17 lovely things to do in Cascais, Portugal: a seaside town fit for royalty

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Here are a few lovely things to do in Cascais, Portugal, a charming seaside town with a beautiful lighthouse, arty/cultural vibes, flower-lined streets and loads of seafood restaurants. Cascais is one of the most popular day trips from the capital, as it’s only about 40 minutes on the train from Lisbon. But it’s a world away from the busy, bustling city. Cascais is all about a slower pace of life, where you can stroll along the beach and stop for a drink and a people-watch on a quiet tiled street.

The royal family made Cascais their official summer residence in the 1870s, so all the wealthy people soon wanted to flock to this seaside paradise too. It’s retained its affluent nature to this day, being part of what tourist boards call the ‘Portuguese Riviera’. But it’s so much less touristy and in-your-face than the French and Italian versions, which is why I love it. Not to mention that it’s home to one of the prettiest views in the whole of Portugal: a little cove where you can look out to a charming blue stripy lighthouse, turquoise sea and palm trees. 

If this all sounds up your (tiled) street, have a read of my favourite things to do in Cascais…

Things to do in Cascais, Portugal

1. Find the picture-postcard view of Santa Maria Lighthouse

The blue and white stripes of Santa Marta Lighthouse make for a great photo opportunity, framed by well-placed palm trees and crystal-clear waters. It’s best viewed from this little rocky outcrop next to the bridge (Google Maps location), where a small stone staircase leads you down to the outcrop of rocks. You can’t beat a nice Portuguese ‘mirador’ (viewpoint) and this is one of the best, IMO.

The lighthouse is unstaffed but still in working order, so if you’re in Cascais at night you may see it lighting up. And if you’re unlucky enough to get a foggy day, you might even hear it tooting its foghorn. Next to the lighthouse is the Casa de Santa Maria, a villa built in 1902 as a summer residence for the royals, and a small museum. The latter is all about Portugal’s lighthouses and their part in the country’s maritime history. 

2. Casa das Histórias Paula Rego – one of the best things to do in Cascais for art lovers

The Casa das Histórias Paula Rego is an excellent museum dedicated to the famous Portuguese artist Paula Rego. I’ve seen her work in art museums all over Europe and always seek it out. On a recent (and horrendous) trip to Istanbul, I went to see an exhibition on her ‘stories’: the work she’s done by telling stories through art in order to fight fascism, colonialism and the anti-abortion movement in Portugal. It was SO engrossing and reminded me why I’ve always been drawn to her.

Anyway, the museum houses many of Rego’s paintings and drawings, showing how she grew as an artist over 50 years and some of the very varied work she produced. There’s also a bit of stuff by her husband, who was an art critic. Even if you’ve visited the museum before, there are rotating exhibitions to see as well as permanent works. It’s a beautiful building and there’s an on-site café (museum cafés are always good, aren’t they?). Like an idiot, I got distracted and didn’t take a photo when I last visited, but it’s one of the nicest attractions in Cascais (and also really good if you’re unlucky enough to not have a sunny day).

Check opening times on the official site before you go. It’s 5€ to get in.

3. Eat at some of the many excellent restaurants (especially for seafood)

It won’t come as a surprise when I tell you that the seaside town of Cascais is a good place to eat seafood. But of course, like anywhere, there are quite a few restaurants that are overpriced/tourist-orientated. I’ve sampled my fair share of restaurants in Cascais, though, so I have my usual recommendations…

My all-time favourite seafood restaurant in Cascais that I tell everyone to go to is A Nova Estrela. Like many small, family-run restaurants in Portugal, it has no website. But here’s its Google Maps location. Going to A Nova Estrela is more than just a meal. It’s a whole experience, some of which is baffling. For no apparent reason, the owner (who is LOVELY) will take a Polaroid photo of you while you’re waiting for your food. This is then given to you at the end of your meal as a little memento. It’s a very cute idea, as long as you don’t look like an utter minger in the photo like I did. There’s also a whole wall inexplicably covered in clocks, some telling the wrong time. But the food is absolutely spot on: proper homemade, fresh Portuguese fare. Big portions of fish with lots of gorgeous veg piled up on the side. And you have to leave room for their chocolate tart at the end. Trust me.

