Exceptional beaches, fresh fish and seafood at every corner, an entire museum neighborhood, parks and gardens to explore all year round, a vibrant events calendar, great weather and an immense sea ahead. All this and more has led us to our top 10 reasons to discover Cascais now. By the end of your visit, you will understand why Cascais is the most beautiful town in the world. Be sure to share your experience with the hashtag #visitcascais
The scenery
10 rEASONS to discover Cascais now.
CASCAIS, PARA PASSAR UM DIA OU A VIDA TODA
01
CASCAIS
A day or a lifetime
02
03
04
05
06
O Paredão
08
Comer
09
Dormir
10
A getaway
07
The good vibe
O sol
O Mar
A Experiência
O Sol
The sun
The sea
A História
The History
The experience
The boardwalk
The food
Sleep
O Lugar
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PT
ENG
EN
O lugar
O mar
A historia
A experiencia
O paredao
10 razões para descobrir Cascais agora
Aqui a beira
O ambiente
PARA PASSAR UM DIA OU A VIDA TODA
De entre tudo isto e muito mais, assinalamos 10 razões para descobrir Cascais agora. No final, vai perceber a razão do hashtag local:
the scenery
Paradise is here, everything else
Try the following exercise. Ask any Cascalense what is the best thing about living in Cascais. We can bet two things will happen. First, this will be the first time in your life that you use the word Cascalense - no worries, it’s weird for us Portuguese as well; second, that the answer will always be the same: quality of life. Having everything you need to work and live as a family, green spaces and the blue sea, means that whoever lives here wouldn’t change this town for anywhere else in the world. Take into consideration the location, 25 minutes from a European capital, but without the hustle and bustle of the big city, and here is Cascais, an ideal paradise to explore on a walk, always amongst beautiful scenarios and, above all, with time. Take your time, it will be worth it.
Lisbon and Cascais are 33 minutes away by train.
It is just 25 kilometers on the A5: the Cascais-Lisbon motorway.
And it’s 25 minutes on the dot, between the capital and Cascais, at a speed within the limits of the law.
From the center of Cascais to the center of Sintra, it is a 23-minute drive.
The Municipality of Cascais has 20 beaches, all for the choosing.
It is a town, but it has 97.40 km2.
Clean air: the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park has 145 km2 of greenage.
The bike path that connects Cascais to Guincho, always by the sea, measures 8790 meters.
And the boardwalk, from Cascais to São João do Estoril, has 3000 meters.
Prepare the clubs: there are 7 golf courses.
is just around the corner
©MARIANA VALLE LIMA/TIME OUT
10 things you need to know
Aqui à beira
O bom ambiente
A experiência
O paredão
7 perfect places to collect vitamin D all year round.
Cascais is two/three degrees colder in the summer and two/three hotter in the winter than neighboring Lisbon.
House of Wonders
It is a vegetarian restaurant, with Middle Eastern inspired food and a privileged location in the historic center. Plus: it has a terrace on the square in front and another on the rooftop, which is one of the best places to spend a few hours soaking up the sun all year. Trust us.
Largo da Misericordia, 53
Paddle Board
No, we haven’t lost our minds (yet). Anyone who has tried to paddle in the calm waters of the first beaches along the boardwalk (Conceição, Duquesa, Rainha), knows what we are talking about. Just rent a SUP board, suit up, paddle away from the sand, sit on the board and enjoy the coast, seen from the sea.
Casa da Guia
In its genesis, it is a palace from the 19th century, built on a huge plot, on top of a cliff facing the sea. It is a center of commerce and restaurants, with some terraces strategically placed in the sunlight - don’t worry, there’s plenty of shade as well - perfect for drinking coffee, eating a hotdog or a sweet crepe.
Cresmina Dune
It appears in this list for two reasons: 1) the nice terrace of the Cresmina Dune Interpretation Center, where even dogs are entitled to bowls with water; 2) the walkways that connect the said nucleus to Guincho Beach, a 2 km walk full of life - that is, native plants and birds, presented on information panels.
Rua da Areia. Tue-Sun 09.00-18.00
Rental: Sup-paddle board Ocean Activities, 96 558 3155
Mexelhoeiro
It has no identification plate, but it still manages to be the most poorly kept secret in town. It is a rocky area, with smooth surfaces to lay in the sun, a kind of natural solarium, with very difficult access (and even dangerous, we emphasize), but where the usual wind hardly ever enters. On summer days, jumping from there to the sea is a real treat to the soul.
Avenida Rei Humberto de Itália
Marechal Carmona Park
Created in the 1940s, with the junction of the gardens of the Palácio Condes de Castro Guimarães and the lands of Visconde da Gandarinha, it is considered one of Cascais’s lungs. The huge lawn, always well cared for, is an idyllic place to sunbathe: be it with a book in hand, children in the back or a picnic basket.
Praceta Domingos D’Avillez. Everyday 08.30-19.45
Cascais Boardwalk (Paredão)
It is probably the first place that comes to the memory of the people of Cascais when they want to go for a walk (or a run). It connects Conceição Beach to Azarujinha Beach and the route is made with several restaurants on one side and the ocean on the other. It is recommended to wear a hat, to stop by the terraces or take a sit on the benches for sunbathing. Also, always make sure to wear a bathing suit in those summer months.
Avenida Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 101
THE SUN
Welcome and get out
DID YOU KNOW?
