What to See in Cascais

Cascais is a popular Portuguese town with plenty of charm and beautiful beaches, located less than an hour from central Lisbon.

It is perfect for exploring at a leisurely pace, walking along the beach, dining at one of its restaurants, and enjoying a glass of Portuguese wine on its sea-view terraces.

Together with the town of Sintra, it is one of the most important nearby day trips you can make while staying in Lisbon. In fact, if you have little time and no car, we recommend seeing tours like this one.

If you have more time and can explore at your own pace, keep reading to the end, where we explain how to get to this beautiful Portuguese town on your own.

Cascais is an eternally trendy destination with several beaches and a well-established café-terrace culture, so whether it's winter or summer, sitting down with a coffee or a glass of wine is always one of the best ways to soak in the scenery Cascais has to offer.

Cascais is a relaxed town with a calm, family-friendly atmosphere. Its residents are generally people who have lived here for generations, expats who love the pleasant climate, and Portuguese and international vacationers.

It still retains its traditional character as well — at dawn you can spot fishermen hauling in their early-morning catch, and in the afternoon, getting ready for last-minute auctions on the main beach.

As an interesting aside, Portugal's current president actually lives in this town!

What to See in Cascais

If it's summer, it will be hard to go anywhere other than the beach — it'll draw you in like a giant magnet. However, if you want to explore some attractions, you can stroll through the small historic center and visit the Municipal Market, the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Luz, or the Museum Quarter.

The Cascais Museum Quarter includes around 20 cultural points of interest, among which we highlight the venue showcasing the work of Portuguese artist Paula Rego, the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego; the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, built in 1900; and the Cidadela Art District, created by Grupo Pestana to foster a closer connection between the public and contemporary artists across various spaces.

Also, if you're the active type, Cascais is an excellent base for a variety of sports. Travelers from all over Europe and the world come here with their surfboards, windsurfers, or kitesurf gear, as the Guincho beachis just about 20 minutes away by car, well known for its great waves and powerful winds.

Along the coast there is a fine cycling path you can use for a ride by bike or skate.

Cascais, its beaches, and the surrounding area are excellent for a family visit, taking a surf lesson for all skill levels, exploring the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, or simply playing and relaxing on the sand.

You can make the journey by car or bicycle from Cascais to Guincho, along the N247 road. The road and the cycle path offer stunning scenery, and along the way you pass the "Boca do Inferno" where large columns of water crash against the rocks, creating a curious rock formation that is very popular with locals and visitors alike.

Here you'll find a branch of the Santini Ice Cream Shop that claims to have the best ice cream in Portugal. Although Cascais is no Rome, the Santini ice cream truly rivals the best Italian gelato.

How to Get to Cascais from Lisbon

The three easiest options are: by train, by car, or on a guided tour. We explain each one below 👇🏼

By Train from Lisbon to Cascais

To get to Cascais simply take a train from Cais do Sodré in Lisbon. These trains run from 5:30 AM to midnight and cost less than €5.

There is a special ticket, the Bilhete Bairro dos Museus + Linha de Cascais, which costs €10 per person and gives you 24-hour access to the Lisbon–Cascais train line plus entry to the sites on the Cascais cultural circuit (including those mentioned in this post). It can be purchased at the station ticket machines.

By Car from Lisbon

To drive from Lisbon to Cascais there are several route options. We strongly recommend following whatever Google Maps suggests at the time you need to travel, as traffic and roadworks can cause significant delays.

If you have a rental car or are driving your own vehicle, you will most likely want to take the most scenic route, known to the Portuguese as the "marginal," which has stretches with views of the Tagus and the sea. However, if you need to get there faster, the A5 motorway is often a better choice.

On a Guided Tour from Lisbon

Our guide has been online for over 10 years, so we have a long track record of recommending this tour which visitors always thank us for. Take a look, it may help you make a better decision.