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The Rhythm of Caparica
Photography by Claudine Boeglin
Caparica. Portugal. Sunday, November 2, 2025.
A trio of surfers is poised to hit the waves. A juggler tosses his balls even higher as they pass by. The lady roasting chestnuts appears and disappears behind a cloud of smoke. And at the restaurant O Barbas, a classic since 1979, the staff photographer snaps consenting customers with a giant Canon Mark VII and a flash filter to tone down shiny skin.
Caparica is a town located in the municipality of Almada on the Setúbal Peninsula, part of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The city is built around its endless sandy Atlantic coastline, and surf culture has been part of its DNA since the early 1970s, when local kids formed groups to share boards and ocean time.
The Caparica Surfing Club (CSC) was founded on March 13, 1980, giving the city a spin that never stopped. By 2023, the attraction had accelerated, resulting in a shortage of accommodations. That year, over 200 new local-accommodation (AL) licenses were granted to private owners wishing to rent out their properties short-term, according to The Portugal News.
As in Brooklyn, Caparica has experienced steady urban expansion, with its population now exceeding 20,000 residents, many of whom commute to Lisbon via the 25 de Abril Bridge. There’s a definitely a beat here that feels like a fusion of Coney Island meets Miami, but just as Comporta has little to do with the Hamptons, Caparica is its own joyful breed of 110 percent Portuguese vernacular.
Photography Claudine Boeglin @dandyvagabond
Photography and text Claudine Boeglin