©ARLINDO CAMACHO; VISIT CASCAIS; JOANA FREITAS; DUARTE DRAGO
Cascais is best lived on the street. Three hundred-sixty-five-days-a-year. The beaches, the gardens, the boardwalk, the bike path, the historic center, all well tempered with a mild climate are an invitation to do what has always been important for our body: absorbing a healthy amount of vitamin D. What also becomes even more important in the midst of a pandemic is something health books have told us all along: breathing fresh air and sunbathing (with due moderation) brings happiness and energy, helps to regulate sleep, maintain your concentration and reduces stress. So get out - or, better yet - go out and enjoy these 7 perfect places to collect vitamin D all year round.
Rental: Sup-paddle board Ocean Activities, +351 96 558 3155
Beach resort. For many, this is still their best way of describing Cascais. And, to their credit, it is not completely wrong: there are 20 beaches, along 30 km of coastline, quite different from each other. There is no official division, but we will venture in splitting up the coast in three: from Carcavelos to São João do Estoril there are large sands and good waves for surfing; from Estoril to Baía, the sea is calmer and the low tide leaves a series of natural pools in sight; from Cabo Raso to Guincho the sea is a bit more choppy and the wind blows stronger - no complaints from the windsurfers there. Just choose whichever suits you best and, be it with a towel in hand or wearing a sweater, to sunbathe or to have lunch with a good view, just head towards the sea. Where? Start at one of these five beaches.
Praia do Guincho
Praia da Conceição
Praia da Bafureira
Praia da Poça
Praia das Moitas
É célebre entre os mais jovens, que desde sempre gostam de se exibir em mergulhos do pontão.Também conhecida como Praia da Rata (errr…) é pequena, algo rochosa, mas perfeita para entreter as crianças na maré baixa e ideal para apanhar banhos de sol. Tem também uma piscina oceânica natural, para quem gosta de águas mais paradas.
No mar faz-se surf, na areia jogam-se raquetes, no paredão anda-se de skate. De forma muito resumida é assim a Praia da Poça, em São João do Estoril. O areal está habitualmente ocupado por famílias da zona, cujos pais cresceram a fazer surf ali mesmo à frente, e os filhos a chapinhar nas poças que lhe dão o nome.
A primeira do Paredão marca o início do calçadão cascalense. Deve o nome à capelinha junto à praia, erguida em honra de Nossa Senhora da Conceição e está instalada junto a duas habitações icónicas que ajudam a contar a história da vila: o Chalet Faial, antigo tribunal da vila e o Hotel Albatroz, com um terraço onde a vida se torna mais suave para qualquer mortal.
Dica: alugar uma prancha de paddle surf e explorar a costa a partir do mar.
Está no top das escolhas de todos os cascalenses, que dos dias passados a furar ondas no mar frio guardam as melhores memórias - mesmo que intercaladas com horas ao abrigo de um pára-vento. É assim o Guincho: ventoso mas bonito, agreste mas apetecível; inesquecível em certos dias do ano. Quais? É uma questão de sorte.
PRAIA DO GUINCHO
Dica: sentar-se no Bar do Guincho e comer uma tosta mista com ovo estrelado dentro.
As formações rochosas da maré vazia são um petisco para o Instagram - apelidam-na de ‘little Greece’ - mas não é apenas a estética que a traz a esta lista. As mesmas rochas implicam alguma paciência no acesso e isso traduz-se, claro está, numa praia habitualmente mais vazia que as outras congéneres.
Dica: com amigos beber uma sangria no restaurante; sozinho, esquecer o tempo de livro na mão.
Dica: ficar até ao final do dia para assistir ao pôr-do-sol, que desaparece para os lados de Cascais.
Dica: nas duas esplanadas petisca-se bem e à portuguesa, isto é, caracóis, amêijoas e saladas de polvo.
THE SEA
It is all smooth sailing
from here
Conceição Beach
The first beach along the boardwalk (Paredão) marks the beginning of the Cascalense sidewalk. It owes its name to the chapel by the beach, built in honor of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and is installed next to two iconic rooms that help tell the town’s history: the Chalet Faial, the old town court and Hotel Albatroz, with a terrace where life simply becomes smoother for any mortal.
Tip: rent a paddle board and explore the coast from the sea.
Bafureira Beach
The rock formations of the low tide are Instagram-perfect - they call it ‘little Greece’ - but it’s not just the aesthetic that got it a place in this list. The same rocks require some patience when trying to get to the beach and this translates, of course, in a beach that is usually emptier than others similar.
Poça Beach
In the sea, surf; in the sand, beach tennis; at the boardwalk, skates. In a very summarized way, this is what Poça Beach (Puddle Beach), in São João do Estoril, is all about. The beach is usually occupied by families from the area, whose parents grew up surfing right there in front of them, and their children splashing in the puddles that give it its name.
Tip: stay until the end of the day to watch the sunset, which disappears to the sides of Cascais.
Moitas Beach
It is famous among the youngest, who have always liked to show off their pontoon dives. Also known as ‘Praia da Rata’ (errr…maybe don’t call it that) it is small, somewhat rocky, but perfect for entertaining children at low tide or just to relax while sunbathing. It also has a natural ocean swimming pool, for those who like stiller waters.
