For a seaside escape, head straight to Cascais. Just down the coast from Lisbon, this small town boasts beaches, elegant palaces, a bike-friendly promenade, and much more. You could spend weeks in the Portuguese capital and never run out of things to do—but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on all the fantastic day trips from Lisbon. And if you feel the urge to see the ocean, we highly recommend taking a day trip to Cascais.
This seaside town is full of attractions, from beautiful beaches and relaxing parks to museums, markets, and shops. In the 19th century it was a summer getaway for Portuguese royalty, and you can still admire their imposing mansions as you walk along the waterfront today.
If you’re planning a day trip to Cascais, here are some insider tips on how to get there, what to do, and—of course—where to eat.
What to do in Cascais
Relax on the beach
Its seaside location is among the main reasons to take a day trip from Lisbon to Cascais, and there are 5 different beaches to choose from in the town center. Near the train station, you’ll find Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa. These two beaches are right next to each other and provide easy access to bars and ice cream kiosks.
A bit more hidden is Praia da Rainha, which means “the Queen’s Beach.” It used to be a private beach for Queen Dona Amélia, but these days everyone is welcome. Because it’s so small, it gets crowded very quickly, so we suggest going here later in the afternoon or evening.
Opposite the town hall, there’s Praia da Ribeira de Cascais, also known as Praia dos Pescadores. There are a lot of fishing boats in this area, so it’s not the best for swimming, but there’s plenty of room to bask in the sun. When the tide is low, you can also relax at the tiny cove of Praia de Santa Marta near the marina, or sit by the rocks and enjoy the view of the lighthouse.
Insider tip:
- Every year in August, locals head to the promenade opposite Praia dos Pescadores to see Festas do Mar, a free music festival that ends with a fireworks show.
Wander around the Old Town
Once you’ve seen the beach, take some time to wander around Cascais’s old town. Most tourists head straight to Rua Frederico Arouca or Largo Luís de Camões, but it’s worth taking a detour and exploring all the other side streets.
Rua da Saudade, for example, is much quieter and has a hidden stairway to Praia da Rainha, while Rua Afonso Sanches is full of local restaurants. As you walk, make sure to look down and admire the traditional mosaic sidewalks. The best example is the wavy pattern near the town hall and Baía de Cascais.
Explore the Museum Quarter
Most of the cultural attractions in Cascais are located within a small area called the Bairro dos Museus (Museum Quarter).
The main highlights are the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, and the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum.
You can buy an individual ticket for each place or get a combined 24-hour ticket (available to purchase at any of the museums) that gives you access to all the attractions. It’s a good option if you plan on visiting more than two museums.
Check out the area around the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum for some spectacular views.
Check out the yachts at the Cascais Marina
You may not own a yacht, but you can always pretend you do as you walk past the Cascais Marina.
Set below the Citadel of Cascais, it’s one of the largest marinas in Portugal and hosts several sailing events throughout the year. There are also a few bars and restaurants here, but they’re not as lively as the ones in the center.
Take a stroll through Parque Marechal Carmona
Parque Marechal Carmona is the perfect place to escape the crowds. It has two playgrounds, a cafe with an outdoor terrace overlooking a pond, and plenty of grass to relax on.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot a peacock or two during your stroll. There are several entrances to the park, but the main ones are next to the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum and on Avenida da República.
Admire the views from Boca do Inferno
You can’t leave Cascais without visiting Boca do Inferno. Set a few minutes away from the town center, this astonishing cliff formation offers the best sea views in town. The cliffs form an open cave, and when the waves get rough, water splashes out everywhere. That’s why people call it Boca do Inferno, which means “Hell’s Mouth” in Portuguese.
Insider tip:
- If you have time, we recommend renting a bike and following the coastal trail from Boca do Inferno to Praia do Guincho. Just keep in mind that it can be very windy.
Visit the Mercado da Vila
Like most food markets in Lisbon, Cascais’s Mercado da Vila has been completely renovated and is now home to a variety of bars and restaurants.
It’s quiet during most of the week, but on Wednesdays and weekends it comes alive with a traditional farmer’s market featuring colorful stands of vegetables, fruits, Portuguese cheeses, and more. You might also find clothes, antiques, organic products, or art, depending on the day (check the weekly schedule on their website).
