Cascais

Travel Guide

Cascais as well as a small group of people
Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum featuring a lighthouse and general coastal views
Cascais showing outdoor art
Condes de Castro Guimaraes Museum featuring night scenes and heritage elements
Cascais

Cascais is a seaside town located on the sunny Estoril Coast, about 40 minutes by train from Lisbon. Cascais is a cosmopolitan city, known for its picturesque centre, beautiful mansions and its marina, and is considered to be one of the richest areas in Portugal.

History

Back in the Middle Ages, Cascais was a fishing village, but in 1755, the great Lisbon earthquake destroyed most of it. Luckily the Portuguese Royal Family came to spend their summers in Cascais and so Cascais gained the resources needed to redevelop. It was the first city in the country to be installed with electricity. In the 20th Century the nearby town, Estoril, became a luxury holiday destination with a casino and opulent hotels. It also served as a high-class retreat during the Second World War. Many royal families came to live in Cascais such as those from Spain and Italy. Today, although it is a large city, it still has the feel of a small charming village.

Paula Rego Museum

Paula Rego is one of Portugal's most acclaimed artists, known internationally for her paintings based on storybooks and images of young girls with a colourful Portuguese theme. She was born in Lisbon but raised in Cascais, and at the Paula Rego Museum you can admire many of her works.

Boca do Inferno

Boca do Inferno is a cave carved out of the rock by ocean waves. The name literally translates to the ‘mouth to hell’, as it produces a spectacularly hellish sound effect when the waves crash into the rocks.

Lighthouse/Museu de Santa Marta

The 19th century lighthouse that houses the Museu de Santa Marta is a classic example of a traditional Portuguese lighthouse. The history of lighthouses in maritime Portugal is conveyed through a movie shown at the museum, depicting the oversized Fresnel lenses, and the lighthouse keeper diaries against the beautiful backdrop of sweeping sea views.

Fort of Our Lady

This fort was built to protect the coast of LisbonOpens in a new window and is dedicated to Our Lady of Light. This fortress has a lovely patio, originally built to allow communication between the three bastions.

World Press Cartoon Museum

Cascais has the most prestigious international exhibition of graphic humour, showcased in the World Press Cartoon Museum. This Museum displays an unbeatable selection of humorous sketching, caricature and cartoon themed editorials.

Parque Marechal Carmona

The Parque Marechal Carmona is a grand park with spacious lawns lined with trees, lakes, a picnic area and a playground. It is home to the Municipal Library of Children. Every Saturday the park holds the Biological Market of Cascais, where you can find beautiful fresh organic produce. It’s also home to the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum built in the 20th century, the museum holds a collection of Indo-Portuguese furniture, paintings, a chapel, and a beautiful library.

Guincho Beach

This is large sandy beach, located north of Cascais, is loved by the surfers and windsurfers who come here looking for awesome waves. It’s such an impressive surf location that the World Surfing Championships were once held here.

Food and Drink

In the Luis de Camões Square you’ll find and incredible selection of delectable dining options, ranging from seafood, traditional Portuguese and Italian cuisine, and trendy bars and pubs. Don’t forget to try the delicious butter cakes from Cascais (areias).

Shopping

Cascais is also a great location for a spot of shopping. Frederico Arouca Street has a selection of quaint stalls selling accessories and souvenirs. Casa da Guia is a beautiful 18th century mansion, repurposed to house shops and cafés, surrounded by stunning sea views.

Where to stay in Cascais

Tamariz Beach featuring general coastal views and a beach as well as a small group of people

Estoril

Estoril is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, abundant dining options and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like Estoril Casino or Tamariz Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Estoril
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Carcavelos

Visitors to Carcavelos enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Carcavelos Beach is worth a stop.

Carcavelos
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Parede

Unique features of Parede include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Avencas Beach or Parede Beach while you're exploring the area.

Parede
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Praia do Guincho

Unique features of Praia do Guincho include the beaches and restaurants. Make a stop by Guincho Beach or Cresmina Beach while you're exploring the area.

Praia do Guincho
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Quinta da Marinha

Golf courses, seaside views and spas are some highlights of Quinta da Marinha. Make a stop by Oitavos Dunes Golf Course or Quinta Da Marinha Golf Course while you're exploring.

Quinta da Marinha
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Abuxarda

Though Abuxarda may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Rainha Beach and Estoril Casino.

Abuxarda
EVOLUTION Cascais-Estoril Hotel
EVOLUTION Cascais-Estoril Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida Marginal 7034, Estoril, Cascais
The price is S$296 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$296
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Cascais. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (348 reviews)
"Very good all"

Reviewed on 2 Jul, 2025

EVOLUTION Cascais-Estoril Hotel
Eurostars Cascais
Eurostars Cascais
4 out of 5
Travessa da Republica, 35-35A, Cascais
The price is S$283 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$283
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Cascais. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (730 reviews)
"Nice location with ocean view. Close to waterfront boardwalk"

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Eurostars Cascais
Grande Real Villa Italia
Grande Real Villa Italia
5 out of 5
Rua Frei Nicolau de Oliveira, 100, Cascais
The price is S$474 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
S$474
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cascais. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Would definitely stay here again but with a proper balcony"

Reviewed on 26 Jun, 2025

Grande Real Villa Italia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pestana Cascais Ocean & Conference Aparthotel
Pestana Cascais Ocean & Conference Aparthotel
4 out of 5
Av. Manuel Julio Carvalho e Costa 115, Cascais
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Cascais. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (540 reviews)
"Enjoyed our stay, would recommend"

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 2025

Pestana Cascais Ocean & Conference Aparthotel
Clube do Lago Hotel
Clube do Lago Hotel
4 out of 5
Av. Saboia 1017, Cascais, Lisboa
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Cascais. Enjoy an outdoor pool, 4 beach bars, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (121 reviews)
"We stayed at this hotel for 8 nights and enjoyed our stay. This hotel is very clean and quiet. The staff is very friendly and attentive. We loved the location. It is close to the tram station, Casino and great restaurants. We will definitely recommend this hotel to our friends."

Reviewed on 1 Jul, 2025

Clube do Lago Hotel
Quinta da Bicuda
Quinta da Bicuda
4 out of 5
R. Bicuda, Cascais, Lisboa
Stay at this 4-star villa in Cascais. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and free bicycles on site. Popular attractions Ribeira Beach and Guincho Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"Amazing property, garden view room was very nice, comfy bed and lots of facilities 7 minutes to the beach and 9 minutes to Cascais, very quiet area, very safe and absolute perfect location for a relaxing stay"

Reviewed on 11 Jun, 2025

Quinta da Bicuda
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cascais

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
97
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
46
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 1%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely town with plenty to do, nice selection of restaurants, great beaches and travel connections to Lisbon and Sintra. Beautiful ocean front hotel.

5/5 - Excellent

MF&TB

I dubbed it 'Lisbon Riviera' ..... I just loved the place! And only 35 mins drive from Lisbon airport!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Cascais is a lovely town and the surrounding area is beautiful. Lovely walks along the coast.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beautiful place and worth visiting. A friendly harbour, with great food and activities

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great shops good restaurants

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful scenery, unbelievable weather for October, I fell in love with it the second i set eyes on it!