Tip: head for one of the two terraces on the boardwalk and indulge on some typical, Portuguese snacks: pregos (steak sandwich), clams and octopus salad.
Guincho Beach
It is at the top of the choices of all residents, who, from the days spent breaking waves in the cold sea, seem to all have the best memories lived at this beach - even if they aren’t filled with a few hours spent under a windshield. That's how Guincho is: windy but beautiful, rough but desirable; unforgettable on certain days of the year. Which? It is a matter of luck.
Tip: sit at Bar do Guincho and eat a ham and cheese melt with fried egg inside.
Tip: with friends, drink a sangria at the restaurant; alone, forget about the concept of time with a book in hand.
©DUARTE DRAGO; MANUEL MANSO
5 beaches to lay in the sun
O MAR
It is all smooth
sailing from here
In 1364, Cascais was elevated to an autonomous town, in 1514 it received the Manueline Foral charter and in the following centuries it has a strategic role in the defense of the country. In 1870, the town fortunes changed when King D. Luís chose it as a summer resort. With him came along the court, responsible for the construction of chalets, palaces, mansions, theaters, hotels. Cascais is the famous ‘Vila da Corte’ (The Courts Town) . In the following decades, Monte Estoril became a center of high finance, and Estoril became the Portuguese Riviera. And the fact that Portugal did not enter World War II attracted, in the 40s and 50s, exiled kings, writers, members of former governments, bankers, making Cascais the stage for parties of the highest European circle, but also of intrigue and espionage. Here are eight fun facts about its curious history.
The Cascais Train Line was the first railway in the country to be electrified in Portugal, in 1926. And while we are at it, Cascais was also the first land in the country to have electricity, on September 28, 1878.
Our very own President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also likes to swim here whenever he can. He chose not to move to the official President’s residence in Belém and continues to live in his home, right in the center of Cascais.
Poet Fernando Pessoa was a great town connoisseur - “I need to go to Cascais more and more”, he wrote to his beloved in 1929. He even applied for the position of conservator at the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, in 1932.
Cascais was the first place where the Portuguese royal family started bathing in the mid-19th century. First the aristocracy followed along, then the rest of the population went for it as well.
Bryan Adams lived in Cascais between 1967 and 1970, from 9 to 12 years old. Which means that his “Summer of 69” was really spent here.
Ian Fleming was inspired by the spy movement, usually staying at the Hotel Palácio Estoril, during the Second World War, to create the famous character James Bond, in his first book, Casino Royale, in 1953.
The first football game between Portuguese teams took place in October 1888, in the Parada field (Sporting Club de Cascais). This first game was played between 28 men and children. Their names are recorded in a small monument that can be found in Jardim da Parada.
In the late afternoon of March 4, 1493, the Ninã caravel, captained by Christopher Columbus, arrived in Cascais Bay after seven months and 12 days of travelling. He came bearing the news of discovering America, on an expedition at the service of the Catholic Kings of Spain.
A collection of kings,
spies and other characters
©VISIT CASCAIS
©SARA FERRAZ
THE HISTORY
spies and other
characters
Join Extremo’s tours
Get ready for a wild ride. Extremo has almost 20 years of services and hundreds of customers who have already experienced quad rides through the hills and mountains of Cascais, the bicycle adventures through unknown terrains, the walks in the village or the buggy or jeep tour rides. Here, there is something for everyone - try it out with family, friends or even go for a team-building exercise, full of adrenaline.
Go “eeny-meeny-miny-moe” at the Museum Quarter
Cascais has a neighborhood with only museums, all very close to each other, which also includes old converted houses, parks and fortresses. They are joined by other venues outside the perimeter, also worth a visit. It is worth getting to know them one by one, of course, but you can start by getting to them in batches of three - equivalent to six visits, as there are 18 spaces in total. Our proposal for your first run? Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, Farol de Santa Marta and Museu da Vila.
Get lost in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
The dimension of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, born from a junction of two large green areas in Cascais and the neighboring municipality, Sintra, is around 14,500 hectares. What we propose is that you visit the Institute for Nature and Forestry Conservation’s website, look for the natural park and discover the various walking routes available. Or, simply go on an adventure and leave pebbles on the floor to find your way back.
Ride a donkey at Quinta do Pisão
Quinta do Pisão comprises a total of 380 hectares in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and is quite a special for kids to visit. Here there are horses, sheep, woolly donkeys and other wild animals such as rabbits or partridges. You can go there to harvest food directly from the land, learn more about the flora of the area, take a walk, ride a bicycle or even a segway. The most important thing is to go.
Quinta do Pisão de Cima, EN 9-1 (near Barragem do Rio da Mula).
Discover Sintra's Parks
Theoretically they are not part of the municipality, but they are so close that we will include them just the same. Like the museums in Cascais, one day will not be enough to meddle in the mysterious cultural facilities of Sintra, but just take your time. From getting lost in the gardens of the Pena Palace and Park, learning the history of the Palácio da Vila or admiring the jaw dropping beauty of the Monserrate Palace?, there is so much to see and learn here.
Practice your balance with Moana
Cascais is one of the greatest surf destinations in the country (or even in the world?). It would therefore be unthinkable not to recommend a few schools to learn the sport. Moana Surf School is one of the biggest schools in the area, with a team of multilingual teachers who work with people of all ages, from those who never got on a board to those who want to perfect their style.
Estrada do Abano, Praia do Guincho. +351 96 444 9436.
