Centro-Santa Cruz
Lisbon, Portugal: Excellent water quality
Centro-Santa Cruz is a Blue Flag beach on Portugal's coast. The award recognizes the beach's environmental standards, water quality, and visitor safety. The best time to visit is May, June, and September. Before heading out, check local safety arrangements with beach staff. The Blue Flag…
Quick Overview
Plan Your Visit to Centro-Santa Cruz
The key facts before you go
About the Beach
What is Centro-Santa Cruz?
Centro-Santa Cruz is a Blue Flag beach on Portugal's coast. The award recognizes the beach's environmental standards, water quality, and visitor safety. The best time to visit is May, June, and September.
Before heading out, check local safety arrangements with beach staff. The Blue Flag designation means the beach meets rigorous standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education, making it a reliable choice for families and travelers concerned about environmental practices.
It sits alongside certified beaches along Lisbon, part of a broader network of certified beaches throughout Portugal certified annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Visitor Feedback
What Visitors Say About Centro-Santa Cruz
What visitors appreciate
- tide|decor|extensive sand|landscape|water temperature|pleasant beach|distancing|easy access|natural beauty|crowded
- Excellent EU-rated bathing water quality
Points to consider
- Can be busy during July and August peak season
- Facilities may be reduced outside peak months
Based on aggregated public visitor feedback. Themes are synthesised from multiple sources, not individual quotes. Zeach does not reproduce individual reviews.
Sunrise, Sunset & Beach Direction
Centro-Santa Cruz faces south toward Atlantic Ocean. The best light for photography and swimming is typically in May, June, September. Direct sun hours follow that facing.
Planning
When to Go: Month by Month
| Month | Air Temp | Water Temp | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 15°C | Low |
| Feb | 13°C | 15°C | Low |
| Mar | 13°C | 15°C | Low |
| Apr | 15°C | 15°C | Low |
| May | 17°C | 17°C | Med |
| Jun | 18°C | 18°C | Med |
| Jul | 20°C | 19°C | High |
| Aug | 20°C | 20°C | High |
| Sep | 20°C | 20°C | Med |
| Oct | 18°C | 19°C | Low |
| Nov | 15°C | 18°C | Low |
| Dec | 14°C | 16°C | Low |
When is the best time to visit Centro-Santa Cruz?
The best time to visit Centro-Santa Cruz is May, June, September. Air temperatures peak around 19.8°C in summer. Peak water temperature reaches 19.2°C in July.
How crowded does Centro-Santa Cruz get?
Like most Blue Flag beaches in Portugal, Centro-Santa Cruz sees its highest visitor numbers in July and August. The beach maintains a pleasant atmosphere even in peak season.
Is Centro-Santa Cruz open year-round?
The beach itself is accessible year-round, though staffed facilities including lifeguards typically operate only during the official season (typically July–September). The Blue Flag is displayed during the certification period only.
The Water
Swimming and Beach Life at Centro-Santa Cruz
Is Centro-Santa Cruz safe to swim?
Centro-Santa Cruz is Blue Flag certified, which requires meeting strict bathing water standards set by the EU Bathing Water Directive. The latest official class is Excellent (2025).
Water quality
Excellent (2025)
Earlier seasons: 2024 Excellent, 2023 Excellent, 2022 Excellent.
Excellent is the top class under the EU Bathing Water Directive. Recent samples stayed inside the strictest limits for bacteria.
Source: European Environment Agency
What is the water temperature at Centro-Santa Cruz?
Peak water temperature at Centro-Santa Cruz reaches around 19.2°C in July, making it comfortable for swimming during the summer months. In winter (January), air temperatures average 12°C.
What is the beach like at Centro-Santa Cruz?
Centro-Santa Cruz on the Lisbon coast of Portugal. It meets all Blue Flag criteria for environmental management, water quality, safety, and facilities.
Centro-Santa Cruz sits on the Atlantic Ocean: explore all Blue Flag beaches on the Atlantic.
Transport
Getting to Centro-Santa Cruz
How do I get to Centro-Santa Cruz by car?
Centro-Santa Cruz is approximately 11.55 km from Torres Vedras. Follow local road signs to the beach. Check Google Maps or a local map for the most current directions.
What is the nearest airport to Centro-Santa Cruz?
The nearest airport is Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), approximately 44.8 km away.
Can I get to Centro-Santa Cruz by public transport?
Public transport options vary by season. Check local transport authority websites for current bus and train schedules connecting to Torres Vedras.
Is there a train to Centro-Santa Cruz?
Centro-Santa Cruz lists Torres Vedras as the nearest railway station, 12.07 km away. Check current timetables before travelling.
Map
Find Centro-Santa Cruz
Open the map or get directions to the Centro-Santa Cruz pin. Amenity names are listed here only when OpenStreetMap has a mapped feature nearby.
Map loads when you ask. Tiles stay off the first paint.
Map: OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
On the beach
Facilities at Centro-Santa Cruz
- Toilets
- No
- Showers
- No
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Parking
- Available nearby (surface parking). 210 m away
- Surface
- Sand
These details can change. Check on arrival.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Practical Details
Practical Information
| At the Beach | |
| Official Season | June – October |
|---|---|
| Beach Type | Coastal beach |
| Nearest supermarket | 280 m from the beach |
| Visiting Information | |
| GPS Coordinates | 39.1355°N, 9.3829°W |
| Water Quality | Excellent (2025) (EU Bathing Water Directive) |
| Official Website | www.playocean.net/portugal/torres-vedras/praias/praia-de-santa-cruz-santa-helena |
| Blue Flag Operator | Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Portugal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Centro-Santa Cruz FAQ
Is Centro-Santa Cruz suitable for children?
Centro-Santa Cruz has a child-friendly score of 1/10. It is Blue Flag certified in Portugal. Families should still check what is open on the day.
Is Centro-Santa Cruz free to access?
An entry fee is not listed for Centro-Santa Cruz. Check with the beach operator before you travel. It is a Blue Flag certified beach in Lisbon, Portugal, recognised for meeting international standards for water quality and environmental management.
When is the best time to visit Centro-Santa Cruz?
The best time to visit Centro-Santa Cruz is May, June, September. The peak season typically runs High season: July, August, when weather conditions and facilities are at their best.
Peak water temperature reaches around 19.2°C in July. Outside peak season, the beach is quieter but some facilities may be reduced.
What is the water quality at Centro-Santa Cruz?
Centro-Santa Cruz is Blue Flag certified, which requires meeting strict EU Bathing Water Directive standards. The latest official class is Excellent (2025).
Blue Flag certification is awarded and reviewed annually by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Beaches must pass water quality tests throughout the season to retain their status.
How do I get to Centro-Santa Cruz?
Centro-Santa Cruz is located in Lisbon, Portugal. It is approximately 11.55 km from Torres Vedras. The nearest airport is Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), 44.8 km away.
By car is the most flexible option. Check local transport authority websites for current bus and train schedules to the area.
Explore More
Nearby Blue Flag Beaches
Editorial
From the Zeach Blog
Everything you need to know about what makes a beach qualify for Blue Flag status, from water quality to environmental education.
Read moreOur editorial team's pick of the standout Blue Flag beaches in Portugal, rated for family friendliness, scenery, and facilities.
What the flag actually means, how certification works, and why a Blue Flag is a genuinely reliable signal, not just a marketing tool.
Read moreSources
- Foundation for Environmental Education: Blue Flag programme
- FEE site listing for Centro-Santa Cruz
- ABAE (Associação Bandeira Azul da Europa)
Last verified September 2026. National operator pages and FEE listings are the primary certification sources.