Cascais is the old fishing town turned resort at the western end of the Lisbon coast railway, about 40 minutes from the city. It is compact, walkable and made for a half-day of beaches, harbour and old streets.
The town
A pedestrian centre of painted houses, the fishing harbour still in use next to the marina, the Cidadela fort, and the Casa das Histórias — a museum for the painter Paula Rego in a striking red building. The town beaches are small and sheltered, right in the centre.
Along the coast
West of town, the sea has cut a chasm in the rock called the Boca do Inferno; a promenade runs on toward Guincho. East, a flat seafront path leads all the way to Estoril, past the small beaches and the gardens.
Good to know
- The train from Cais do Sodré runs along the water and is the easy way in
- From our side: ferry to Cais do Sodré, then that train — about an hour door to door
- Bikes can be hired cheaply near the station for the Guincho path
- Busy in summer; the town beaches are tiny and fill fast