Skin your knees in a skate park
It is called Parque das Gerações (Generations Park) due to it always being full of people of all ages. There are about ten thousand square meters of ramps and uneven circuits, divided into several areas, perfect for skating, cycling or other extreme sports. The sea view is just the cherry on top.
Rua António Ferro, São João do Estoril
Practice your swing
Calm down, we are talking about golfing here - one of the sports for which Cascais has always been sought out for and which, in recent decades, has received even more reasons to be considered a destination for golfers everywhere. Cascais belongs to a nucleus called Lisbon Golf Coast, with more than 20 golf courses and already twice winner of the prize for Best Golf Destination in Europe, by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Cascais has a share of responsibility for the prize, with seven beautiful golf courses: Quinta da Marinha Golf Course, Estoril Golf Club, Oitavos Dunes, Penha Longa Golf, Pestana Beloura Golf Resort, Lisbon Sports Club and Belas Clube de Campo.
Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. +351 21 486 6100
©PEDRO BARROS
©PMSL EMIGUS
©TIME OUT
Looking at the sea, strolling on the boardwalk, dipping your toes in the cold Guincho water, feasting on a Santini ice cream, ordering a grilled fish in a traditional restaurant... if we imagine that anyone visiting Cascais brings along a blank passport to stamp local experiences, all of the above would be mandatory - and would turn many of your good friends green with envy. But besides the more conventional programs, there are several others that represent a sort of flip-side to this town, so often overlooked by its very own people. Care to show them up on how to properly experience Cascais? Here are 8 ideas that go beyond the obvious.
THE EXPERIENCE
Climb aboard a sailboat
Sailling in Cascais is one of those experiences that everyone should be able to do once in their life. Dreamboats is one of the companies that organizes tours, from two hours along the coast, to a sunset tour or one just for dolphin watching. If you already have a boat in mind, you can always check the website and choose one of the sailboats or catamarans available.
Cascais Marina. +351 96 888 3037.
©DUARTE DRAGO
Uma colecção de reis,
espiões e outros cromos
6
5 things to do along the boardwalk
Vá mas é passear
The Boardwalk
Go for a walk
Cascais is best enjoyed outdoors, with some sneakers on. There is always places to go for a walk, alongside the sea or the many green spaces in town. Especially these three: the already mentioned Paredão (boardwalk), which connects the center of Cascais to Praia da Azarujinha, in Estoril; the Bike Path (ciclovia), eight kilometers of beautiful scenery, between the Cascais Marina and Guincho Beach; and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, with several hiking trails of various degrees of difficulty. Of course, all these routes are also open to cycling enthusiasts - or cyclotourists. Just pick your favourite - bike or foot? - and discover the best things to do along the Cascais boardwalk.
Enjoy the exercise circuit
Along the nearly 3000 meters of the Paredão there are several workout machines available for free, for different exercises and various levels of strength. From pull-ups to sit-ups, exercising won’t be so bad with such a pleasant view. If cardio is more your thing, just go for a walk or run along the boardwalk.
Snacking at the Baiuka Grill
All that is required from a restaurant by the sea is grilled fish and sea snacks. And the Baiuka Grill clearly got those two right: barnacles, clams, cuttlefish, octopus salads in quantities to fill your heart's desire and with a very cold beer (or two, or three…) on the side. They also make very good grilled fish and, from May to August they serve our favourite little crawlers: snails.
Go for a dive in the sea
Our President does it all year round (and apparently he has never been healthier), so why not follow his lead? The sun keeps the body warm - and the exercise even more - and any of the beaches along the boardwalk is good for a quick swim, all year long. Lacking some courage? Just remember there are countries where people do it during snow days… err.
Watch the sunset
Early birds will know that the sunrise is even more beautiful, but we are going with a more consensual option: watching the sunset, sitting on one of the benches near Praia da Poça. The sun descends beyond the houses that can be seen all the way in town, but creates an orange spectacle due to be appreciated - especially in the colder months.
Try the fish at Bolina
Between the Tamariz and Poça beaches, there is this humble restaurant, with no great luxuries, but great for eating freshly grilled fish. The English menu might sound like a tourist trap, but the locals in attendance are a guarantee that you will be in good company here - and the same goes for what comes to your table.
Rua de Olivença 3. 21 468 7821. Mon-Sun 10.00-23.00
©JOANA FREITAS; MANUEL MANSO; DUARTE DRAGO
Cascais is meant to be lived without hurries; forever in touch with nature (your lungs will thank you); with the ocean a few steps away (and we already know how therapeutic that is); a local sense of community in every neighbourhood; a ever-growing network of different family generations; a never-ending events calender, with festivals, water sports championships and many sport activities; the coolest restaurants and bars… we could be here all day, so maybe you should just try it out for one. One perfect day in Cascais. Enjoy.
Have a perfect day
A run on the Boardwalk (Paredão)
08:00
The best way to start the day, with sneakers on your feet, a cap on your head and eyes on the sea - ups, we mean on the “race track”. With a round trip from one end to the other, those are six kilometers of calories well spent.
With your morning exercise out of the way, allow yourself to indulge in one of the deadly sins in what is the pastry shop with one of the most desirable shop windows (three in fact) in the area. Brioches, croissants or Portuguese pastries, all for the picking.
