Guide to Route 3710: from Costa da Caparica to Lisbon’s beaches, art and cuisine

Guide to Route 3710: from Costa da Caparica to Lisbon’s beaches, art and cuisine

Between the Costa da Caparica terminal and Areeiro, route 3710 connects Atlantic beaches, traditional markets, historic heritage, riverside areas and some of Lisbon’s main cultural and commercial hubs.

The route begins near the center of Costa da Caparica and follows the IC20, passing through areas of Almada such as Funchalinho, Monte de Caparica and Pragal before crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge. In Lisbon, the route enters through Alcântara and travels along Avenida de Ceuta, Campolide, Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian, Avenida de Berna and the Campo Pequeno corridor before reaching Areeiro.

It is a route with marked changes in atmosphere: it starts at a relaxed seafront, crosses residential and university areas of Almada, approaches the Tagus in Alcântara and ends in central Lisbon, a lively area filled with shops, culture and restaurants.

Notice: the distances shown are approximate and estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the locations of the stops. The route has 62 departures toward Areeiro from Costa da Caparica on weekdays, 59 on Saturdays and 58 on Sundays and public holidays; in the opposite direction, there are 59 departures on weekdays and 66 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The fare and operator were not provided in the available data.

Municipal Market of Costa de Caparica

The Municipal Market of Costa de Caparica is a good first stop for anyone who wants to experience the town’s commercial routine before heading to the beach. Located in Praça da Liberdade, it brings together stalls and services related to daily shopping, with an emphasis on fishmongers, butchers, delicatessens, fruit and vegetable sellers, florists and dining establishments.

The space serves as a gateway to the more local side of Costa, less dependent on beach bars and seasonal activity. It is a practical choice for buying fresh products, having a simple meal or observing the daily life of residents and shopkeepers.

• 📍 Location: Praça da Liberdade, Costa de Caparica, Almada.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Costa da Caparica (Torre das Argolas) TER P5, approximately 0.3 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Municipal market, food retail and dining.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings fresh products and traditional services together in the center of Costa da Caparica.

Beaches of Costa da Caparica

The route 3710 terminal is a short walk from the urban beach frontage of Costa da Caparica, one of the most popular leisure areas on the south bank. Visitors will find a long sandy shore, supporting bars and restaurants, walking areas and favorable conditions for surfing, bodyboarding and other water sports.

The central beaches tend to have a livelier atmosphere, while the stretches to the north and south offer different experiences, with quieter areas, dune zones and spots known for their sunsets. For those arriving by bus, the best option is to get off at the terminal and walk toward the seawall and coastline.

• 📍 Location: Urban waterfront and beaches of Costa da Caparica, Almada.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Costa da Caparica (Torre das Argolas) TER P5, approximately 0.5 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Beach, outdoor leisure, dining and board sports.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: An extensive Atlantic coastline with different atmospheres, supporting bars and opportunities to enjoy the coast year-round.

Capuchos Convent

In Caparica, Capuchos Convent combines religious heritage, gardens and one of the most interesting views over the Almada coast. Built in the 16th century, the former Franciscan convent preserves an atmosphere of seclusion and is set in an area marked by the landscape of the Costa da Caparica Fossil Cliff.

The viewpoint is one of its main attractions: on clear days, it offers views of the Atlantic waterfront, the Lisbon coast, Estoril and Cascais. The site also hosts cultural activities, including concerts and arts-related events. The walk from the Funchalinho stop requires attention to the route and may include sections with an incline.

• 📍 Location: Rua Lourenço Pires de Távora, Caparica, Almada.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Funchalinho (Nó), between 0.8 and 1.2 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic heritage, gardens, viewpoint and cultural programming.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings together 16th-century architecture, a peaceful setting and panoramic views over the Atlantic and the Lisbon region.

Santo Amaro Docks

After crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge, the Alcântara-Terra stop is one of the best gateways to the riverside area of Santo Amaro Docks. Former port warehouses have been transformed into restaurants, bars and social spaces beside the marina, creating one of Lisbon’s most popular settings for an end-of-afternoon stroll.

The area is ideal for unhurried activities: walking beside the Tagus, watching the boats, choosing a terrace or extending the evening with food and drinks. It becomes livelier after dark, but also works well during the day for those looking for a break with a view of the water.

