Restaurant, bar and take-away.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It offers traditional Portuguese cuisine and international options in an area directly connected to the Fonte da Telha beach outing.

Mata Nacional dos Medos

For those who prefer to trade sand for shade and trails, Mata Nacional dos Medos is the main natural highlight near Fonte da Telha. The botanical reserve forms part of the Protected Landscape of the Costa da Caparica Fossil Cliff and preserves a forested area with pine trees, junipers, mastic trees and other species adapted to the dune environment.

The Mata dos Medos Interpretation Center serves as the starting point for routes such as the Museum of Trees Trail, the Arts Trail and the Altinho do Mar Trail. Since access is not next to the route's roadway, it is advisable to allow extra time for walking from the final section in Fonte da Telha.

📍 Location: Mata Nacional dos Medos Botanical Reserve, near the Fonte da Telha area.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: FONTE TELHA stops, on the final section of Estrada da Fonte da Telha, approximately 1.5 to 2.5 kilometers away, depending on the access route chosen.
🏷️ Category: Nature reserve, forest park and hiking.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It makes it possible to combine a beach outing with interpretive trails and observation of the protected landscape.

Praia da Mata

Praia da Mata is the declared final destination of route 3044 and is a good choice for anyone who wants to get off practically at the bus's arrival point. The beach is broad and forms part of Costa da Caparica's group of dune beaches, usually attracting swimmers, walkers and people who enjoy water activities.

The location also offers a more remote atmosphere than the urban center of Costa da Caparica. It is suitable for spending the day, walking beside the water or simply enjoying one of the beaches in the southern section, with the advantage that passengers do not need to make a long connection from the last stop.

📍 Location: Praia da Mata, Costa da Caparica.
🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: ESTR FONTE TELHA (X) PRAIA MATA, about 100 to 300 meters away.
🏷️ Category: Beach, leisure and sea activities.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It is the southern terminus of the route and provides direct access to an extensive beach within the protected coastal landscape.

To make the most of route 3044, choose the section according to the purpose of the outing: the center of Costa da Caparica for the market and shopping, Praia da Saúde for a quick seaside trip, Fonte da Telha for gastronomy and a fishing-village atmosphere, and Praia da Mata for a day of sand and ocean. Since the service is limited to weekdays, it is advisable to confirm the return departure before starting the walk, especially at points farther from the center.

Guide to Route 3044: from Costa da Caparica to the beaches of Saúde, Fonte da Telha and Mata