A few other Cascais restaurants (not necessarily all seafood-based) that I like are Paulinha, Moules & Gin, House of Wonders (my favourite for plant-based food), Melody, Bougain, Suki Sushi and Manjar da Vila (Google Maps locations linked). 

4. Marvel at the magnificent Boca do Inferno

Here’s another thing I don’t have a decent photo of for the blog because both times I’ve been, it’s been grey and miserable and most un-Cascais-like. But don’t let my lack of illustration put you off. It’s way more dramatic and impressive IRL, anyway.

The natural phenomenon of Boca do Inferno (‘mouth of hell’) is an archway that the sea has carved out in a rock formation jutting out into the ocean. And the view of it with the turquoise sea behind is spectacular. Do you remember the famous Azure Window in Gozo near Malta, which was one of the most-photographed things in the travel world until it collapsed and died in 2017? Well, the Boca do Inferno is sort of like that was, but better, in my opinion. 

It’s only a 20-minute walk from the centre of Cascais. You could stop at the aforementioned Paula Rego museum en route (10 minutes away), admire the archway/have a photo shoot, and then pause for lunch at Mar do Inferno, the restaurant right next to the cliffs. You’d expect it to be really touristy and rubbish due to its location but it’s actually a great place to eat.

5. Enjoy the idyllic beaches within walking distance of the town centre

The whole Cascais area is dotted with gorgeous beaches. But it’s the ones around the centre of town that are what make it so special. A lot of beaches connected to towns are a bit disappointing, and you have to make the journey further afield to find a nice one. But this isn’t the case here. One of the best things to do in Cascais is to explore its easily reachable beaches.

Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa are both a fair size, sheltered and calm. They sort of merge into each other, only separated by a little headland, and they’re very popular. If you’re someone who likes having a day lying on the beach, these are probably your best bet as you can hire sunbeds and brollies. A little further along is Praia da Ribeira, where fishing ships used to unload. Today, it’s more of a beach to walk along – and it’s usually quite busy as it’s right in the centre of town.

I’m not a lying-on-beach person at all. I’m more about walking along the beach, looking at the sea, sitting on a rock for a bit, and then going for a drink and a people-watching session overlooking the beach. If this sounds like your kind of thing, you might like little Praia da Rainha. This used to be the private beach of Queen Amelia in the 1880s and I reckon she had good taste. It’s small but perfectly formed. You can walk down some steps cut into the cliff to get to it, and then head back up to have a drink at one of the bars/cafés that overlook it. Lovely stuff.

6. Try the local (Italian!) gelato as the sun goes down

After you’ve had your evening meal, you’ll find that Cascais has gone much quieter. Day trippers will be heading back to Lisbon and the locals coming out for a stroll. This is the perfect time for an ice cream if you have room. Or more specifically, time to try a gelato from the ever-popular Santini ice cream shop. If the green apple flavour is available, you won’t regret it. Fig is also a winner.

It may seem odd going to an Italian gelato place when you’re in Portugal. But it’s SO good, and it’s where the locals go. Everything is additive-free, artisan and delicious. They also have great sorbets if you don’t do dairy. 

You know they must be doing something right as the Santini family have been doing this since 1849. They have shops dotted around Portugal now (including Porto, Faro and Lisbon) but it all started in Estoril, just a 25-minute walk along the promenade from Cascais (which I recommend doing yourself – I’ll come to it further down this guide).

7. Stroll through the colourful streets – one of the best free things to do in Cascais

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know I’m a sucker for a tiled Portuguese street. I think some of the ones in Cascais are almost on par with the amazing ones in Faro. Wander along them, enjoying the colourful buildings and flowers spilling out of window boxes as you go.

There are a few decent shops dotted around the town, mostly little gift shops. I always pop into Be We (Google Maps location). This does fairly expensive but unusual clothes and some really nice perfumes/soaps/candles/hand creams etc. There’s also a fair amount of street art. Rua Nova da Alfarrobeira seems to have the most pieces if you want to hunt it out.

But the main thing to do is just to walk, soak up the atmosphere and get lost in the beautiful streets.

