Cascais

Day Trips

Arrive in Cascais by train from Lisbon and feel the salty breeze as you step onto Praça 5 de Outubro. Enjoy a pastel de nata and espresso at a local pastelaria while watching fishermen unload fresh catch. Wander along the tiled promenade, admiring coastal sculptures and colorful street art under a bright sky.

Check into your boutique hotel then head to the Santa Marta lighthouse and museum for sweeping views of the bay. Stroll the Marina de Cascais, eyeing sleek yachts and bobbing fishing boats before stopping at a seaside café for grilled sardines and vinho verde. Pause on the quayside to savor the gentle sway of the water and the distant cries of seagulls.

Witness the dramatic waves at Boca do Inferno as the sun dips toward the horizon. Dine at a waterfront restaurant, sampling seafood rice and tender octopus with lemon and herbs. Conclude your evening with a moonlit stroll down lantern-lit streets, stopping for gelato at a charming gelataria.

Start at the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães to admire its 19th-century architecture and eclectic art collection. Sip a strong espresso in Largo da Câmara while locals set up their market stalls. Meander through narrow lanes lined with pastel-colored facades, azulejo tiles, and blooming bougainvillea.

Head to the Mercado da Vila to sample regional cheeses, olives, and artisanal breads. Wander to Casa das Histórias Paula Rego and explore Paula Rego’s surreal and evocative paintings in a striking modernist building. Rest in a sunlit courtyard with a glass of crisp white vinho verde before continuing your stroll.

Immerse yourself in a Fado performance at a cozy tavern, letting soulful melodies convey stories of longing and saudade. Savor a warming bowl of caldo verde soup and slices of pão de Deus as live music drifts through candlelit tables. Drift back along cobblestone streets, lantern reflections dancing on the pavement.

Take the scenic coastal train to Estoril and step off near Praia do Tamariz with its golden sands. Enjoy breakfast at a beachfront café, watching early swimmers and surfers catch the waves. Stroll the promenade and dip your toes in the Atlantic before pressing on to Parque Marechal Carmona.

Explore the rose gardens, tranquil ponds, and shaded pathways of Parque Marechal Carmona at a leisurely pace. Visit the elegant Casa de Santa Maria with its Moorish arches and panoramic views of the ocean. Pop into a nearby tearoom for a pastel de feijão and a pot of fresh herbal tea.

Return to Estoril Casino and wander through its Art Deco interiors, soaking in the glamour of a bygone era. Dine at a sophisticated seafood restaurant with sweeping verandas overlooking the sea. Cap off the evening with a glass of port on the terrace, listening to distant live piano music.

Begin at Boca do Inferno to watch waves thunder into rugged cliffs and send water plumes skyward. Snap dramatic photos of the rocky inlets while breathing in the salty mist. Wander down to Praia da Rainha for a gentle swim in calm, sheltered waters.

Head south to Praia do Tamariz and secure a sunbed under a striped umbrella. Sip a cold drink at a beachfront kiosk and indulge in fresh prawns grilled on the sand. Take a refreshing dip in the turquoise surf before drying off under the warm Portuguese sun.

Enjoy seafood tapas at a clifftop bar overlooking the ocean, sampling dishes like amêijoas à Bulhão Pato. Watch the sun sink into the Atlantic while golden light plays on the rippling waves. Return to Cascais for a nightcap at a lively bar in the old town.

Rent a car or join a guided tour to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe. Marvel at the windswept cliffs and the iconic white lighthouse perched above the roaring sea. Breathe deeply as you stand where land meets endless horizon.

Descend the jagged coastline to surf-worn beaches or explore hidden coves below. Pack a picnic of cured meats, cheeses, and crusty bread to enjoy on a grassy bluff overlooking the waves. Wander the cliff-top walking trails, pausing to watch seabirds wheel in the ocean breeze.

Return to Cascais and freshen up before dinner. Opt for a sunset meal at a terrace restaurant, savoring garlic prawns and lemon-drizzled bass. End the night with a glass of ginjinha at a tucked-away bar in the historic quarter.