09:00
Breakfast at Garrett
Every day is a good day to visit the main town’s market, where fresh stalls have been joined in recent years by cafes and restaurants, as well as other food stalls. On Wednesdays there is also a traditional fair, and on Saturdays one just for fresh produce.
10:00
Mercado da Vila (Town’s Market)
If you can only visit one museum in town, let it be this: that of one of the greatest Portuguese painters ever. With temporary exhibitions and a permanent collection, the magnificence begins in the building itself, designed by Souto de Moura.
11:30
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
It should be illegal to spend 24 hours in Cascais and not taste the seafood from one of the best restaurants in the area. Make sure to order the famous Bruxas de Cascais, along with a plate of clams and another of barnacles.
13:00
Mar do Inferno (Hell’s Sea)
Leave the map aside and walk through the historic streets of Cascais, lined with Portuguese pavement, very typical Portuguese houses and some traditional commerce. Stop at Rua da Saudade and look for the most beautiful semi-hidden viewpoint in town.
15:00
Historic centre
Once a military fortress and even the official residence of Kings and Queens, the Cascais Citadel is today a small cultural center with galleries, restaurants, a hotel and the beautiful Museum of the Presidency of the Republic.
17:00
Cascais Citadel (Cidadela)
Even if for a quick stop, it is worth visiting this park for: 1) greeting the ducks and turtles on the lake; 2) going up to the monument best known among the locals as ‘The Snail'; 3) enjoying the fauna; 4) seeing (even if from outside) the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum.
18:30
One of the most charming hotels in Cascais, it has an incredible bar on top of the rocks - conveniently called On The Rocks -, the right place for a drink at the end of the day.
19:30
Farol Design Hotel
A group of good restaurants took to the street and never left it. There are three streets closed to traffic, with outside terraces, where you can find good restaurants such as La Contessa, Taberna Clandestina or Polvo Vadio.
21:00
Bairro Amarelo (The Yellow Neighbourhood)
O BOM AMBIENTE
Tenha um dia
perfeito
Mar do Inferno
Fortaleza do Guincho
Hífen
Confraria
Vela Azul
Hidden in the middle of a residential area, only those who know it will visit. Or rather, those who really want to eat fresh fish, without spending too much. The fish is handpicked by Dona Fernanda's son-in-law, who commands the troops, in the kitchen is Sandra, one of the daughters, and in the sitting room, Joana, her other daughter. There is grilled fish, cold salads, homemade desserts and some excellent grouper fillets with tomato rice.
Travessa Conde Castro Guimarães, Lote 2, Cascais. +351 21 483 4932. Tue-Sat 12.00-15.00/ 19.30-22.00
It is one of the oldest Japanese restaurants in Cascais, with a coveted romantic terrace. The kitchen has some fusion touches alongside traditional dishes and some of the best salads in town (inherited from an old French cafe that used to exist there). You can choose a mix or just go for us and order the hot philadelphia, niguiri skin or the gaíjín spice.
Rua Luís Xavier Palmeirim 14, Cascais. +351 21 483 4614. Mon-Sun 12.00-00.00
We couldn’t have asked for a more idyllic location, right above the Cascais Bay, and the concept couldn't be more appealing: a bar-restaurant where food is to be shared. There are community tables for groups (or not), a cocktail menu, delicious food to share (or not) and a lot of inspiration from Portuguese traditional food that led to some original gastronomic transformations.
Avenida Dom Carlos I 48 r/c, Cascais. +351 91 554 6537. Mon-Sun 12.30-00.00 (Sex e Sáb até às 02.00)
Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho - Estrada do Guincho. +351 21 487 0491. Mon-Sun 12.30-15.00/19.30-22.30
Anyone looking for good fish and seafood in Cascais knows this is the door to knock on. The one to open it will be Lourdes Tirano - just “Lourdes” for regular customers - or any of her family members who, with a smile on their face, will guide you through the various specialties on the menu. Go go for a sea platter, with sea bass, sea bream, prawns, mussels and side dishes.
Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália, Boca do Inferno, Cascais. +351 21 483 2218. Thu-Tue 12.30-22.30
Fish and seafood - or else we wouldn’t be in the land of fishermen -, some author cuisine (with a Michelin star to prove it), world dishes and the celebration of the art of snacking. The list of good restaurants in Cascais is extensive, in a land that has always been known for great food and equally great service. From the mythical restaurants of Estrada do Guincho to the modern spaces that have been opening in the town centre, it is almost unfair to make a short selection. But if you can only visit seven, go for these.
THE FOOD
Bon appétit!
Estoril Mandarim
Housed in a luxury hotel, in an incredible room overlooking the sea, Fortaleza do Guincho has had a Michelin star for several years. In 2020, the space wanted to detach itself from the idea of being accessible only to a restricted audience and launched a less formal concept, without ever giving up its trait quality: Spot. It is in this new terrace area that Gil Fernandes, the restaurant's chef since 2018, presents an eclectic menu, with food to share, ideal for a long day contemplating the views of Guincho's raging sea.
It is one of the most well-known fine dining Chinese restaurant in Greater Lisbon and, truth be told, also the best. The menu is a set of more classic Chinese dishes, such as the swallow's nest soup with sweet corn or the Beijing duck, which comes to the table in two moments (first the skin, then the meat), to some Cantonese specialties. and, of course, dim sums - there are dozens, all excellent.
