Best Things To Do in Cascais

Cascais is a town in Portugal located west of Lisbon, which makes it an easily accessible destination with numerous tourist options, thanks to its wide variety of natural spaces. It is an ideal place for water sports such as surfing and kitesurfing, and has extensive cycling trails, among other activities.

During your stay, you will find many activities to enjoy. You can swim in the surrounding beaches, explore the imposing cliffs and even climb them, watch the sunset from a cruise ship, take a trip to the village of Sintra or Cabo da Roca, sample the local flavours in the restaurants and bars, visit the Marechal Carmona Park, and much more. Here are the details of these and other unmissable activities.

A very good option for enjoying the wonders of Cascais is to take advantage of its beaches with consistent waves, which are ideal for various water and adventure sports, such as surfing. You can sign up for a surfing lesson in Cascais.

In this experience you'll head out to the Atlantic coast of Portugal and receive surfing instructions from a professional instructor. The first thing you will learn is how to get on the board and stay on it. Of course, after wearing your wetsuit.

As you gain confidence, you'll quickly complete the cycle of falling, getting up and surfing while having fun and enjoying yourself. During the activity you'll be able to admire the beauty of the surroundings, with sandy beaches, cliffs and crystal clear waters. At the end, you can continue exploring the city at your own pace.

Useful information

• Price: from 39€ per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours.

If your main objective on your trip to Cascais is to relax, then you can book a sunset cruise in Cascais. This is an activity that usually involves only your travel group, strolling along the town's coastline and surroundings as the sun goes down.

For this experience you will have to go to the Cascais marina, where these tours usually start. On the boat, you can relax at your leisure and admire the orange tones of the Portuguese sunset. In the meantime, you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage, such as a Portuguese wine, as cruises often include on-board service.

During the cruise, you will not only be able to see the ocean horizon, but also some of the most famous beaches in the surrounding area, as well as some of the nearby villages. Among them, you will see the Citadel of Cascai, Praia do Tamariz and the town of Estoril, another of the area's tourist attractions. You will also see the Santa Marta lighthouse and Praia da Conceição in the distance . All in all, it will be an ideal walk to breathe fresh air and admire the beauty of the region.

Useful information

• Price: approximately 481 per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours.

Cascais is a town surrounded by nature and therefore there are many options for adventure. Another must-do activity for adrenaline lovers is to climb a cliff by joining a rock climbing experience in Cascais, where you will test your senses and physical ability to reach the top.

To participate in the activity, you will join an instructor and your tour group. You will receive advice and instructions for the climb, as well as the necessary equipment such as helmets, harness and climbing shoes. You will then begin the ascent which will take you the time relative to your climbing ability.

As you climb through the rocky mountain, you will be able to see the natural surroundings, where rocky landscapes blend with picturesque tones and the stunning blue of the sea. You will definitely feel the adrenaline rush and the pride of reaching the top, which will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view.

Useful information

• Price: about 84€ per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.

If you have little time to explore Cascais, a good idea is to combine a jeep and bike tour with a visit to the village of Sintra. You could do this activity on your own or book a jeep and bike tour of Cascais and Sintra, where the itinerary will already be structured, as well as being guided through the sites by an expert.

The experience usually starts by bike, covering from the historic centre to the bay of Cascais. You will pass the beautiful white sandy beaches, the marina with its boats and the old fish market.

For the trip to Sintra, you will have to go by jeep. In this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will see magnificent buildings such as the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. You will also see the Sintra National Palace and views of the Portuguese coast from Cabo da Roca and its cliffs.

Useful information

• Price: from 249€ per person.
• Duration: between 6 and 7 hours.

Cascais is a town made for sporting activity. If you enjoy swimming as well as adventure, then don't hesitate to book a Cascais open water swimming experience Here, you'll be able to swim in the Atlantic waters for a few metres, contemplate the natural beauty and practice physical activity.

For this experience, you'll set off from Praia da Duquesa, a calm and crystalline water environment ideal for diving and swimming. With the guidance of an instructor, you will learn techniques to control your breathing, anxiety and receive tips for a better performance in the sea.

You will be assisted by the professional during the session and you will receive the corresponding swimming equipment. There will also be photos and videos to record the practice, as well as the beauty of the beach and the surrounding area. At the end, you will be refreshed and ready to continue with your travel itinerary.

Useful information

• Price: about 53€ per person.
• Duration: on average, 1 hour.

Another must-see destination during your visit to Cascais is the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum. It is a cultural and architectural gem located in the Marechal Carmona Park. It is a building that combines neo-Gothic, neo-Romanesque and neo-Manueline elements, originally built as a private residence between 1897 and 1900.

