Why you should visit Cascais on Portugal's Estoril coast
Around 30 minutes from Lisbon, the dazzling capital city of Portugal*, easy-going Cascais is a brightly painted beach town crowning the Estoril coast*.
This stretch, sometimes called the Portuguese Riviera, has bestowed Cascais with a delightful microclimate, making it a dreamy paradise for travellers most of the year.
Getting to Cascais: book your great value break with easyJet holidays* today.
Captivating Cascais
Cascais is no stranger to holidaymakers. Its desirability as a destination was firmly established in 1870 when King Luis I made the citadel his official summer residence.
From then, its sweeping beaches have become known for their water sports activities, while wilder beaches and magnificent cliff formations attract photographers and artists.
Beyond this, its serene park gives way to seafront restaurants and a bustling town centre where a close-knit community thrives. Whatever your reason for coming here, Cascais* has something for everyone.
Discover the old town
Cascais is home to a historic town centre overlooking a harbour brimming with brightly painted fishing boats and thundering waves.
In the main square, the coastal theme is continued with blue and white wave-patterned tiles, backed by the historic town hall and a statue of King Pedro I, crowned and centre stage for all to remember his reign.
Narrow cobbled streets lead to the Old Town, with many pedestrianised and lined with boutique shops, restaurants and cafés.
The main street of Rua Frederico Arouca sees the wave-patterned pavement and laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere continue, mixed with local musicians and fishermen bringing home their catch of the day.
Hit the beach
The beaches in Cascais are unavoidable; you'll see them everywhere you go. Their variety, from sweeping stretches to tiny hidden coves, will excite a sunbathing session or an explorer's wish to see more.
Praia de Conceição and Praia da Duquesa stand out for their beauty, offering powdery sand, beach bars and sun loungers for rest and relaxation.
Secluded Praia da Rainha, once Queen Amélia's private beach, is surrounded by rocky outcrops, while Praia da Ribeira, the town's central beach, overlooks the harbour and fort, also known as Fishermen's Beach.
Explore the museum quarter
Proving the town is more than just a beach destination is Cascais's excellent Museum Quarter. Highlights include the Condes de Castro Guimarães, a Gothic Revival castle turned museum with a vast art collection, fairy-tale and Moorish-style architecture, Portuguese furniture, over 25,000 books, an illuminated 16th-century manuscript and more.
Casa de Santa Maria is one of the best examples of a typical Portuguese house. It showcases elaborate blue-and-white tile panels from the old convent in Lisbon and a sea-facing garden.
Also notable are the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, which displays works by one of Portugal's most celebrated artists, Paula Rego, and the Farol Museu de Santa Marta. The latter is a lighthouse from 1868 that showcases the equipment and tools that make it work.
Visit historic palaces
While Casa de Santa Maria and Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães are stunning palaces, the top spot is the Citadel of Cascais. Built in the mid-1500s above the marina, it was first a fortress but later became the Royal Palace of Cascais and is now used by the president.
You'll find exquisite rooms like the Dining Room with its gorgeous wooden ceiling and the Arabian Room, built for King Luís and Queen Maria Pia. The ceiling here was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
Try a new sport
With its stunning coastline, Cascais is a hub for water sports. Calm waters at Praia de Conceição and Praia da Duquesa are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, while other beaches are ideal for surfing the Atlantic waves, hosting national and international competitions each year.
Though it can get windy, this is a plus for adventurers, especially at Guincho Beach, which provides ideal conditions for kitesurfing. For a more relaxed experience, local companies offer boat tours along the coast, with some specialising in dolphin spotting.
Amble around the park
For a peaceful stroll or quiet reflection, visit Parque Marechal Carmona. Created in the 1940s, this green oasis features immaculate lawns perfect for picnics, surrounded by herbaceous and shrub beds.
The park's woodland, with large birch, pine, and palm trees, offers shady paths and a serene retreat from seaside crowds. Within its grounds is a café overlooking a duck-filled lake, adding to the park's tranquillity. You'll also see yoga sessions set among the trees, which you can try.
Visit rock formations
One of Cascais's most striking sights is the magnificent cliff formations known as Boca do Inferno, which translates to the Mouth of Hell.
This sea arch was formed from eroded limestone cliffs battered by the mighty Atlantic Ocean and acidic rainwater, leaving a dramatic chasm behind a collapsed sea cave. The Atlantic waves crash against it, sending water erupting upward like a volcano, giving the site its ominous name.
Stretch your legs
Cascais offers many walking trails; a great one starts from the town centre and continues to the Boca do Inferno. Or take a scenic two-mile promenade from Cascais to Estoril, starting on the Praia de Conceição and ending at Praia da Azarujinha in Estoril. You'll pass beaches, rocky outcrops, and historic 19th-century mansions along the way.
For more challenging hikes, explore the Sintra Mountains, where forest paths and tree-lined avenues give way to mountaintop ruins and eerie megalithic monuments. A quick search will help you find the perfect route.
Sample local cuisine
From renowned ice cream to fresh local fish, Cascais offers tempting food at every turn. You must try the pastel de nata, a traditional Portuguese egg tart with hints of lemon. Many bakeries serve these with fresh orange juice or other cooling drinks.
Almost every restaurant showcases traditional cuisine, with highlights like steak sandwiches, often enjoyed as a dessert, and grilled octopus with white wine, garlic and potatoes.
Day trips to Lisbon & Sintra
Staying in Cascais offers excellent opportunities for day trips to Lisbon and Sintra. Lisbon*, a short train ride away, is a cosmopolitan capital city with historic lanes, the iconic yellow tram 28, striking tiled façades and some of the country's best seafront restaurants.
Key sights include the architecturally stunning Belém Tower and the Castelo de São Jorge, with panoramic views.
Meanwhile, Sintra, also reachable by car, bus, or train, is a mist-soaked town in the Serra de Sintra hills. A UNESCO Cultural Landscape, Sintra features a tapestry of colourful fairy-tale palaces with spires rising higher than treetops, castle ruins almost reclaimed by Mother Nature and lush forests.
Highlights include the vibrant Pena Palace, the historic National Palace of Sintra and the mystical Quinta da Regaleira, with its enchanting gardens.
Climate in Cascais
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  14 |
 15 |
17 |
 18 |
21 |
 24 |
 26 |
27 |
26 |
 22 |
17 |
15 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  15 |
14 |
13 |
 12 |
 9 |
 5 |
 2 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
13 |
14 |
| Sea temperature °C |  15 |
14 |
15 |
15 |
 16 |
17 |
 18 |
19 |
19 |
18 |
17 |
16 |
The above guide shows the climate in Cascais. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Portugal.
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