Casino Estoril - Praça Teodoro dos Santos, Estoril. +351 21 466 7270. Wed-Sun 12.00-15.00 / 19.00-23.00
If what you are looking for is a restaurant where you can celebrate the Portuguese way of snacking, then this is the place to be. A riot of employees walks between the interior rooms and the terrace, laden with platters of potato skins, padron peppers, scrambled eggs with asparagus, sausage croquettes, pregos, steaks, and so much more. There is nothing more Portuguese than this. The years go by and this place never goes out of style.
Travessa das Amoreiras 5, Cascais. +351 21 482 0036. Mon-Sun 12.00-23.30
FORTALEZA DO GUINCHO
CONFRARIA
VELA AZUL
ESTORIL MANDARIM
Páteo do Petisco
Eduardo das Conquilhas
Snails, stuffed crab, barnacles and beer. There is a bit of everything in this typical restaurant with 55 years of history, always at the hands of Mr. Eduardo. With vivariums for more than a ton (literally) of live fish, the seafood here will always come to your table very - very! - fresh. At the weekends it tends to be quite full, but now you can also order food delivered to your door. This is if you are one of the lucky people staying somewhere between Cascais and Oeiras.
Rua Capitão Leitão 118-A, Parede. +351 21 457 3303. Tue-Sun 12.00-22.30
©ANA LUZIA; DR; MANUEL MANSO; ARLINDO CAMACHO
Housed in a luxury hotel, in an incredible room overlooking the sea, Fortaleza do Guincho has had a Michelin star for several years. In 2020, the space wanted to detach itself from the idea of being accessible only to a restricted audience and launched a less formal concept, without ever giving up its trait quality: Spot. It is in this new terrace area that Gil Fernandes, the restaurant's chef since 2018, presents an eclectic menu, with food to share, ideal for a long day contemplating the views of Guincho's raging sea.
Hotel Fortaleza do Guincho - Estrada do Guincho. +351 21 487 0491. Mon-Sun 12.30-15.00 / 19.30-22.30
Avenida Dom Carlos I 48 r/c, Cascais. +351 91 554 6537. Mon-Sun 12.30-00.00 (Fri & Sat until 02.00)
Avenida Dom Carlos I 48 r/c, Cascais. +351 91 554 6537. Seg-Dom 12.30-00.00 (Fri & Sat until 02.00)
Snails, stuffed crab, barnacles and beer. There is a bit of everything in this typical restaurante with 55 years of history, always at the hands of Mr. Eduardo. With vivariums for more than a ton (literally) of live fish, the seafood here will always come to your table very - very! - fresh. At the weekends it tends to be quite full, but now you can also order food delivered to your door. This is if you are one of the lucky people staying somewhere between Cascais and Oeiras.
Filled with history or with a modern appeal, perfect for families or for a romantic getaway, hotels in Cascais allow for different experiences and desires to be granted. The area has always been known for excellence in hospitality and, in recent years, the offer has diversified to reach all ages. Looking for a five star for a festive date? Check; looking for a refuge in the middle of nature? Double check; An entire home for friends and family? You know it. A surf retreat? Well, of course. Below, you will find half a dozen proposals out of dozens of possibilities.
SLEEP
When in heaven, sleep like an angel
Martinhal Cascais Family Hotel
Tudo começa pela vista: verde que nunca mais acaba, ou não estivéssemos mesmo no meio do campo de golfe da Quinta da Marinha. Depois de Sagres e de Lisboa, o grupo Martinhal assentou arraiais perto do Guincho, a pensar em quem vai para Cascais com os miúdos a reboque. O hotel é children friendly, com actividades para os mais novos se entreterem enquanto os pais relaxam no spa, apanham sol na piscina ou namoram na cama super-king size.
Rua do Clube, 2, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. 21 114 9900
Hotel Palácio do Estoril
Aqui viaja-se até ao glorioso passado da Linha de Cascais. Visitado ao longo dos 90 anos por famílias reais europeias, por aristocratas e centenas de artistas, soube evoluir com charme até aos dias de hoje. Do piano com cauda ao pequeno-almoço de luxo, dos mergulhos na piscina à beleza dos jardins, é um sítio de luxo e para aproveitar com tempo. Mais: foi aqui que Ian Fleming se inspirou para criar o mítico James Bond.
Rua Particular, Estoril. 21 464 8000
Sea Ya - Family Surf Houses
Esta é a história de um casal com filhos pequenos que decidiu oferecer na terra onde vive - Cascais - aquilo que nem sempre encontrava quando viajava o mundo de miúdos às costas: uma moradia na Charneca, com três casas independentes (T0 a T2), a 15 minutos a pé do Guincho, equipadas com tudo (mesmo tudo) o que precisa uma família de férias. E ainda decoradas com pinta.
A mansão que no século XIX pertencia ao Conde de Cabral é hoje um hotel de luxo em cima do Atlântico. Tem uma das mais belas piscinas da Linha, além de uma esplanada agradável para beber um copo ao fim do dia e um bom restaurante de sushi. Ao edifício clássico foi acrescentado um módulo moderno, e entre os quartos, há quatro especiais, decorados por diferentes designers de moda: Ana Salazar, Augustus, Fátima Lopes e João Rôlo.
