Is Cascais Worth Visiting? Beaches, Coastal Walks & What to Expect

Is Cascais worth visiting from Lisbon? After going back more than once, here’s what I love about this seaside town, what I’d skip and whether it deserves a day trip or a night of its own.

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When I say you should spend some time in Cascais, I mean it!

The seaside town gets called the Portuguese Hamptons, and it doesn’t exactly take Einstein to see why…

Plopped with plenty of pretty beaches to go around, grand old houses and ample excuses to settle down with a seafood lunch, there’s plenty in Cascais to tempt.

But after visiting a few times, I think writing off Cascais as simply a posh escape from Lisbon does do it a bit of a disservice.

Somewhere between the fishing boats, old royal villas and the Atlantic coastline, it’s become one of my favourite excuses to leave Lisbon for a day, or in fact, two or three.

Here’s how to decide if it’s right for you.

Shall we?

Quick Overview: Is Cascais Worth Visiting?

My verdict	Yes! Particularly for seafood, a lovely old town, coastal walks and a little Portuguese history.
How long to stay	A full day is worth it. I loved having two nights for a more relaxed stay.
Best for	Couples, friends, art lovers, seaside walks and anyone wanting a break from Lisbon’s hills.
Not ideal for	Travellers expecting guaranteed beach weather, bargain beachfront dining or an empty summer resort town.
Best time to go	Spring to early autumn for more beach time; winter for the town, museums, food and coastal walks (if the weather cooperates).
Getting there	Take the CP train from Lisbon, takes around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the service.
Where I stayed	Kimpton Quinta da Marinha, a chic Cascais resort, just a few minutes’ drive from the old town.

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What Makes Cascais Worth Visiting?

It Was a Fishing Town Before It Became Fashionable

The seaside villas can make Cascais look as though it’s always been a holiday town. But it really hasn’t.

For centuries, fishing was central to life here and there’s lots of wonderful bits of local history to discover here if you look for it.

But as the story goes, sellers once carried their catches all the way to Lisbon, a journey of around six hours on foot. Then, in 1870, King Luís I chose Cascais for his summer residence. The court followed, and so did the grand houses, promenades and all the trimmings of a fashionable resort.

You can still see both sides of the town’s story around Cascais Bay, with fishing boats bobbing in the harbour and the old Cascais Citadel just a short walk away. The royal family once stayed there, and today you’ll find galleries, shops and the Cidadela Art District, with the marina just beside it.

You can also visit the free Museu da Vila to dive deeper into Cascais’s history and the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego if you’re interested in Portuguese art. The building alone is worth the stop (designed by Eduardo Souto de Moura!).

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Seafood Lunches on Yellow Street

Of course, when it comes to Cascais, there’s the seafood (oh, the seafood).

On my last visit, I ate at Sa Caleta, on Rua Afonso Sanches in the Rua Amarela restaurant area. It’s a little cluster of yellow-painted streets where you can sit down for a proper meal instead of racing between sights.

I had a flurry of Portuguese petiscos, loved it (and would happily go back for another long lunch).

Almost sinfully convenient, you can grab an ice cream at Santini around the corner, founded by Attilio Santini, who opened his first shop in neighbouring Estoril in 1949. It’s been voted among the best in Portugal!

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Cascais’ Beaches and Old Villas

One of the other (and many) things I love about Cascais is how quickly you can go from the station and shops to an actual sandy beach.

Praia da Rainha is a little cove tucked between the rocks and old buildings, while Praia da Conceição and Praia da Duquesa are both close enough to the railway station that you could arrive and be lying on the sand in little to no time.

But my favourite part of the waterfront on my last trip was a little farther towards Santa Marta. Here, the white-and-blue Santa Marta Lighthouse stands beside Casa de Santa Maria, designed in 1902 by Portuguese architect Raul Lino.

And just around the corner is the almost storybook-looking Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães. In other words, a perfect place for a bit of history, and a cheeky swim!

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Scootering Along the Atlantic Coast

Head west from the sheltered little beaches near Cascais station, and you’ll find the Atlantic coastline practically begging for you to explore.

Along it you’ll find the Boca do Inferno (literally “Mouth of Hell”), a sea-carved rocky inlet where Atlantic waves crash against the cliffs with dramatic views that’ll make you feel like you’ve entered a Portuguese adventure film.

I adored scootering along the coast from around Santa Marta on my last visit around the area—you can rent one easily just a minute walk to the right of the Santa Marta Lighthouse—which is a super fun way to see more of the shoreline.

Farther along you’ll find Casa da Guia, a nineteenth-century house with cafés, restaurants and little shops in its gardens above the ocean. And beyond that, Praia do Guincho for a different beach from the sheltered coves in town: think big dunes, waves, wind and the Sintra hills in the background.

And if you’re really going for it, you can visit what’s rumoured to be the best beach in Portugal Praia do Guincho and the Cresmina dune walkways.

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When Cascais Might Not Be Worth It

I love Cascais, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for every Portugal trip. Here’s what might make you hesitate before adding it to your holiday.

