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9 Lovely Things To Do In Charming Cascais If You Only Have One Day – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 24th of September, 2025
If you are willing to briefly wander away from Lisbon’s famous yellow trams and impressive architectural gems and jump on a train – think of it as a micro-adventure – you can visit one of the most charming coastal towns, where you’ll be warmly greeted by dazzling sea views and pristine sandy shores.
Nestled between the lush Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and picturesque Estoril, Cascais is a fantastic place to visit as a day trip from Lisbon or, even better, to extend your stay in Portugal for a couple of days to run around barefoot on sun-drenched beaches and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
In the late 19th century, the Portuguese Royal family chose Cascais for their summer retreats.
What was once a small fishing village quickly grew to become a high-end destination for the wealthy. Today, it is a bustling town that’s oozing with an extensive history, eroded limestone cliffs and fishing boats bobbing in the harbour.
Here’s a guide to the best things to do in this beautiful coastal town, where whitewashed houses and winding streets cheerfully greet day-trippers and holidaymakers.
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#1. Explore the Cidadela Art District
Make your way through the small arch, and you’ll find – set within the same square – Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais and Cidadela Art District.
Over the years, the historic Cascais Fortress has been transformed into a sophisticated exhibition and art space by the Pousada Hotel group to promote the cultural aspirations of the area.
The ultra-modern art district with white-washed walls is scattered with various sculptures and contains six galleries and six Open Studios where artists can express themselves and share projects, and where visitors can observe artists during their creative processes.
Given the historical and artistic atmosphere, it is a wonderful place to relax and take in the rich culture Cascais has to offer.
- Address – Av. Dom Carlos I, 2750-310 Cascais
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#2. Be amazed by Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth)
Boca do Inferno is a famous crevasse in the cliffs near Cascais.
As the wild ocean waves crash into the rugged cliffs in a seemingly never-ending cycle, they create a dramatic atmosphere and a mesmerizing display of nature’s power.
Situated just 2 kilometres north of Cascais, the cliffs are a magnet for visitors. Standing at the water’s edge, there’s very little doubt that this stretch of coast is a spectacular natural phenomenon eroded by the restless pounding of the sea and appreciated by the steady stream of visitors.
You can enjoy stunning coastal views and admire coastal rock formations free of charge as Boca do Inferno is situated on public land and is open year-round.
- Getting there – To reach Boca do Inferno from Cascais, take a walk along the path west of the coastal resort. It will bring you past the Citadel De Cascais, then over the bridge and past Santa Maria Lighthouse.
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#3. Visit Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
The Castro Guimarães Museum is set in the former home of a wealthy and well-connected family who spent their summer holidays in Cascais to hang out with Queen Amélia.
By visiting the museum, you can see a beautiful art collection and admire graceful arches and oriental porcelain as you browse through the impressive library, where you’ll find 25,000 volumes, with some of them dating back to the 1600s.
There’s also an Arabic-inspired courtyard and plenty of the irresistible Portuguese blue-and-white tiles.
For those who are interested in visiting, entry to the museum is only 3€, and you can check opening times on their official website before you go.
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#4. Wander around Marechal Carmona Park
How about escaping crowds and spending time in a lush park where you can relax, read, walk and play?
You can do that by visiting Marechal Carmon Park, which is exceptionally welcoming during the hot summer days as the trees provide shade.
This park is an excellent place for whole families. In addition to intriguing artwork, fragrant roses and colourful azulejo benches, it also features two playgrounds, and little ones will love free-roaming peacocks, ducks and turtles.
The park is well kept with colourful flowerbeds, small ponds, a picnic area and a café.
- Address – Avenida da República, Cascais, Portugal, 2750-475
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#5. Enjoy One of its Many Beaches
Thanks to Cascais’ location, you can find more than a dozen beaches.
Most of the Cascais beaches are situated in or around the city centre, so you don’t even have to travel or rent a car to reach them.
While they are undeniably crowded, especially during the weekends and at the height of the summer when locals are joined by tourists, they are litter-free and even come with excellent facilities like a bar and toilets.
Check out these beaches in Cascais:
- Praia de Santa Marta – a little beach between Palácio dos Condes de Castro Guimarães and the Marina with an incredible lighthouse view.
- Praia da Conceição – overlooked by a 5-star hotel on top of a cliff – is the most accessible beach to tourists arriving from Lisbon. It’s a wonderful sandy beach with calm and clear waters, perfect for families with young children.