Av. Rei Humberto de Itália, 7, Cascais. 21 482 3490
Dream Guincho
É uma obra magnífica que não espera encontrar na Malveira da Serra: um complexo de casas de madeira nórdicas, altas e escuras que escondem um edifício único enorme, com um pé direito altíssimo e oito quartos temáticos identificados por grandes clássicos da literatura. É um hotel literário? Não oficialmente, mas só para ter uma ideia, há livros espalhados por todo o lado, até nas escadas que levam aos quartos.
Rua Alto do Arneiro, Alcabideche. 93 555 4343
The Oitavos
Rua de Oitavos, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. 21 486 0020
Quase invisível a partir da estrada do Guincho, o The Oitavos é um gigante com mais de uma centena de quartos, onde a decoração minimalista em tons de azul – o mesmo azul do mar que se vê para lá das dunas, para onde quer que se olhe – é apenas interrompida pelas enormes jarras de flores e pelos quadros de José Anahory, o arquiteto responsável pelo edifício em forma de Y. Se a piscina exterior é um belo chamariz em dias de sol, a interior, aquecida, é perfeita para os dias ventosos característicos da zona.
Rua da Palmeira, 17, Cascais. 96 138 1833
Almost invisible from the Guincho road, The Oitavos is a giant with more than a hundred rooms, where the minimalist decor in shades of blue - the same blue of the sea that can be seen beyond the dunes, wherever you look - is only interrupted by the huge jars of flowers and paintings by José Anahory, the architect responsible for the Y-shaped building. If the outdoor pool is a beautiful attraction on days in the sun, the indoor one, heated, is perfect for the windy ones.
Rua de Oitavos, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. +351 21 486 0020
It is a magnificent work that you do not expect to find in Malveira da Serra: a complex of tall, dark, Nordic, wooden houses that hide a huge single building, with a very high ceiling and eight themed rooms identified by great classics of literature. Is it a literary hotel? Not officially, but just to give you an idea, there are books scattered everywhere, even on the stairs that lead to the rooms.
Rua do Moleiro 65, Alcabideche +351 21 483 4932. Tue-Sat 12.00-15.00 / 19.30-22.00
The mansion that belonged to the Count of Cabral in the 19th century is now a luxury hotel above the Atlantic. It has one of the most beautiful swimming pools in Cascais, as well as a pleasant terrace for a drink at the end of the day and a good sushi restaurant. A modern module was added to the classic building, and among the rooms, there are four decorated by different fashion designers: Ana Salazar, Augustus, Fátima Lopes and João Rôlo.
Av. Rei Humberto de Itália, 7, Cascais. +351 21 482 3490
This is the story of a couple with small children who decided to offer in the land where they live - Cascais - what they did not always find when traveling the world with their kids on their backs: a villa in Charneca, with three independent houses (from lofts to double bedroom stays), a 15 minutes walk from Guincho, equipped with everything (really, everything) a family vacation needs. And still the decor is spot on.
Rua da Palmeira, 17, Cascais. +351 96 138 1833
Get ready to travel to a more glorious time. Visited for over 90 years by European royal families, aristocrats and hundreds of artists, it has kept its charm until today. From the grand piano to the luxurious breakfast, from dives in the pool to the beauty of the gardens, it is a place of luxury to be enjoyed with no hast. Plus, this is where Ian Fleming was inspired to create the mythical James Bond character.
Rua Particular, Estoril. +351 21 464 8000
It all starts with the view: green that never ends, were we not even in the middle of the Quinta da Marinha golf course. After Sagres and Lisbon, the Martinhal group set up camp near Guincho, with those who visit Cascais with the kids in mind. The hotel is kid friendly, with activities for kids to be entertained for hous while parents relax in the spa, sunbathe by the pool or enjoy some alone time in the super king size bed.
Rua do Clube, 2, Quinta da Marinha, Cascais. +351 21 114 9900
©DR; ARLINDO CAMACHO; INÊS FÉLIX
©INÊS FÉLIX
When in heaven,
sleep like an angel
Get ready to travel to a more glorious time. Visited for over 90 years by European royal families, aristocrats and hundreds of artists, it has kept its charm until today. From the grand piano to the luxurious breakfast, from dives in the pool to the beauty of the gardens, it is a place of luxury to be enjoyed with no hast. Plsu, this is where Ian Fleming was inspired to create the mythical James Bond character.
Rua do Moleiro 65, Alcabideche +351 93 555 4343
THE OITAVOS
“If I could escape…”
In Cascais, you can see the sea, take a stroll on the boardwalk, or eat the freshest grilled fish - we know, you have everything you need right there. But what if we told you to still have a look outside and explore what's around you? If you want to breathe the cosmopolitan air of the city, Lisbon is a short half hour drive away; Ericeira, with its perfect beaches for surfing, takes no more than an hour to get there; and if you don't want to go that far, Sintra and its natural charms are just next door. Want help planning your trip? Start taking notes.
Ericeira
And since it is so close, before returning to Cascais, make the detour to the town of Mafra. Be sure to visit the Mafra National Palace, one of the most important Baroque architectural ensembles in the country. If you want to be in contact with nature, venture into Tapada de Mafra, an area of forest rich in biodiversity where, once upon a time, the royal family hunted. You can also travel to a different world with a visit to the Aldeia-Museu José Franco, a kind of miniature village with typical crafts from other times - a true delight for kids.
