Only a 40-minute drive west of Lisbon, Cascais is a sun-drenched coastal gem tucked into the Lisbon District of Portugal.
As soon as a fishing village and a favorite summer time retreat for Portuguese royalty, Cascais is now a hotspot for creatives and digital nomads looking for the seaside, the waves and the epic brunch spots.
There are such a lot of lovely cities in Portugal however Cascais is simply brimming with appeal and character. Due to their shut proximity, you possibly can mix a couple of days in Cascais with a couple of days in Lisbon, to me, and get a healthful dose of each metropolis and coastal dwelling.
With the dramatic Atlantic shoreline on one aspect and the Sintra-Cascais Pure Park on the opposite, Cascais provides itself as the proper hub for seaside life, nature, and laid-back city vibes. It’s additionally solely 35 minutes from Ericeira – one other beautiful west coast surf city you possibly can add on to your journey!
For those who’re looking out for an entire information to Cascais, Portugal, stuffed with out of doors adventures, surf spots, breathtaking viewpoints, and the perfect locations to eat and seize espresso, you’re in the precise place.
This information has been created for the traveller who loves staying lively, catching waves, discovering scenic trails, and indulging in scrumptious brunches alongside the best way.
Let’s tuck in, we could?
Easy methods to Get to Cascais, The place to Keep & When to Go to
Attending to Cascais:
Flying into Lisbon is the simplest choice, with Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) welcoming worldwide flights every day. From Lisbon, Cascais is a breezy 40-minute journey by prepare from Cais do Sodré station (with beautiful views alongside the best way), or only a 30–40-minute drive in the event you’ve rented a automobile for a Portugal street journey (round €25 Uber in any other case).
The place to Keep in Cascais:
For those who’re simply eager to spend your time exploring the city, keep within the historic city centre. That means you could be near seashores, outlets, and cafes. You may additionally select a boutique keep in Monte Estoril for a quieter vibe.
When to Go to Cascais:
The most effective time to go to Cascais is from April to October. Spring and autumn provide fewer crowds, sunshine, and nice surf situations. Summer season (June–August) brings seaside vibes, music festivals, and lengthy days, however anticipate it to be busy. Winter is quieter, with gentle climate good for hikes and exploring with out the vacationer rush.
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your system and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
Hang around on one of many city seashores
Cascais is tremendous cool in which you could be exploring the city one minute after which stress-free on the seaside the subsequent. You will have 5 beautiful seashores strolling distance from the city centre upon which you’ll be able to put your luggage down and take in among the Portuguese solar.
Seashores to take a look at:
- Praia da Conceição
- Praia da Duquesa
- Praia da Rainha
- Praia da Ribeira
- Praia da Rata
Among the finest issues to do in Cascais is spend the day on the seaside and in the event you’re feeling tremendous lively you possibly can take the coastal path and take a look at all of them!
Rent a Bike and Cycle to Guincho Seaside
An choice for the lively travellers on the market… Rent a motorbike on the town and cruise the devoted coastal bike path all the way down to Praia do Guincho. It’s the most effective issues to do in Cascais on a sunny day or at sundown!
The 9km route hugs the coast, passing scenic coves and viewpoints and provides you with a wholesome dose of salty air. When you attain Guincho, you possibly can seize a snack on the seaside bar, watch the surfers, or tuck right into a packed lunch you’ve packed in a backpack!
Most bike leases locations on the town provide hourly or day-long choices so you possibly can carve out an journey that fits you!
Surf the Legendary Waves at Guincho Seaside
Praia do Guincho is without doubt one of the most well-known surf seashores in Portugal and is an absolute must-visit in the event you’re into browsing / watching the surf. Beneath you possibly can see Guincho on a windier day, stuffed with kite surfers.
Guincho seaside will get constant swells and will there be a sundown swell, I’d extremely advocate happening throughout golden hour. The dramatic cliffs behind the seaside make for a stunning view. So throughout your keep in Cascais, ensure you pop down – it’s solely 10 minutes from city.
Day journey to Sintra-Cascais Pure Park
Sintra Nationwide Park, formally often known as Parque Pure de Sintra-Cascais, is a surprising protected space simply half-hour from Cascais.
It’s right here that lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and historic palaces collide. This UNESCO-listed area stretches from the hills of Sintra all the best way to the Atlantic coast. A day journey right here is unquestionably the most effective issues to do in Cascais.
The park covers over 14,500 hectares and is dwelling to various ecosystems, epic hikes, viewpoints throughout the coast and plenty of historical past.
The most effective issues to do right here embody:
- exploring the fairytale-like Pena Palace
- mountain climbing via the forested trails of the Serra de Sintra
- visiting the magical Quinta da Regaleira
- absorbing the views from Moorish Citadel ruins
- visiting Cabo da Roca – the westernmost level of mainland Europe
- dramatic cliffs and surf at Praia da Ursa and Guincho Seaside.