Travel to nearby Sintra and begin at the National Palace to admire its distinctive chimneys and colorful tiled rooms. Listen to the echo of footsteps in vaulted halls and imagine courtly gatherings from centuries past. Sip a Galão beside the palace garden fountain.

Hike the lush forest trails to the Castle of the Moors, stopping at scenic overlooks for postcard panoramas of Sintra and the Atlantic. Descend past moss-covered walls and wildflowers to the village center. Refuel with travesseiros—flaky almond pastries—in a traditional bakery.

Dine at a quaint tavern in Sintra village, sampling hearty mushroom stew and local red wine. Stroll past illuminated facades and hidden chapels, soaking in the village’s romantic ambiance. Return to Cascais by twilight, dreaming of palaces in the hills.

Arrive early at Quinta da Regaleira to beat the crowds and descend into the Initiation Well’s spiral staircase shrouded in mist. Explore hidden tunnels, stone carvings, and secret grottoes echoing with dripping water. Pause in the chapel courtyard to absorb the sense of enchantment.

Wander the botanical gardens, discovering Chinese pavilions, grotto pools, and whimsical statues around every bend. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the estate café, tasting homemade quiches and fresh salads. Climb the tower for sweeping views of Sintra’s verdant slopes and distant coast.

Head back to Cascais and relax with a sunset cocktail at a rooftop bar overlooking the bay. Treat yourself to a gourmet seafood feast, sampling scallops, clams, and sea bass in fragrant sauces. Stroll along the moonlit waterfront before turning in for the night.

Drive or bike to Praia do Guincho, renowned for its powerful Atlantic swells and golden dunes. Join a surf school to catch your first waves or improve your technique with an experienced instructor. Warm up afterward with a smoothie bowl at a beachside shack.

Explore the rugged coastline on a guided ATV or horseback tour, savoring panoramic ocean views and hidden coves. Pack a picnic of local cheeses, sun-ripened tomatoes, and crusty bread to enjoy atop a dune. Capture photographs of wind-sculpted sand and azure waters stretching to the horizon.

Return to Cascais and treat sore muscles to a deep-tissue massage at a seaside spa. Freshen up and dine at a chic bistro in the marina, choosing from creative tapas and fine Portuguese wines. Conclude with live music at an open-air lounge under the stars.

Begin with breakfast at a waterfront café, sampling travesseiros and strong Portuguese coffee as fishing boats glide by. Stroll the Marina de Cascais, peeking into galleries and boutiques selling handcrafted ceramics and leather goods. Pause at a sundrenched terrace to sip a chilled vinho verde.

Embark on a private boat tour to explore sea caves and hidden beaches along the coast. Dive into crystalline waters for snorkeling among fish and seaweed forests. Return for a leisurely seafood lunch at a floating restaurant, savoring clams, mussels, and linguine al limone.

Dine at a Michelin-recommended restaurant in the historic center, experiencing innovative twists on traditional Portuguese flavors. Pair each course with a fine Douro wine selected by your sommelier. End the night with nightcaps at a speakeasy bar tucked behind an unassuming door.

Gather local produce, cheeses, cured meats, and fresh pastries at Mercado da Vila for a final picnic. Head to Parque Palmela or a quiet clifftop spot overlooking the ocean. Spread a blanket and savor each bite while listening to waves lapping below.

Spend your last afternoon wandering favorite streets of Cascais, revisiting a hidden bookstore or artisan jewelry shop. Stop for gelato or house-made chocolates as you reminisce about the week’s highlights. Sit in a seaside park and watch sailing boats drift past in the warm glow of afternoon light.

Return to the water’s edge and toast your adventure with a glass of sparkling wine as the sun sets in a blaze of pink and gold. Share one more plate of grilled prawns or carabineiros at your favorite restaurant. End the evening by the harbor, savoring the gentle lapping of the sea and bidding farewell to Cascais.