There is so much to see in Cascais, a traditional little fishing village. The small coastal town is just 30 kilometres from the Portuguese capital and a favourite holiday destination for locals.
In Cascais you will be able to make the most of a great coastal climate so you can spend long hours on its wonderful beaches, as well as enjoy sunny days whilst getting to know its most emblematic sites and landmarks. You will find it impossible to get bored given the amount of cultural and leisure activities to do in Cascais, from impressive fortresses to its stunning Marina. If you want to discover all the details, keep reading our post!
To organise your trip we recommend using the Passporter app. Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers and add the places that interest you to the route map. You can also keep all important documents in one place such as travel tickets or hotel reservations, among many other features, completely free of charge.
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Things to see in Cascais
The Old Town
The Old Town is probably the most beautiful and most visited area of Cascais. As in most cities in the world, the most significant landmarks of the city are hidden in the old town, and Cascais is no exception.
As well as a myriad of bars, restaurants and cafes where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere of Cascais over a drink, in the old town you can visit some of the town’s most impressive viewpoints, as well as its most emblematic streets, including Rúa de Saudade, Rúa de Misericordia and Rúa Fernandes Thomás. Along the way you will also find the famous Portuguese whitewashed houses, decorated with typical Portuguese tiles, creating a perfect background to take pictures. Finally, you cannot leave the old town without visiting the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes. It will amaze you.
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Municipal Market
The Municipal Market, also known as the Mercado da Vila, is one of the most emblematic places to see in Cascais. This large market is located in the city and is the ideal place to discover the most traditional local foods.
Inside you can find all kinds of products, from a wide variety of fruit and vegetables to more select food such as locally sourced seafood and fish. If you go there on a Wednesday or Saturday, as well as food, you can find a clothes market. At five o’clock in the afternoon on any weekday you can witness an authentic fish auction. It is a really interesting event to watch.
Visconde da Luz Garden
This beautiful garden is located in the heart of the town centre and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful green spaces to see in Cascais. In the past, it was used as a stage for a huge number of events, from concerts to plays and shows.
Today, it is the ideal place to take a stroll and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Surrounded by trees, you can sit somewhere in the gardens and enjoy a peaceful moment in nature. You’ll also find some little bars where you can sit down for a drink and recharge. We recommend visiting on a Wednesday as you’ll find a small craft market with products made in the area.
Praia da Rainha
Although not noted for its size, Praia da Rainha is one of the most beautiful beaches to visit in Cascais. Being more discreet and hidden than the others, it largely manages to avoid the crowds, thus offering greater tranquillity.
This beach has a very easy access, with its main entrance being a staircase that starts at the Rainha Beach square. You can spend a wonderful day of sun and sea in one of the most beautiful spots in the area. When you feel you’ve had enough of the beach, you can go to one of the bars in the area. As a last activity before leaving the beach, we recommend going up to the balcony and admiring the sea from an even more impressive perspective. You’ll love it!
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Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz
The Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Luz is one of the most important landmarks to see in Cascais, so it should definitely top your list of things to see in the town. Having been built in 1594, this building has a quatrocentista style.
This landmark is part of the military forts that were built to defend the Cascais coast. However, it was damaged by an earthquake that took place in 1755, leaving only the main walls. The architecture of this fortress is made up of a triangular plan with an Italian military style that will definitely catch your attention. We 100% recommend visiting.
Cascais Marina
One of the most visited and famous places to see in Cascais is without a doubt its incredible Marina. It is a huge marina that is home to a myriad of sea-related activities as well as breathtaking views.
As you stroll around this large area overlooking the sea, you’ll be able to watch the boats coming in and out, as well as some of the most beautiful and expensive boats and yachts in the world. As you would expect, the Marina is also home to a wide range of restaurants offering some of the best seafood. If you’re up for it, you can even book a boat trip along the coast – it could be an unforgettable experience!
Boca do Inferno
Boca do Inferno is a must-see on your trip to Cascais. This incredible natural spot is only a 30-minute walk from the city; once you arrive you will realise that the walk was well worth it.
This place is made up of a set of rock formations that have been eroded over the years by the sea, forming incredible cavities through which the water enters, creating an infernal noise – now you understand why it got its fearsome name. Once you’re there, you can see this incredible natural event, especially if you go on a stormy day (although watch out for the waves as you may get soaked). You can book a tour to visit Boca do Inferno and other wonders of nature at an amazing price.