Discover the Charming Cascais Outdated City
Wandering the cobbled streets of the outdated city is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Cascais. It’s severely beautiful and really photogenic.
Seize a espresso at Euphoria Specialty Espresso or an ice cream at Santini and take a day to only soak all of it in.
Anticipate vibrant tiled homes, palm-lined plazas, boutique outlets, and a great deal of nice locations to eat in Cascais. Take a look at my Finest Brunch Spots In Cascais, Portugal in order for you an epic feed or latte.
Be sure to cease by the Cascais Market for native flavours and recent produce. Mercado Saloio, is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Forest Bathing within the Fairytale Forests of Sintra
Simply half-hour from Cascais, the forests of Sintra are pure magic.
Assume mossy timber, misty trails, and hidden ruins. For those who’re seeking to swap up the coastal dwelling or maybe theres no surf throughout your keep, this is without doubt one of the most enchanting day journeys you possibly can take from the coast.
Go for a peaceable stroll round Quinta da Regaleira or hike the forest paths of Parque da Pena. It’s the proper place to unplug, decelerate, and join with nature.
Wander Round Azenhas do Mar Village
Okay this place appears to be like beautiful however I ran out of time to go to it personally.
Azenhas do Mar is a picturesque cliffside village simply north of Cascais and options whitewashed homes perched on the cliffs, a pure ocean pool, and unbelievable sea views.
It’s postcard-perfect and effectively value a street journey to, a photograph cease at or a cease off alongside your mountain climbing route. Come at golden hour for these magical lighting vibes.
Uncover Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth)
One of the dramatic pure points of interest and most iconic viewpoints in Cascais, Boca do Inferno is a sea-carved cliff and blowhole the place the Atlantic crashes with critical pressure. It’s a brief stroll or cycle from the city centre and excellent for sundown. There’s a small café close by too, so seize a espresso and soak within the views.
Seize a lazy brunch or espresso on the town
There are such a lot of superb locations to eat in Cascais and there may be some severely good espresso knocking about too.
Strive Unity espresso roasters for among the smoothest espresso on the town, Sincere Greens for vibrant plates which can be full of recent, artistic and seasonal elements or Nicolau Cascais for pancake stacks, granola bowls, poached eggs and inexperienced smoothies.
If you’d like a full record of the perfect locations to eat brunch in Cascais try my decicated information right here.
Style-Check Your Manner Via the Finest Bakeries in Cascais
For a correct Portuguese bakery repair, head to Bijou de Cascais for conventional custard tarts (pastéis de nata) or Padaria da Vila for crusty bread and native muffins.
There’s nothing fairly like a morning espresso in Cascais with a recent mushy inside pastel de nata! I believe I had one most days haha! Thats what holidays are for, proper?
Discover the Coastal Bike Path to Estoril
For an prolonged journey that ventures out of Cascais city, why not hire a motorbike and cruise the coastal path from Cascais to Estoril.
The route is flat, scenic, and hugs the Atlantic all the best way, passing hidden coves, seaside cafés, and small seashores. Cease for a dip or a cocktail alongside the best way and make a day of it. This is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Cascais in the event you’re after one thing lively however chill.
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your system and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.
Go to the Santa Marta Lighthouse & Museum
This beautiful lighthouse sits proper by the marina and is without doubt one of the most picturesque spots on the town. Climb the tower for views over the shoreline and pop into the connected museum for a fast cultural repair. An excellent spot to mix with a stroll across the historic centre or a waterfront lunch close by.
Catch the Sundown at Cabo da Roca
Technically simply outdoors Cascais, Cabo da Roca is a jaw-dropping viewpoint the place the land fairly actually ends. It’s the westernmost level of continental Europe, and the views from the cliffs are fairly particular.
You’ll be able to drive or full a hike to get there. It’s a well-liked spot, so go early to seize an excellent perch.
Journey Ideas and FAQ’s for visiting Cascais
- Do you have to hire a automobile for Cascais? It’s value it in the event you’re planning to hit up Guincho, Cabo da Roca, or go deeper into Sintra. Parking on the town could be tight in summer time, so select lodging with free parking if attainable. For those who’re solely planning on doing in the future journey I might say simply use Ubers, it’s going to work out cheaper and fewer faffy.
- Pack layers – even in summer time, the wind off the Atlantic could be cool, particularly within the night.
- Convey your surf gear or hire domestically; most surf colleges provide reasonably priced every day leases and group classes.
- Discover early to beat the crowds at well-liked spots like Boca do Inferno or the historic centre.
I hope you possibly can really feel the magic of Cascais from this journey information. Severely, add it to your Portugal itinerary – you received’t be dissatisfied.
Have you ever been to Cascais?
What are the perfect issues to do in Cascais? Something you’d add to this Cascais bucket record?
Love as all the time and blissful adventuring…
Get lifetime entry to my countless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the perfect locations to eat, drink, loosen up and discover within the space. You merely open the Google Map in your system and all my pins are on the contact of your fingertips.