8. Browse the food and drink at Mercado da Vila

Are you even in a Portuguese town or city if you don’t go to a covered market? Cascais has a really good one: Mercado da Vila. It’s open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. And it’s a proper market, for local people to do their food shopping at, not something that was once a market but is now a trendy food hall for tourists (looking at you, Time Out Lisbon).

Visit early morning to pick up the best produce, from fruit/veg to cheese to fish to flowers. If you’re staying in a self-catering apartment, bring a big tote bag and stock up on fresh and local goodies. In fact, even if you’re not doing self-catering, you could buy just enough for a beach picnic. On Wednesdays, there’s usually a vintage/second-hand/flea market happening as well. This is always worth a rummage. 

9. Explore the Citadel and the Cidadela Art District – one of the best things to do in Cascais if you want souvenirs 

Cidadela Art District is where you’ll find a smattering of quirky little shops and art galleries, set around a central square and next to the citadel, a 15th-century fortress that used to defend the Cascais coastline. There’s very little to see in the fortress itself, but the art district around it is really nice. Its fresh, white-washed walls and tastefully placed greenery give it a different and chic vibe compared with the rest of the town, which is more quaint and colourful. There are large sculptures all around the area: look out for the giant pair of binoculars. 

The whole thing is very new and was designed by the Pestana Hotel Group, but don’t let its rather corporate background put you off. The shops and art are well worth browsing, and it’s the ideal place to pick up a unique souvenir to take home. The Lu Mourelle Art Gallery and INDIE: not a bookshop are especially good.

If you’ve got money to burn, you could even stay at the rather swanky art hotel located in the area, Pestana Cidadela Cascais. It looks gorgeous but at about 300€+ a night, it’s probably not best for the old bank balance.

12. Get the bus to Cabo da Roca, the most western point in Europe

Another coastal point that I’m recommending is Cabo da Roca, a wild, rugged and rocky headland that marks the beginning (or end?) of Europe. There’s very little there other than a lighthouse (less pretty than the one in Cascais) and a gift shop/café (which may or may not be open!). But it’s one of those places you can’t resist going to just to say you’ve been to the very edge of the continent. And the views of the Atlantic are so good. 

Getting to Cabo da Roca is a little bit more of a trek than I’d like. It’s not walkable, so you need to get the bus. The 1624 from outside the train station takes about 45/50 minutes and will drop you at Estrella do Cabo da Roca. Check the official bus service website for the timetable. As it’s a fairly long journey, this is one to do only if you’re staying a good few days in Cascais and want to do it: don’t try to cram it in if you only have a weekend.

Oh and be prepared for some serious wind at Cabo da Roca… My hair is still recovering.

13. Enjoy the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães

The Castro Guimarães Museum is set in the former home of the Countess and Count de Castro Guimaraes, a wealthy and well-connected family who went on their summer holidays to Cascais to hang out with the aforementioned Queen Amélia (the one who had the impressive private beach). I bet they threw a few wild parties in the mansion back in the day. It’s now become a museum, with room after room of fine art, beautiful ceilings and original furniture. I’m not generally that into going into museums of old houses (a lifetime of National Trust visits has worn me down) but this one I do recommend.

It’s only 3€ to get in and the building itself is worth that. From the outside, you can see its eye-catching yellow colour and quirky ‘revivalist’ style. But inside, you’ll see plenty of azulejo (the irresistible Portuguese blue-and-white tiles) and an Arabic-inspired courtyard. It was designed by Luigi Magnini, the same lad who did the famous Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra. Fun fact for you there. Check opening times on the official website before you go.

15. Parque Marechal Carmona – one of the best things to do in Cascais to escape the sun

Just outside the Castro Guimarães Museum, you’ll find the shady and tranquil Marechal Carmona Park, also known as Gandarinha Park. It’s got plenty of large trees, which are much needed on a hot day. There are well-tended flowerbeds, ponds and spots for a sit-down. And you’ll probably encounter the resident peacocks, ducks and chickens roaming about, all of whom seem very happy to pose for a photo. 

16. Try the traditional biscuits/cakes from Cascais

If you’re browsing the windows of pastry shops as you explore Cascais (we all do it!), keep an eye out for the two traditional local sweet treats.