- Praia da Rainha – a petite, picture-perfect beach is located right by the main pedestrian street, just a short stroll from the train station. With lifeguards, bathrooms and showers available on the beach, it’s a great place to spread your towel.
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#6. Walk around Cascais Marina
Cascais Marina offers easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, providing capacity for 650 vessels of all sizes, as well as a wide array of services, including laundry, fuel, and marine supplies, making it a perfect destination for maritime adventures.
If you arrive on dry land, you’ll find a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as a swimming pool, beach access, bars and restaurants.
Walk around the Cascais Marina, which is the third-largest in the country, and you’ll find the 15th-century fort at one edge of it, and plenty of high-end restaurants, bars and even a cultural centre.
Cascais Marina is open for visitors who can wander around and admire sleek boats and check out the yachts.
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#7. Stroll around the Old Centre of Cascais
The old centre of Cascais is irresistibly charming and bursting with character, and one of the best ways to experience it is by getting lost in its winding laneways.
The old town is a wonderful mixture of interesting street art, pastel-coloured facades and vibrant flowers dripping out of window boxes.
Make sure to take your time as you wander through the quaint alleyways, soaking up the laid-back atmosphere and admiring the beautiful architecture.
If you are looking to purchase a little keepsake from your time exploring Portugal’s Silver Coast, then the old town is the perfect spot to shop. Consider bringing home some Portuguese souvenirs or perhaps some of the country’s famous pastries.
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#8. Cycle to the Windy Guincho Beach
Venture further north, where the beaches are wild and windy and where the coast is scattered with rocky headlands, to experience Portugal’s raw beauty.
A cycle path that connects Guincho Beach and Cascais is mostly flat, which makes it a great half-day self-guided tour. On a breezy day, it would be a good idea to rent an e-bike as there is a slight slope to the coastal cycle path.
Bring plenty of refreshments as the sweltering heat during the summer months can be rather unbearable and can make cycling a challenge.
*Fun Fact – You can see Guinco Beach featured in the opening sequence of 1969’s James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
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#9. Visit Santa Marta Lighthouse and Museum
Rocky shores around Cascais are full of wonderful sights, and one of them is Santa Marta Lighthouse, which is the first museum dedicated to Portuguese coastal lighthouses.
The lighthouse was built in 1867 and you can recognise it immediately, from its blue and white stripes.
For a small fee, you can visit the museum and climb all the way to the upper platform for a beautiful view or join other people sitting in the warm sand among rocks right at the river mouth.
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How to Plan a Lisbon to Cascais Day Trip
Although many travellers choose to stay in Lisbon and take day trips to nearby attractions like Cascais and Sintra, you can also use Cascais as your base for exploring Sintra and the beautiful Estoril Coast.
Connected to Lisbon by the inexpensive and regular railway system, Cascais is only a 40-minute train ride away from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodre station, which is linked to the green metro line.
- Train Times: The train leaves approximately every 12 minutes at peak times and then 20 minutes at other times.
- Ticket Prices: A single ticket should cost no more than 3 euros.
- Getting Off: Once the train leaves the city, it follows the scenic coastline and stops in towns along the way until it comes to a full stop in Cascais, which is the last stop.
*Top Tip – Be sure to check the CP website for up-to-date timetables and fares.
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Where to stay in Cascais
We have never stayed in Cascais for a night or two, but I always like to find out what it has to offer in case we come back one day for more. Given its popularity as a holiday destination, Cascais is full of accommodation options, and prices will depend on the season.
Hostels
- Ljmonade: Located in a quiet residential area, just a short walk away from a train station, this hostel is a great place to meet new friends and relax. It has beautiful communal areas, a fantastic breakfast and a very pretty female dorm room.
- Cascais Bay Hostel: With its central location and a sunny terrace overlooking the ocean, this hostel offers a fully equipped kitchen, a lovely breakfast and a fun place to stay.
Hotels & Guesthouses
- Booking.com: Use this search engine to find your desired accommodation in Cascais. Many hotels & Spas face the ocean, and so do the affordable hostels and guesthouses.
Upscale Hotels
- Casa Vela Guesthouse: This restored mansion has a breakfast terrace overlooking beautiful gardens. It is just a short walk from the harbour. Each of the fifteen suites is tastefully decorated and themed after discoveries related to Portuguese history.
- Pestana Cidadela Cascais: Recommended by both the Wall Street Journal and the NY Times, this hotel is for luxury travellers. Set within the walls of the fortress, Pousada de Cascais is centrally situated and offers unobstructed views from the rooftop pool deck.
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Now, over to you!
Have you been to Cascais? Let us know in the comments below!
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