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Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimaraes
You have probably heard of the Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimaraes, as it is certainly the most beautiful museum to see in Cascais. Not only does its facade exude unparalleled beauty and elegance, but its interior holds some of the most historically valuable secrets.
With such a beautiful facade and being surrounded by a lovely garden, it is a good place to visit with children, who will have a great time running around. If you are a fan of architecture, you will surely enjoy admiring this beautiful building, similar to a fairytale castle. Inside you can enjoy an exhibition on the history and evolution of Cascais.
Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
The Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum is located next to the Casa de Santa Marta, and is currently a leisure and cultural space whilst also maintaining its function as a lighthouse.
Where the old lighthouse keepers used to live, you can now find the museum’s exhibition space and a small cafeteria. During your visit to the museum, you can enjoy a wide collection of maritime features, learning about the different lighthouses in Portugal, the history of navigation and curiosities about the lighthouse keeper’s trade. In addition, if you are interested, you can stay to watch Lighthouses of Portugal, a documentary shown in the museum itself, which is included with the visit.
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Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Cascais?
Cabo de Roca
Cabo de Roca is one of the wildest natural spots to see in Cascais. As well as being the most westerly point in all of Europe, this set of cliffs creates a landscape that looks like something out of a film.
Located just 25 minutes from Cascais, Cabo de Roca has an atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re at the end of the world, in a completely untouched environment. Despite its lack of urban development, there is a beautiful lighthouse, as well as a few cafes and small shops. For the more adventurous, there are several hiking trails and climbing routes, but it is essential to be well equipped as they are not for beginners. Some routes will take you to places such as Adraga Beach or Ursa Beach. Truly fascinating!
Praia do Guincho
Guincho Beach is considered one of the most impressive beaches in Portugal. Located at the end of Lisbon’s coastline, this beach is part of the Serra de Sintra mountain range.
This beach is particularly characterised by its large waves and strong wind, which is why it has become a favourite spot for surfers to practise the sport. This beach offers a semi-wild environment, making it an impressive part of natural. Although it is not very well connected by public transport, this beach is worth a visit, as it is only 6 kilometres from Cascais. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all its majesty!
Azenhas do Mar
This amazing seaside town is part of the Serra de Sintra mountain range and has one of the most beautiful beaches to see in Portugal. It is part of the famous Estoril Coast, just a short distance from Guincho Beach.
Due to how close it is, being only a 30-minute drive away, Azehnas do Mar can be the perfect day trip from Cascais. Once you’ve arrived in the town, you can enjoy a pleasant visit while getting to know its most characteristic features: the traditional seaside cottages, the amazing beaches, the famous wine cellars and, last but not least, don’t forget to go up to the viewpoint to enjoy spectacular views of the whole of Azenhas do Mar. The perfect way to end your day in the city.
What to see in Cascais in 1 day?
- Walk through the Old Town
- Discover the Municipal Market
- Admire the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Luz
- Have dinner at Cascais Marina
- Walk in the Visconde da Luz Garden
What to see in Cascais in 2 days?
- Discover the Boca do Inferno
- Visit the Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimaraes
- Escape to Azenhas do Mar
- Visit the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
- Go for a swim at Praia da Rainha
- Walk along Praia do Guincho
- See the Cabo de Roca
Frequently Asked Questions
Entrance to the Museum of Santa Marta and the lighthouse costs €5.
To get to Boca do Inferno, you will have to take a 30-minute walk along the coast; or you can rent a bike and ride along the special lane, which will get you there in much less time.
There are several ways to get to Azenhas do Mar from Cascais.
– First of all, you can rent a car and drive approximately 24 kilometres along the A16. You will arrive in about 30 minutes.
– Secondly, you can take the 403 bus, which takes approximately two hours.
– Finally, you can take a taxi along the A16, although this option will certainly be the most expensive.
A normal ticket costs €3, while a ticket for locals costs €1.50. For people with reduced mobility or unemployed persons, the ticket costs €1.50.
How to plan your itinerary of the places to see in Cascais?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way and according to the number of days and the places you want to see in Cascais.
With the app you can:
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other point that you choose.
- Know the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along in each of the places, for when someone asks you “How was your trip to Cascais?” Visit my traveller profile on Passporter.
If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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