As well as admiring the architecture, you can learn about the life of the Portuguese aristocracy in the early 20th century and admire a collection of art and historical artefacts. These include period furniture arranged among its rooms, tapestries, porcelain and paintings by Portuguese and European artists.

Also of particular interest is the Chronicle of D. Afonso Henriques, an illuminated manuscript from the 15th century considered one of the most important in the collection. There are also the gardens which form part of the park and offer panoramic views of the Atlantic and a play area for children. During the visit, guides provide information about the attractions observed, making it an entertaining and educational experience.

Information of interest

• Admission: about €5 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.

Another of the most enjoyable experiences you can have in Cascais is to join a gastronomic tour, which will be ideal to get to know the rich culinary tradition of Portugal. In this type of tour, you will go (on your own or with a guide) to the most authentic restaurants and bars of the city, where you will taste a variety of typical dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.

During the tour, you'll not only enjoy the food, but also learn about the history and culture surrounding each dish. Local guides will share anecdotes and trivia about each recipe. You can try dishes such as Portuguese-style clams and bacalhau à brás, a classic version of the famous Portuguese cod. There are also grilled sardines and seafood rice, a typical delicacy of the region.

Many of the tours incorporate a tasting of traditional sweets such as travesseiros and queijadas de Sintra, accompanied by a coffee or a ginginha, the famous Portuguese cherry liqueur. In short, this experience offers an opportunity to get to know the soul of Cascais through its flavours.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of the tour will vary according to the supplier you connect with or the restaurants you choose to visit.
• Duration: will depend on your itinerary or the organisers (on average 2 hours).

A cycling tour along the Guincho coast is another sporting, touristic and ecological adventure you can undertake during your stay in Cascais. It is a scenic route that connects Cascais with the famous Guincho Beach. The route is surrounded by cliffs, dunes and the deep blue Atlantic.

This route is suitable for cyclists of all levels, with an accessible and varied route that offers a moderate challenge. Along the way, you can make strategic stops at viewpoints and points of natural interest, where you can rest and take pictures of the surrounding scenery. Among the highlights is Cabo Raso, which offers panoramic views of the coast and the Atlantic in all its splendour.

If you go with a local guide, you will hear information about the natural environment and its ecological importance. You'll also be able to spot seabirds and, if you're lucky, spot a seal or dolphin in the nearby waters. You will arrive at Guincho Beach, famous for its golden sand and good conditions for water sports such as surfing and kitesurfing. You can relax on the beach, enjoy a picnic lunch or even try your hand at some water activities.

Useful information

• Price: will depend on the price of the bike rental or the provider you connect with.
• Duration: at your own pace, or about 3 hours.

During your stay in Cascais you can take the opportunity to explore all that the Atlantic coast of Portugal has to offer and book a trip to Sintra and Cabo da Roca from Cascais. Located just over 20 minutes' drive from Cascais, these two towns have history and beauty within them, both of which are worth exploring and admiring.

This trip can be done on your own or you can join a tour. This option is more convenient, because the organisers take care of all the logistics (transport, itinerary, etc.) for you. In either case, you will venture to Sintra, a town that is home to palaces and castles of high historical and cultural value such as the Pena Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira and

. You will also go to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of Portugal and continental Europe, which for many centuries was considered the place where the earth ended. You will see the imposing lighthouse, which is one of the oldest in Portugal and offers beautiful panoramic views of the region that you can capture in photographs and videos.

Useful information

• Price: the tour starts at 84€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours, including transfers to and from the lighthouse.

The Marechal Carmona Park is a natural lung in the heart of Cascais, ideal if you want to relax and enjoy nature. Here you can take a walk, have a picnic or simply relax in the shade. Stroll along its paths while you get away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

The site is also home to a rich biodiversity, with several species of birds nesting in its trees and ponds. During your visit, you are likely to come across peacocks roaming freely. If you are travelling with children, the park has a play area, designed with recreational activities to keep them entertained while the adults relax in the surroundings.

Don't forget to stop by the Estanque dos Patos, a small lake full of ducks and other birds. Also, in the surrounding gardens you will see a wide variety of plants and flowers that change their appearance according to the season. If you wish, you can have a picnic, as there are designated areas for this purpose. Also, if you go on a weekend, you are likely to find cultural activities or local markets, where you can buy handmade products or enjoy typical food.

Useful information

• Price: free.
• Opening hours: from 8.30am to 5.45pm from November to March and from 8.30am to 7.45pm from April to October.