• You’ll spot bags of little shortbread balls in most shops. These are known as Areias de Cascais, which translates as ‘sand of Cascais’, reflecting their crumbly texture. The recipe dates back to the 1800s and used to involve lard but is now more likely to be simply butter, flour and sugar. They’re a bit dry and plain for my taste, but when in Rome Cascais…
• The other local nibble is the Nozes de Cascais (nuts of Cascais). Unsurprisingly, these contain nuts, as well as egg yolks and sugar. They’re bite-sized biscuity cakes and originated in the former Convent of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, now the Cascais Cultural Centre. I prefer them to the Areias as they’re fairly moist and resemble sand less! Let me know which you like better if you try them (in the comments below).

If you want to find some Nozes and Areias, then A Bijou de Cascais is a popular pastry shop in the centre of town that always seems to have both in stock (don’t hold me to that!). 

17. Go for an easy walk along the promenade to Estoril

One of the best things to do in Cascais is to walk along the promenade to the neighbouring town of Estoril. It takes about 30 minutes each way, so is a dead simple round trip. And because it’s on a flat promenade, it’s easier going for anyone less mobile (or just tired!).

The resort town of Estoril is nice enough but the journey there is more enjoyable than the destination. You’ll follow the beautiful coastline, passing some gorgeous houses and a few cafés if you need a tea break, with lovely views of the sea and beaches all the way.

Once you get to Estoril, keep an eye out for the rather decrepit 70s casino, which inspired the James Bond novel ‘Casino Royale’. A lot less glam IRL than the film portrayed…

Things to do in Cascais, Portugal – useful information for your trip

Where to stay in Cascais

Most people only tend to do Cascais as a day trip from Lisbon. This is such a shame as it’s a lovely place to stop for a few nights. There are loads of options for hotels and apartments to choose from. Your only problem will be finding one within a reasonable budget. Cascais is the holiday destination of the royal and wealthy, remember.

Here are a few accommodation options I’d look into:

• Suites Guest House – For about 90€ a night, this is the best price I’ve managed to find without compromising on niceness. And it’s only a few steps from Rainha Beach.
• Villa Vasco de Gamma – At around 130€ a night, this one looks very stylish.
• Pergola Boutique Hotel – For about 180€ a night, this botanical beauty is really nice but a more expensive option. I’d be having a full-on photoshoot in that garden…
• Pestana Cidadela Cascais – As mentioned earlier in this guide, this swanky art hotel would be a proper treat at over 300€ a night. One for a special occasion maybe.

All prices are correct at the time of writing.

How to get to and around Cascais

Cascais is easily reached on the train from Lisbon. The train takes about 40 minutes from Cais do Sodré and it’s an enjoyable journey along the coast. Once you’re in Cascais, it’s a nice walkable size. You don’t need to worry about taxis and buses unless you’re venturing further afield to things like Cabo da Roca. Everything in the town itself is easily reached on foot.

When to go to Cascais

I always recommend doing anywhere in Portugal in the spring, early or late summer, or early autumn. I’ve experienced similar weather in Cascais in both April and October (i.e. hot!) and both are times of year when flowers are out and most restaurants/bars are open. Do avoid the height of summer, though. It’ll be very busy with tourists, much hotter, more expensive to stay in hotels/apartments and too full of children due to school holidays. 

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You might also like some of my other Portugal travel guides:

• 23 of the best towns and cities to visit in Portugal: a giant guide 
• 3 days in Porto: the perfect itinerary
• 10 beautiful day trips from Porto by train/bus
• 3 days in Lisbon: a perfect itinerary
• 40 lovely things to do in Tavira, Algarve
• The best restaurants and cafés in Tavira, Algarve
• 25 things to do in Faro, the capital of the Algarve
• A guide to Fuseta, a cute Algarvian fishing village
• A guide to Mértola, Portugal: a hidden hilltop gem
• 10 things to do in Guimarães: a guide to the birthplace of Portugal
• 45 things to do in Funchal, Madeira
• The best restaurants in Madeira and Funchal
• The best bars in Madeira and Funchal
• A guide to spending a week in Madeira: a 7-day itinerary without a car.

If you’ve used one of my travel guides and enjoyed it, you can also buy me a drink. Cheers. 

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