• You only have a day or two in Lisbon. If the capital is your main reason for travelling, I wouldn’t give up your only full sightseeing day just to say you’ve seen the coast.
• You want completely empty beaches in peak summer. The central coves are small, and on a sunny weekend you’ll be sharing them (hack around this, though: go early and make more of the town and museums closer to closing time).
• You’re expecting a cheap, isolated fishing village. You can still find local history and independent businesses, but the fashionable side of Cascais is very much alive, and meals and hotel stays definitely reflect that.
• You’re coming purely to swim in January or February. I wouldn’t plan a winter visit around the beach. The sea can be rough, the weather changeable, and you’ll enjoy the town much more if the swimming is a bonus.

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Is Cascais Worth Visiting in November, December or Winter?

Yes, as long as you’re not expecting a beach holiday.

In November and December, you can still enjoy a seafood lunch, the old streets and a walk by the sea on a clear day. January and February can still be lovely for the same reasons, but I’d absolutely bring a proper layer and check the forecast. By March, you’ll slowly start getting brighter days, but I still wouldn’t bank on beach weather.

Instead, go for bits like the Museu da Vila, Paula Rego museum, the Cascais-to-Estoril Paredão or a spa stay at the Kimpton Quinta da Marinha.

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Should You Visit Cascais or Sintra from Lisbon?

Ooh, now that’s a tricky one. But let’s get into it.

If you want royal palaces, gardens and a day full of architecture and history, I’d go for Sintra. The National Palace of Sintra and Quinta da Regaleira are two of my favourite places to explore, and the town really rewards an overnight stay.

But if you’re craving the sea, a long lunch and a day that doesn’t involve quite so much planning around palace entrances, Cascais is the one I’d choose.

Personally, I’d give each its own day rather than rushing through Sintra’s castles in the morning and trying to get to Cascais by afternoon. I’ve mapped out how I’d split the time in my four-day Lisbon itinerary.

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Is a Day Trip Enough, or Should You Stay Overnight?

A day trip is absolutely enough to decide whether you love Cascais. You’ll have time for the bay, lunch, a beach or two, and a bit of the historic waterfront without needing to change hotels.

With that said, I’m so glad I stayed in the Cascais area for two nights on my last Portugal trip. I could spend time around the waterfront and still enjoy the hotel without feeling I had to choose between the two.

Where I Stayed: Kimpton Quinta da Marinha

I personally stayed at and recommend the Kimpton Quinta da Marinha, a resort-style hotel outside the old town.

The staff and hospitality were extremely friendly, and I really enjoyed the spa, including a wonderfully restorative facial. I also had a slew of traditional (and incredible) Portuguese dishes with dinner at Ao Ponto here, and all in all it made a lovely excuse to spend a little longer in Cascais rather than immediately getting back on the train.

The only thing I’d keep in mind is the location, as you’ll need to take a short Uber from the station to get here.

Read More: Kimpton Quinta da Marinha Review: Is This Cascais Hotel Worth It?

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How to Get to Cascais from Lisbon

For most people, the train is the easiest way to get there. From Cais do Sodré station, you can purchase your ticket from the machine booths on the day with your contactless card, check for the platform signs and take the Cascais Line to the final stop.

You’ll arrive in around 40 to 60 minutes, and be perfectly within walking distance of the old town and main beaches. No car needed! (and Uber is easy to get ahold of).

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Final Thoughts: Is Cascais Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. I’ve enjoyed Cascais on more than one visit, and the fact that it’s so easy to get to from Lisbon only makes me like it more.

I’d go back in a blink for another long seafood lunch at Sa Caleta, another Santini ice cream and the chance to spend a little more time around Santa Marta. I wouldn’t mind taking a whole afternoon for the wilder coast towards Guincho either…

So, if you have a day to spare, go! If you have a night, even better. And remember there’s much more to Cascais than a quick photograph of the beach (but don’t forget your photo of the beach…).

Have the most fabulous time in Portugal.

Happy travels,

Candace x

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FAQ: Is Cascais Worth Visiting?

Is Cascais worth visiting from Lisbon for just half a day?

Yes, but only if you keep it simple. Take the train from Cais do Sodré, enjoy Cascais Bay, wander the old town and have lunch or an ice cream. But a full day is obviously best if you’re hoping to visit the museum quarter and follow the coast too.

Do you need a car to visit Cascais?

Not for the historic centre, main beaches, restaurants or the marina. The train drops you close to all of them. For Guincho, Cresmina or Cabo da Roca, you’ll need to plan extra transport, but Uber is easily available.

Is Cascais good for families with children?

It can be, particularly if the plan is a beach, ice cream and a fairly easy stroll rather than packed sightseeing. I’d choose a supervised swimming beach, check the conditions and just remember to keep an eye near the rocky coast and cliff viewpoints.

Is Cascais expensive?

It depends how you spend the day. The train from Lisbon is inexpensive, and you can enjoy the harbour, streets and waterfront without buying attraction tickets. A fancy hotel or long seaside lunch will naturally cost more, so Cascais can be a simple day out or a rather lovely splurge.

Can you visit Cascais and Sintra in one day?

You can, but I wouldn’t do it for a first trip. Sintra’s palaces take time to get between and Cascais is much nicer when you can actually stop for lunch and enjoy the water. If you have two days available, I’d give them one each (they’re also not easily connected by public transit so you’ll need to take a short Uber between them). Read my Lisbon to Sintra guide to plan your day out!

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