Cascais, Lisbon Coast, Portugal – Travel Guide
Cascais is a pretty old fishing village just 15 miles from Lisbon on the Estoril coast of Portugal. Fishing boats still set sail from here, supplying locally caught fish to food establishments in the cities. During the Christmas season, local people set up stalls along the road to sell local handicrafts and unusual souvenirs.
Offering an excellent base for visiting the Lisbon seaside resorts, Cascais is a lively resort with a relaxed atmosphere.
The picturesque old town of Cascais has many cobbled streets, a 16th century fort, churches, museums, a zoo, a bullring, a park and a marina to explore. There are many dining opportunities in Cascais with a variety of restaurants, traditional taverns and cafes. Evenings can be spent in the lively bars and clubs, enjoying a relaxing meal in one of the best gourmet restaurants or visiting the incredible Estoril casino.
Walking is a popular activity here, especially along the coastal path from Cascais to Boca do Inferno, which is great fun during a storm or at high tide, but not for the faint-hearted! There are many roadside cafes along the way, a great place to have a drink is Esplanada Santa Marta, which overlooks the beach and the Santa Marta lighthouse.
With three beautiful beaches: Praia da Rainha, Praia da Ribeira, and Praia da Conceicao, you will have many options to choose from. Praia da Ribeira is a working fishing port where you can see the local boats that leave for their daily fishing. There is also the large wild beach of Praia do Guincho, which is just a short drive from Cascais. Water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing are offered on the beaches of Cascais.
Great days out of Cascais include taking a train trip to Lisbon, visiting the historic resorts of Estoril and Sintra, the Sintra-Cascais National Park and the 18th-century Queluz Palace, or taking a deep-sea fishing trip.
Summer holidays in Portugal are ideal, as you will normally always be guaranteed a good time.
If you are looking for a last minute vacation, there are always great deals on the internet.