Things to Do in Cascais

Cascais is Lisbon’s seaside escape: a pretty former fishing town with sheltered beaches, a marina, a lively old centre, dramatic coastline and wild Atlantic beaches just up the road. It’s about 40 minutes from Lisbon by train. Here are the best things to do in Cascais.

Quick answer: swim at the town beaches (Rainha, Conceição, Duquesa), walk or cycle the coast to Boca do Inferno, explore the Cidadela arts district and the old town, stroll the seafront promenade to Estoril, and head to wild Guincho and Cabo da Roca (the clifftop is free; only the lighthouse visit is paid). Trains from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré take about 40 minutes.

Why go

Cascais was a fishing village until the Portuguese royal family began spending summers here in the late 19th century, and it’s been a smart seaside resort ever since. Today you get small town beaches, a walkable old centre and some of the most dramatic coastline near Lisbon, all on a direct train line from the capital. It works as a relaxed day trip or a calmer base than the city.

In town

• The beaches: Praia da Rainha (a tiny cove), Conceição and Duquesa (sheltered, family-friendly) are right in town. The sea is cool all year, but calm on most summer days.
• The old town: cobbled lanes, wave-patterned pavements and the main square. Allow an hour to wander.
• The Cidadela: the old citadel, now a hotel and art district with galleries and studios. Free to wander.
• The marina: restaurants and boat trips along the coast.
• Museums: the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego (a striking red building by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, usually closed on Mondays), the Santa Marta lighthouse museum and the Condes de Castro Guimarães palace, all small and close together. Check opening times before you go.
• Parque Marechal Carmona: a shady park with peacocks and ducks. Great with kids.
• The market: the Mercado da Vila sells fresh produce and fish. Wednesday and Saturday mornings are the busiest market days, when farmers from the surrounding area bring their produce.

Along the coast

• Boca do Inferno: “Hell’s Mouth”, a sea cave where waves crash through the rocks, a 20-minute walk west of town. Free. It’s most dramatic on a windy day with a big swell.
• The promenade to Estoril: a 3km seafront walk past beaches and cafés. Walk one way and take the train back. See our Estoril guide.
• Guincho: a wild, windy beach for surfers and kitesurfers, by bike, car or MobiCascais town bus (lines 5 and 15 from the station). Too rough for most swimmers.
• Cabo da Roca: the westernmost point of mainland Europe. The clifftop and viewpoint are free to visit; only the lighthouse visit is paid. The lighthouse opened to visitors in July 2026: the Essential visit costs about €5, and the Panoramic visit with a guided climb about €10. See our Cabo da Roca guide.
• Cycling: a cycle path of about 9km runs along the coast road towards Guincho. Rent a bike in town and go in the morning, before the wind picks up.

A one-day route

• Morning: train from Lisbon, coffee in the old town, then walk the coast path to Boca do Inferno and back.
• Lunch: fish by the marina or in the old town.
• Afternoon: the Paula Rego museum or a swim at Praia da Rainha, then the Cidadela.
• Late afternoon: walk the promenade to Estoril and catch the train back to Lisbon from there.

With a car or bike, swap the afternoon for Guincho and Cabo da Roca, and stay for sunset.

Food

Cascais is still a fishing town at heart, and the morning catch comes in at the harbour. Look for grilled fish such as sea bass and sardines in summer, clams, octopus and seafood rice. Ice cream is a local habit: Santini, founded in Estoril in 1949, has a shop in the old town and long queues on summer evenings. Prices are higher than in Lisbon, especially along the seafront.

Nearby

• Sintra: about 30 minutes by car. Bus 1624 runs via Cabo da Roca to Portela de Sintra station in about an hour. See Sintra in one day.
• Estoril: the famous casino and its gardens.
• Carcavelos: a big surf beach on the train line. See surfing in Portugal.

Getting there

Trains run from Cais do Sodré in Lisbon to Cascais about every 20 minutes, taking about 40 minutes along the coast. Sit on the left-hand side heading out for sea views. Pay with a navegante card. See Lisbon public transport. Since April 2026, works mean replacement buses run between Caxias and Cascais in the evenings (from about 9:50pm on weekdays, earlier at weekends), so allow extra time for a late return. Carris Metropolitana bus 1624 links Cascais with Cabo da Roca and Portela de Sintra station (not the station in Sintra village), roughly hourly, so check the timetable. By car, Cascais is about 30 to 40 minutes from central Lisbon, but parking in the centre is limited and paid.

When to go

May, June and September are ideal: warm, sunny and less crowded. July and August are hot and busy, especially at weekends when Lisbon heads to the beach. The free Festas do Mar music festival fills Cascais Bay in late August, and the Estoril Open tennis tournament has been held in July since 2026. Winter is mild and quiet, good for walks rather than swims.

Where to stay

See where to stay in Cascais or browse Cascais stays. More: our Cascais day trip and the best beaches near Lisbon.

Is Cascais worth visiting?

Yes, as a day trip from Lisbon (about 40 minutes by train) or a relaxed seaside base. Enjoy the beaches, the old town, the promenade to Estoril and the coast road to Guincho. The downsides: it’s pricey, busy on summer weekends, and the town beaches are small.

Why it’s worth it

• Beaches: see the best beaches near Cascais.
• The old town and the citadel.
• The coast: Boca do Inferno, Guincho and Cabo da Roca. See Guincho.
• Easy access: trains from Lisbon run along the coast.

The downsides

• Price: one of the more expensive areas near Lisbon.
• Crowds: summer weekends are busy.
• Less local: more international and upmarket.

Plan your visit

See the Cascais day trip, where to stay in Cascais and Cascais vs Lisbon.

FAQ

How do you get from Lisbon to Cascais?

Take the train from Cais do Sodré, about 40 minutes. In 2026, evening trips between Caxias and Cascais use replacement buses, so a late return takes longer.

How do you get from Cascais to Cabo da Roca?

Take Carris Metropolitana bus 1624 from Cascais, roughly hourly, or a taxi or ride-hailing car. There is no train.

Can you go inside the Cabo da Roca lighthouse?

Yes, since July 2026. Tickets start at about €5, and the clifftop around it stays free.

From our sister blog: 20 things to do in Cascais, a couple’s guide on Sunset Travellers.

See also: Guincho beach, Sintra and Cascais in one day and Boca do Inferno.

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