Cascais

Understand

Cascais (kush-KIGHSH, /kɐʃ.ˈkajʃ/) is dominated by the bay and the imposing Cidadela fort, and the historic centre is brimming with architectural treasures of a religious, military and civil nature. Likewise, the museums of the Sea, Casa das Histórias de Paula Rego, and the Municipal Museum Condes de Castro Guimarães are also must-see attractions.

Getting there

Cascais is easily reachable from Lisbon by car or by train (40 min), from the Cais do Sodré station. A return ticket costs €5 (June 2018) and can be bought from the automatic ticket machines. Keep the ticket as it will be checked and punched by the conductor in both directions. Each ticket is only valid for one person at a time and costs €0.50 to buy and can be reused until a set date of expiration. Carris operate a bus between Cais do Sodre and Lisbon Airport every 20 min. A car ride between Lisbon International Airport and Cascais can range between 30 minutes and 1 hr 15 min (during rush hours). Cascais, once a fishermen's harbour, is a nice and sophisticated town and also a great gateway to explore the beautiful gold sand beach of Guincho.

By plane 1 Aeródromo Municipal de Cascais (Cascais Municipal Aerodrome, CAT IATA), Avenida Amália Rodrigues, Tires, ☏ +351 21 445 7300. Air service to Cascais is provided by Sevenair from Bragança (BGC IATA), Portimão (PRM IATA), Vila Real (VRL IATA), and Viseu (VSE IATA). (updated May 2021)

Getting around

The town is small enough to explore entirely by foot. To get a feeling for the life it's best to stroll around on foot. Uphill, beyond the town centre there are numerous narrow cobbled streets to explore with interesting architecture, plants and animals to see.

By bicycle Riding a bicycle in Cascais is one of the "must do" things. Keen cyclists with their own bikes and like hills can venture towards Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe's mainland and even to Sintra using the nice roads while crossing the heart of this incredible nature reserve so close to the capital city of Lisbon. However, these are not trips to be taken with bikes rented in Cascais. For those with more limited cycling abilities and stamina, a popular trip is to follow the coastline through the town of Cascais as far as Guincho beach, about 10 km. There is a cycle track (shared with pedestrians!) that begins after you have passed the marina. In the summer, the northwesterly winds can make the last 3 km of this trip a bit tough but, in compensation, you will have a tail wind all the way back to Cascais. Basic bicycles are available to rent for free (providing you have ID and your accommodation address) through the municipal council's BiCas scheme. Bicycles are available from several locations around the town. The tourist office will have further information. This bikes are heavily (mis)used by locals, students, and budget minded visitors and often are not available when needed, when available most times not always in the best safety and enjoyable conditions thus the common breakdowns. Colourful bikes can be rented in the forecourt of Cascais station and the Europcar car rental company also has some. Companies operating from Lisbon include Bike Iberia (+351 96 242 3455) in Lisbon Downtown off the train station of Cais do Sodre.

By bus Route 27 is a looped bus line serving the town and the nearby tourist destinations, including the Boca di Inferna. It is operated by the Cas

See

1 Boca do Inferno, Av. Rei Humberto II Italia (walk or ride a bike a long the footpath between the marina and Av. Republica). Just outside the town is the famous Boca do Inferno in which the sea on rougher days hammers into the rock and creates a booming noise and a spectacular spray thus creating its name which in English means "mouth of hell". The English occultist Aleister Crowley faked his death there in 1930. Free. (updated Jun 2015) 2 Palácio de Conde de Castro Guimarães, Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália Parque Marechal Camona 2750-319 Cascais. One of the most outstanding palaces is the Palácio de Conde de Castro Guimarães that is open to the public and exhibits its own grand private collection that includes over 25,000 books and such rarities as an illustrated book by Duarte Galvão (1455-1517). (updated Jun 2015) 3 Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos (Museu do Mar), R. Júlio Pereira de Mello 2750 Cascais. On a much more modest scale is the Museu do Mar that depicts the story of Cascais and its fishing history. (updated Jun 2015) 4 Parque Palmela. The Parque Palmela is an attractive park created by the Duques de Palmela and now maintained by the Town Hall and in which open-air concerts are often held. (updated Jun 2015) 5 Guincho beach (Praia do Guincho). Within easy reach of Cascais is the famous beach at Guincho with its high waves that attract windsurfers from all around the world as having some of the best rollers in Europe. (updated Jun 2015) 6 Casa das Histórias Paula Rego (in parkland a short walk due west from the Citadel). Tu-Su 10:00-18:00, closed Monday. Modern red-coloured museum devoted entirely to the works of Portuguese-born artist Paula Rego and her husband. The museum's large collection is rotated every few months following different themes. €3. (updated Sep 2017) 7 Town Hall (Câmara Municipal de Cascais), Praça 5 de Outubro 1 (in the centre of Cascais by the sea close to the Hotel Baia). An attractive building with an excellent, small museum on the groun

Do

Cascais is a magnet for those looking to practice every type of sport and leisure activity. Besides excellent facilities and all the professional staff and necessary equipment, the region boasts a wide range of natural advantages such as pure air, temperate year-round climate and close proximity to the sea and mountains. Beginning on Avenida Rei Humberto II de Italia, just outside town past the marina, is a cycle lane and footpath extending the whole 5 km to Guincho beaches. This route runs beside the sea and is ideal for morning and evening strolls. The almost perennial North Atlantic sea breeze lends a refreshing air, especially during the hot summer months. Along the way you will find Boca Do Inferno, the famed "Mouth of Hell", where there is also a snack cafe, seafood restaurant and vendors of touristy gifts.

Football: Estoril Praia play soccer in Primeira Liga, Portugal's top tier. Their home ground Estádio António Coimbra da Mota (capacity 8000) is 2 km north of Estoril seafront. The women's team is likewise in the top tier.

Water sports The marina area is very active. Sailing enthusiasts will find sailing schools open at the weekend, while regular competitions and leisure vessels can always be seen around Cascais Bay. On some of the beaches it’s very easy to hire boats and go water-skiing. Like on the south coast, the big waves and strong winds on the west coast provide perfect conditions for surfing, windsurfing and body boarding. The world championships of these sports are regularly contested at the beaches of Guincho, Grande and Ribeira d’Ilhas north of Ericeir