The best things to see and do in Cascais (Portugal)

You already know that a trip to Lisbon, riding a Portugal, it will always be incomplete if not visit your surroundings.

Now we have had the opportunity to return to travel to lisbon, a city that always offers incentives to return.

On previous visits we were left with the desire to continue discovering its surroundings, and on this occasion we have been able to deepen our knowledge of the town of Cascais.

Curiosities of the history of Cascais

Before your visit, you should know that throughout history, the Cascais coast It was the first thing the ships saw when they entered the Tagus estuary to land in the Lisbon port.

And it was also the last image they took of Portugal at the time of leaving.

But, above all, Cascais It gained the image of a high-end residential area during the time when, starting in the 30s, it was the residence of kings.

To the point that in Cascais they agreed exiled representatives of various monarchies not only European.

Monarchs exiled in Cascais

The presence in Cascais of the King Umberto of Italy, kings of bulgaria, archdukes of Austria and Hungary and princes of Japan They turned this coastal town into a destination for the European upper class, even competing with other places like Monaco.

As you know, Cascais y Estoril They were also the places where Don Juan, father of the current king emeritus of Spain, Don Juan Carlos, resided for many years, and where the latter lived his childhood.

How to go to Cascais from Lisbon

Cascais It is located just 20 minutes from the center of Lisbon.

IF YOU WANT TO drive you can enjoy the path that borders the estuary of the Tagus River or you can opt for the other alternative route which is go on the internal highway.

The weather is similar, but the coastal road has a special charm, it is the road that Lisbon residents use for weekend excursions to Estoril, Cascais y Sintra.

If you would like to go on public transportation, you can take the train leaving the station Cais do Sodre in Lisbon and arrives at the center of the town of Cascais.

The train takes about 30 minutes, depending on the stops, and its ticket costs just over 4 euros, a round trip and a return trip, which, by the way, are purchased separately.

The train makes some interesting stops in the Belém Tower and in Estoril.

What to see and do when visiting Cascais

Nowadays Cascais It is a radiant town, with very well-kept streets and buildings, where there are plenty of mansions and five-star hotels.

Its secluded urban beach stands out, opening into a bay where small fishing boats still dock.

All with a very stately style.

The first thing we realized upon arriving is the influence of light and the sea in all its aspects.

Most of its streets are built on the classic and beautiful Portuguese cobblestones, and the facades stand out for the characteristic tile mosaics that make them reflect the sunlight even more.

It is a town that has more than 300 days of sunshine with wooded surroundings and a very mild climate that offers many tourist options.

Fortress with Pousada de Cascais

The first thing I would recommend visiting is the Cascais Pousada in the citadel.

It is an old fortress that crowns the city and has been converted into a hotel belonging to the Pousada network.

Like the Paradores in Spain, are historic buildings reconstructed by the STATUS to convert them into hotels that maintain the original charm of the construction.

Port of Cascais

Looking from the Pousada Towards the sea, we find the port, which has two well-defined parts, which you discover when you walk along the promenade.

On the one hand, the sport's zone with its pleasure boats, and on the other hand, the area of fishing port where you can see the octopus fishing pots and different gear that fishermen use.

Statue Charles I of Portugal in Cascais

Continuing along the promenade leaving from the port area, we find as we walk towards the historic center the bronze statue of Charles I of Portugal looking at the town from above.

It is a corner, with beautiful views of the bay with its boats, where you will surely be encouraged to take a souvenir photo.

Santa Marta Lighthouse in Cascais

A corner that without a doubt after your visit you will associate with the image of Cascais is Lighthouse of Santa Marta.

To reach Lisbon sailors had to pass through Cascais before entering the Tagus estuary.

This is where we find the great importance of this lighthouse for the entire area.

The lighthouse can be visited, so you can climb to the top to see a nice panoramic view of Cascais.

But for me the most important thing about this visit are the rooms that are in the lower part of the premises where they have enabled a lighthouse museum.

There we could see how the lighthouse guided the ships depending on their draft, since the entrance to the estuary has very shallow sea areas.

Depending on the size of the ship, they had to approach their access in different ways to be able to reach Lisbon and not run aground on the coasts of Cascais.

You will also be able to see lenses and objects originally used in the lighthouses, as well as all kinds of curiosities about the ports, making it a very interesting visit.

Condes Castro de Guimaraes Palace in Cascais

The one with the Counts Castro of Guimaraes It is a palace from the beginning of the 20th century, which is surrounded by English-style gardens within the Marechal Carmona park.

Architectural style building neomanueline revivalist Built in 1900, it is worth highlighting the San Sebastian Tower who presides over it.

It now houses one of the museums you can visit in Cascais and its surroundings, which is dedicated to a very artistic collection, with Indo-Portuguese style furniture, archaeological remains and a large library.

Cascais Town Hall Square

The nerve center and main artery of the town of Cascais is the Town Hall SquareKnown as October 5 square.

Located in front of the beach, the main shopping streets open from it and the coastal road that runs from Lisbon to Cascais runs through it.

Fisherman's houses in Cascais

If you continue walking along the boardwalk from the statue of Charles I or from the fortress, you will begin to find houses that reflect the economic power of the time when the high elites lived there.

If you continue along the coast you will find the old fishermen houses.

These are low houses with impressive views of the sea and access to the different beaches that can be found along the bay.

Rebuilt on the inside, they maintain their exterior charm, and are now only accessible to the wealthiest pockets.

Cascais Village Market

Although some of its areas are open every day, to enjoy the color and greater charm of the Cascais Village Market You have to visit it on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which is when all the stalls selling fresh products are set up.

It is a market that we really liked because of the variety of garden products that we can buy, also highlighting the fish market area.

There you find a restaurant where you can eat fish previously purchased at the stalls.

Hellmouth in Cascais

A wonder that has created the nature in Cascais It is called Mouth of Hell, the result of the force with which the sea waves have opened an inlet of water through the rocks in a cliff area.

Erosion has formed a natural stone bridge under which the waves flow with force and even stop abruptly with a stone wall, the water jumping and making a loud noise with great abruptness during storms.

It should be noted that right at the entrance to this environment there is a restaurant, “Sea of ​​hell“, where we had the opportunity to enjoy a meal that we really loved.

Guincho beach near Cascais

Already outside the urban center of Cascais, towards the west you will find the Cascais natural park just over 10 minutes by car (you can also get there by bus that leaves from said center)

It is an area where nature, the dunes and the force of the Atlantic They create a truly impressive place, a beach already hit directly by the sea with large wave lines that turn it into an enclave ideal for surfers.

There you can find the Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho which has stunning views.

I was left with the desire to meet there during a storm, because being located at the top of a cliff where the sea hits, as we were told, when a storm comes, the water jumps up to the restaurant.

Hotels in Cascais

Finally, it is worth highlighting the great offer of good hotels in Cascais.

For those of you who like hotels with golf courses, surely Cascais you are going to love it.

In addition, if you can travel outside of high season, you will find real great hotels at very affordable prices.

We stayed in the Hotel Oitavos, which has an 18-hole golf course, swimming pools, gym, spa and everything we needed to rest.

The entire area where the large hotels are located is linked by a bike lane that runs through the entire Cascais natural park,

This allows you to travel along paths parallel to the dunes and the sea, with hardly any unevenness, which can be enjoyed all year round thanks to the mild climate of the area.

In this regard, I can tell you that there are several electric bike rental establishments in case you want to benefit from the help this provides when pedaling.

Map: where it is and how to get to Cascais

Cascais is 30 kilometers from Lisbon, from where you arrive in half an hour via the A5 motorway, with the alternative of the coastal road, where it will take an hour.