Insider tip:
- The Mercado da Vila hosts several events throughout the year, from craft beer festivals to Christmas fairs. Check the market’s Facebook page for upcoming events.
Follow the promenade to Estoril
The Paredão de Cascais is a promenade that runs along the coast and is lined with bars and cafes. It starts behind Praia da Conceição and stretches for nearly three kilometers (almost two miles) all the way to the nearby town of São João do Estoril. Even in the winter, this is a favorite spot for runners and dog walkers.
If you’re up for it, after visiting Cascais you can follow the promenade to Estoril and catch the train back to Lisbon from there.
The best things to do in Cascais at night
When the sun goes down, Cascais becomes much quieter. You can take this opportunity to go for a stroll by the beach or get a late-night gelato from Santini. Created by an Italian immigrant back in 1949, this ice cream shop is a local favorite. In fact, the original location was just down the coast at Praia do Tamariz in Estoril.
Insider tip:
- Cascais actually has two Santini locations very close to each other; the one on Alameda dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra is open until 11 p.m. (or midnight on Fridays and Saturdays)—two hours later than the one on Avenida Valbom.
There are also many bars in Cascais where you can grab a drink. From Wednesday to Sunday, head to Cascais Jazz Club to enjoy some live music.
And if you end up in Estoril, you might want to visit the Casino Estoril. Apart from the usual attractions, it also hosts all kinds of shows and concerts, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the agenda.
When is the best time to visit Cascais?
Since Cascais is primarily known for its beaches, the most popular time to visit is summer. The town can get pretty busy in the peak season of July–August, when many Lisbon locals head to the beach to escape the heat of the city. We prefer to visit during the shoulder months of May, June, and September, when the weather is warm and the beaches are less crowded.
That said, temperatures are often high enough to enjoy the beach in April and October too—and sometimes even during the colder months from November to March. If you visit at this time of year you might want to bring layers, but it’s possible to get lucky with a warm and sunny day.
When the weather isn’t beach-friendly—whether due to cold or rain—there are also plenty of fun indoor things to do in Cascais. We suggest checking out the museums described above, wandering through the Mercado da Vila, and maybe getting cozy in one of the town’s many fantastic restaurants. And if you just need to get out of the elements for a while, pop into Livraria Galileu or INDIE to shop for new or secondhand books.
Where to eat in Cascais
- Mar do Inferno: Located near Boca do Inferno, this place serves delicious seafood and grilled fish. Book ahead and you might get a table with an ocean view.
- Baía do Peixe: Head here for the rodízio, which is basically an all-you-can-eat menu of various kinds of fish and seafood for a fixed price.
- House of Wonders: Just off the touristy Rua Frederico Arouca, you’ll find this hidden restaurant serving vegetarian food and fresh juices. If it’s sunny, make sure to go up to the rooftop terrace.
- Taberna Clandestina Cascais: This small restaurant serves a mix of Portuguese and Italian snacks. Head here for a light meal paired with a glass of wine.
How to get to Cascais from Lisbon
There are a few different ways to get to Cascais from Lisbon—it just depends on whether you prefer a faster, cheaper, or easier option.
If you don’t have a car, the simplest way is by train:
- There’s a direct line from Cais do Sodré (in central Lisbon) to Cascais. The journey follows the coast and features some nice views of the water. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Cascais, and the train station is right in the town center, about a three-minute walk from Praia de Conceição. It’s the last stop on the line, which also includes stops at Estoril and various other towns and beaches.
Tickets are very affordable, but if you plan on using public transportation in Lisbon often, we recommend getting the Zapping card. You can load it with money to use for the trains, buses, metro, and trams, and it gives you a small discount on each journey. You can buy individual tickets or the Zapping card from the self-service machines or ticket office at the train station.
Insider tip:
- If there’s a line to buy tickets at Cais do Sodré, go downstairs to the metro and use one of the machines there. It only works if you’re buying the Zapping card, but you’ll get to Cascais faster.
If you do have a car, it takes about 30 minutes to drive from central Lisbon to Cascais (or potentially longer if there’s traffic). The only issue with driving is that parking can be tricky, though there’s a large underground parking garage close to the train station. You can also use a ridesharing app like Uber or Bolt, both of which are relatively affordable in Lisbon.
Update Notice: This post was updated on January 14, 2025.
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