Another fantastic day trip from Lisbon is to the seaside town of Cascais. If you love golden beaches and that chilled coastal vibe, this one is for you. There is more to see here than just beaches though. The town is one of the most expensive compared to anywhere on the Iberian peninsula and the architecture, shops and restaurants reflect this. Think of it as a Portuguese equivalent to Monaco, only quieter and quainter.
If you want to plan your day trip to Cascais from Lisbon, then this post is for you. Enjoy!
A Day Trip to Cascais from Lisbon | Your Quick Guide
Getting from Lisbon to Cascais
Cascais is an easy day trip from Lisbon and the transport here is straight forward. From the Cais do Sodré Station in Lisbon, take the direct train to the town. These run regularly and will be clearly marked.
The train journey is, I should say, absolutely gorgeous. The tracks run along the coast and you’ll be treated to amazing views of the sea and beaches. Your journey will take around 40 minutes from Cais do Sodré and will cost €2.30 for a single.
Top Tip: there is also a 24 hour ticket option for €6.00. If you are planning just a straight forward day trip to Cascais, it doesn’t make much sense to do this. However, you can also use this to explore the surrounding beaches which are covered as part of the 24 hour pass. You can also load this on to the Navigante Pass if you fancy an electronic version.
What to do on your day trip to Cascais
Wander the Historic Centre
The main centre of Cascais is absolutely stunning. I’ve always loved the tiled streets of Portugal and Cascais does this really well. If anything, I think that they beat the ones in Lisbon!
It isn’t just the tiles to see here, oh no. The Old Town has plenty of colourful buildings and cute little shops rippling through it. It is quite vast and I would definitely recommend checking out a map of the area before you go.
What I love about Cascais – to be fair, Europe in general – is that there are so many independent shops and cafés about. Many of these are fantastic and you’ll find everything you could need in the centre of the town.
Top Tip: If you are in the mood for Italian Gelato (and why wouldn’t you?), check out Santini Ice Cream. They have a vast range of flavours and it tastes fantastic.
Stroll along the Beaches
Without a doubt, the beaches are the biggest magnet for people arriving in Cascais. The town is famous for their golden beaches, especially given how close they are to Lisbon.
You can choose which beaches to visit based upon what you and your family are after. Here are some of my favourites:
Praia de Rainha
This is small – but reasonably crowded – beach in the town centre. It is beautifully framed, being surrounded by rocky outcrops, and looks straight out of a post card. It is also perfect for children as the waters are calm. However, it is very popular with tourists and the location of the town centre will be off-putting for different people.
Praia do Guincho
I really like this beach – it is wild and windswept, but really highlights the natural beauty of Cascais. It is really popular with people who enjoy watersports; the waves here are large. You also have some incredible restaurants, drawing in recent appearances from Hollywood A-listers. The main issues though are that you can’t really swim here, so it might not be that great for young families. That being said, a stroll along this beach is certainly worth doing for the scenery, even if you don’t fancy getting wet.
Praia de Santa Marta
You’ll find this beach in the Santa Maria district, near the old Santa Maria lighthouse (perfect for a photograph!). I love how this particular beach looks; it is perfect for photographs. The waters are really clear and calm, making it perfect for swimming too. There isn’t really a beach here though, and to access the water you’ll need to navigate the rocks.
Other Key Attractions
Cascais wasn’t always a major tourist hub. In fact, it began life as a small fishing village on the outskirts of Lisbon. Whilst the town has plenty of shops and restaurants to attract plenty of tourists each year, I think that there are some sites you just need to visit whilst you are here.
Walk down the Promenade
Should you fancy a lovely morning walk, then I would recommend a walk down the main promenade to the neighbouring town of Estoril. Whilst you might read that and think it is a long way, the walk should take no more than half an hour and you’ll get some amazing views.
The promenade will also pass by plenty of cafés and shops for you to stop at to recharge. You’ll also wander past Casino Estoril, which inspired Fleming’s Casino Royale. It looks a little dilapidated nowadays, but it is still cool to see!
Estoril itself doesn’t have lots going for it and I’d recommend turning back around once you have made it. Trust me though – the walk is worth it!
Boca do Inferno
Near the centre is a dramatic rock formation called the Boca do Inferno – which translates as the Mouth of Hell. As you would expect, the waves crashing here are dramatic and certainly make for one of the main attractions here. You can visit here any time of the day, but my recommendation would be to visit at sunset.
Museums – Including the Parque Marechal Carmona
Cascais also has a rich history and culture, and the museums tell the story of this town. The Maritime Museum is a great one to see, especially given the rich fishing heritage of the town. For art lovers, the Paula Rego House of Stories is an incredible museum dedicated to this famous Portuguese artist.
Another option is to explore the Cascais Citadel Palace, which is an old Royal Residence. It has lots of stories inside of it, including about the Kings of Portugal who frequently visited.
If museums aren’t your thing, then why not check out the Parque Marechal Carmona? It is attached to the Castro Guimarães Museum (an archeological museum), but it is perfect for relaxing in. On hot days you can escape the heat underneath the trees and it is a prime location to take a colourful photograph.
Cabo de Roca
Did you know that the Western-most point in Europe is just a stone-throw away? On your day trip to Cascais from Lisbon, I would certainly recommend catching the bus to Cabo de Roca.
As a forewarning, there really isn’t much to see here. In fact, it has even less to see / do than John O’Groats or Land’s End in the UK. You just have the odd touristy shop. It is also a 35 minute bus ride to the point (take the 1624 from Terminal Rodoviário de Cascais), so this may not be for everyone.
Whilst there isn’t loads to see here, there is always something magical about rugged cliffs and white water. The area is super wild and untamed and perfect for exploring. Plus, who wouldn’t want to say that they have been as far West as possible in Europe?
Where and what to Eat in Cascais
Given its ties with the rich and famous, you’d expect Cascais to offer some incredible foodie choices. And you’d be absolutely right!
Of course, the fresh seafood is the star of the show. Mar do Inferno is arguably the most famous and serves some incredible, authentic dishes right in the heart of the town. We really enjoyed our meal here and I would certainly recommend to anyone. Another good option is Marisco na Praça or, for something a little quirky, try A Nova Estrela (seriously, it is good!). You’ll also find a healthy selection of tasty restaurants in the Old Town.
For snacks to tide you over, of course the pastel de nata (custard tart) would be a good go to. There are plenty of options of where to pick these up, but locals and tourists all seem to suggest a place called Sacolinha. Other sweet treats are less ambiguous and you’ll see them almost anywhere in Cascais. You have the Areias de Cascais (translating to ‘sand of Cascais’) and the Nozes de Cascais (translating to ‘nuts of Cascais’). Both have their own unique taste and are worth trying whilst you are here.
Final Thoughts | Day Trip to Cascais from Lisbon
I hope that you found my quick guide on a day trip to Cascais from Lisbon helpful. If you are staying in the Portuguese capital though, check out my ultimate guide of what to do in Lisbon. It covers everything you need to know before your next adventure here.