Mafra
Mandatory stop: Time Out Market. It is here that you will find the best of Lisbon under the same roof - be it the most traditional cuisine, the most daring and with a chef's touch, or the most trendy stores. And if you're not convinced, take a little jump to the traditional market (Mercado da Ribeira), right next door, where you will find some of the freshest products. The city is full of ups and downs, we know that, but take a walk and climb up to Castelo de São Jorge or stay by the riverside area and stroll between Cais do Sodré and the renewed area of Santa Apolónia. Lisbon is beautiful.
Lisboa
From Cascais to Sintra, the journey takes about 20 minutes. So close and so different, is what we can tell you about these almost neighboring towns. Sintra has its charms and here we leave you with just a few suggestions. Now take note: it is never too much to visit the Pena National Palace and contemplate the view it has under the mountains; getting lost in the center of the village looking for the best travesseiros - will it be the ones from Piriquita or Casa do Preto? And, as food is all we think about, on your way back stop by Casa Davolta restaurant, in Cascais. The Time Out critics gave it five stars.
Sintra
If the hustle and bustle of the city is growing tired, cross the bridge and get to know the other bank - or go for the experience of crossing the river in one of the ferries, in a quick seven-minute route. If you want to stay in Cacilhas, right on the edge of the river terminal, there are traditional restaurants with fresh grilled fish and others for snacking, anda few more modern ones, such as Boteco 47. Next to it you will find the Cais do Ginjal, perfect for after a full lunch and for contemplating the views. For a romantic getaway, you can always wait for sunset at Atira-te ao Rio. Make sure to try the beaches of Costa de Caparica to relax and, on your way back to Cascais, take the opportunity to cross off the list of places to visit the giant with open arms to the capital, with a trip to Cristo Rei.
Almada
©MANUEL MANSO/TIME OUT
©DUARTE DRAGO/TIME OUT
©ARLINDO CAMACHO/TIME OUT
©GABRIELL VIEIRA/TIME OUT
The Cascalenses and the Jagozes have one thing in common: they are people of the sea. At about a 50-minute drive from Cascais, this fishing village is great for a weekend getaway or just a short visit, with the sea on the backdrop. The water is fresh and the waves sought by surfers everywhere, but if you want to stay on land there is plenty to explore on foot as well- from Foz do Lizandro, in the south, to Calada beach, in the north. The local food is another great selling point. Mar das Latas, right in the center of the village, is a modern restaurant that deserves a visit. After a day well spent, if you don't want to go back just yet, make You and the Sea your home, a four-star aparthotel with a sea view.
Vá, mas volte
E já que está tão perto, antes de regressar a Cascais, faça o desvio até à vila de Mafra. Não deixe de visitar o Palácio Nacional de Mafra, um dos conjuntos arquitectónicos barrocos de maior importância no país. Se quiser estar em contacto com a natureza, aventure-se na Tapada de Mafra, uma zona de floresta rica em biodiversidade onde, em tempos, a família real caçou. Pode também viajar ao mundo de outros tempos com uma visita à Aldeia-Museu José Franco, uma espécie de aldeia miniatura com ofícios típicos de outros tempos, que faz as delícias dos mais pequenos.
Paragem obrigatória: Time Out Market. É aqui que encontra o melhor de Lisboa debaixo do mesmo tecto – seja a cozinha mais tradicional, a mais arrojada e com dedo de chef, ou as lojas mais trendy. E se não estiver convencido, dê um saltinho ao mercado tradicional (Mercado da Ribeira), mesmo ao lado, onde encontra alguns dos produtos mais frescos. A cidade é aos altos e baixos, bem sabemos, mas dê ao pé e suba até ao Castelo de São Jorge ou fique-se pela zona ribeirinha e passeie entre o Cais do Sodré e a renovada zona de Santa Apolónia. Lisboa é linda.
De Cascais a Sintra, o trajecto faz-se em cerca de 20 minutos. Tão perto e tão diferente, é o que podemos dizer-lhe sobre estas vilas quase vizinhas. Sintra tem os seus encantos e nós aqui deixamos-lhe apenas algumas sugestões. Ora tome nota: nunca é demais visitar o Palácio Nacional da Pena e contemplar a vista que tem sob a serra; perder-se no centro da vila à procura dos melhores travesseiros – será que são os da Piriquita ou os da Casa do Preto? E como a gastronomia faz parte de nós, quando estiver de regresso, passe pelo restaurante Casa Davolta, já em Cascais. O crítico da Time Out deu-lhe cinco estrelas.
Se o buliço da cidade já cansa, cruze a ponte e conheça a outra margem ou então opte pela experiência de atravessar o Tejo num dos cacilheiros que asseguram a rota, num percurso rapidinho de sete minutos. Se se quiser ficar por Cacilhas, logo à beira do terminal fluvial, tem restaurantes tradicionais de peixe fresco na brasa e outros para petiscar e mais moderninhos, como o Boteco 47. Ali ao lado encontra o Cais do Ginjal, perfeito para desmoer o almoço e contemplar as vistas para Lisboa. Para um q.b de romantismo pode sempre ficar para o pôr-do-sol no Atira-te ao Rio. Com tempo, vá até às praias da Costa de Caparica relaxar e, no regresso a Cascais, aproveite para riscar da lista de sítios a visitar o gigante de braços abertos para a capital, numa ida ao Cristo Rei.