• 📍 Location: Santo Amaro Dock, Alcântara, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Alcântara-Terra (Station), between 0.8 and 1 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Dining, bars, marina and riverside promenade.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Combines port heritage, terraces and open views of the Tagus beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge.

Campo Pequeno

The stops on Avenida de Berna and Avenida João XXI place route 3710 practically at the door of Campo Pequeno. The complex includes a shopping center, cinema, supermarket, shops, restaurants and an events venue located in Lisbon’s well-known bullring.

It is one of the most versatile points along the route for taking care of several activities at a single stop: shopping, having lunch or dinner, watching a film and checking the events schedule. The dining options include Portuguese and international choices, with quick alternatives and restaurants for more leisurely meals.

• 📍 Location: Campo Pequeno, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Lisbon (Campo Pequeno) Avenida João XXI and stops on Avenida de Berna, between 0.1 and 0.3 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Shopping center, cinema, dining and events.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Brings approximately 80 shops, cinemas, restaurants and a supermarket together in one complex.

Palácio Galveias Library

A few minutes’ walk from Campo Pequeno, Palácio Galveias Library offers a complete change of pace. The facility occupies a 17th-century palace associated with the former Távora and Galveias families and combines reading rooms, cultural programming, exhibitions and study areas.

The garden and café kiosk make the space especially pleasant for a break away from the traffic of Avenida de Berna. It is an interesting option for those who prefer a quieter cultural activity, with outdoor reading, literacy activities, talks, cinema and events for different audiences.

• 📍 Location: Campo Pequeno, 1049-064 Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Lisbon (Campo Pequeno) Avenida de Berna 6, approximately 0.2 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Library, historic heritage, garden and cultural programming.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Combines a historic palace, study rooms overlooking the garden and a regular cultural program.

Gulbenkian Garden

The Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian section brings route 3710 close to one of Lisbon’s most important cultural and landscaped complexes. Gulbenkian Garden surrounds the Foundation’s buildings and offers paths among trees, a lake, resting areas and birdwatching opportunities, serving as a green refuge amid the Avenidas Novas.

The visit can be combined with a tour of the Foundation’s cultural facilities, which include the Gulbenkian Museum, the Center for Modern Art, temporary exhibitions, concerts and educational activities. Even when the intention is simply to relax, the garden deserves time of its own for its landscape design and its feeling of isolation from the traffic of the avenues.

• 📍 Location: Avenida de Berna, 45A, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Avenida Calouste Gulbenkian (access via Avenida José Malhoa), between 0.5 and 0.7 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Park, garden, museums, exhibitions and music.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A large green space associated with one of the city’s main centers of art and culture.

Culturgest

As it approaches Areeiro, the route also provides convenient access to Culturgest, a cultural center located at the headquarters of Caixa Geral de Depósitos. Its program includes theater, dance, music, cinema, visual arts, conferences, discussions, performances and workshops, alternating Portuguese artists with international names.

It is an especially interesting stop for those seeking entertainment outside the most obvious tourist circuit. Before visiting, it is worth checking the current schedule, since the experience may range from a quiet exhibition to a dance performance, concert or film screening.

• 📍 Location: Rua Arco do Cego, Lisbon.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Lisbon (Areeiro) Avenida João XXI 54, between 0.5 and 0.7 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Theater, dance, music, cinema, visual arts and discussions.
• ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Multidisciplinary contemporary programming in a leading cultural venue beside the Areeiro corridor.

With frequent departures in both directions, route 3710 makes it possible to create very different itineraries without changing buses: a morning at the market and beach in Costa da Caparica, a historic outing in Caparica, late afternoon at the Docks or an evening of cinema, dinner and a show between Campo Pequeno and Areeiro. The key is to choose the stop closest to the destination and allow extra time for walking sections, since the locations were selected based on their estimated proximity to the route.

Sources

• Almada City Council — Municipal Markets
• Almada City Council — Beaches
• Almada City Council — Capuchos Convent
• Visit Lisboa — Alcântara and Docks
• Campo Pequeno — The Center
• Lisbon City Council — Palácio Galveias Library
• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation — Garden
• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation — Museum
• Culturgest — Program and information