Nothing beats being able to venture into town without breaking the bank. Whether it’s visiting museums or admiring breathtaking scenery. There is something here for everyone. Cascais offers plenty to enjoy without spending a cent—from wandering cobbled streets and relaxing on golden beaches to strolling the coastal path to Estoril, exploring Boca do Inferno’s cliffs, and unwinding in Marechal Carmona Park.
Any visit to Cascais should include a visit to the “Museu da Vila”, a free-admission museum dedicated to the town’s history. It tells a story of the people who lived in the area before the formation of Portugal (pre-12th century), the birth of Cascais and the significance of its coat of arms, the importance of fishing and agriculture, life following the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, and the years when it became the Portuguese Riviera. A fascinating journey with some interactive elements.
Address: Praça 5 de Outubro 1, 2750-320 Cascais, Portugal
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10 am-6 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-1 pm/2 pm-6 pm
Relax on Cascais Beach: There are several beaches in Cascais, free to visit. Pack a picnic and spend the day soaking up the sun and enjoying the sea
Cascais beaches
- Praia da Rainha
- Praia da Duquesa
- Praia da Conceição
- Tamariz Beach
- Praia de Santa Marta
- Ribeira Beach
- Praia da Rata (Praia das Moitas)
- Praia da Poça
- Praia do Guincho
- Praia de São Pedro do Estoril
A stroll around the lovely old town centre in the post-beach glow will feel fantastic, as long as you overlook the salt and sand coating your body. Utilize the Cascais WI-FI network to feed your Instagram – but be careful not to overdo it with the downloads.
Cascais Tide Gauge
Cascais received an observatory for researching tides in 1882, courtesy of Amédée Phillipe Borrel, a French watchmaker. Surprisingly, the system continues to function to this day. In 1895, the Cascais Tide Gauge (“Marégrafo”) was relocated to its current site, atop a natural rock formation and on the most stable available platform. “The tidal gauge records have been maintained without interruption for almost 120 years,” explains José Manuel Campos of the state heritage office, who is responsible for the Tide Gauge’s maintenance. Seven days a week, the analogue system monitors the tides and records data on a piece of paper using a pen (various colours, changed during the week). The resultant image is referred to as a “maregrama” (“tidegra”). “In the past, this was a full-time job for someone,” Campos explains. Additionally, the Cascais tide gauge created the Portuguese Altimetric Datum (zero-level elevation), which is used as a reference for height measurements in Portugal. This implies that if you ascend to the highest peak in adjacent Sintra – 528 metres above sea level – your altitude is determined by this sea gauge. Of the four analogue sea gauges that originally existed in Europe (the others were in France, the Netherlands, and Scotland), this is the only one that is still operational and accessible to the public.
Avenida Maria Pia de Sabóia, Cascais
www.cascais.pt/equipamento/maregrafo-de-cascais
Guided tours, Tue-Thu 3pm
Citadel Art District
If you have an interest in the arts, you really must visit the Citadel Art District, which features galleries, art studios, and project space where local artists exhibit their work. Art pervades the whole complex, from the rooms to the corridors of the Pestana Cidadela Cascais Hotel, and new exhibitions open regularly. Visit and learn about this cultural movement.
Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais, Av. D. Carlos, Cascais
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Marechal Carmona Park
One of Cascais’s green lungs, formed in the 1940s by the merging of the gardens of the Condes de Castro Guimares Palace (the same-named museum is located nearby) and grounds owned by the Gandarinha Viscount. The park has a romantic vibe to it, with several secluded spaces for lovers, but it is also fantastic for children, with two playgrounds (one for toddlers and one for older children), peacocks, ducks, roosters, chickens, and a spacious lawn for sunbathing.
Praceta Domingos D’Avillez, Cascais
Opening hours: Summer 8.30 am- 7.45 pm daily. Winter 8.30 am- 5.45 pm
The most renowned stone structure in Cascais attracts many visitors who walk atop the boulders each day to peer out over the sea and attempt to get the greatest shot possible as a souvenir. Walking across the rocks to the viewpoint is a pleasant walk; from there, you can appreciate the ocean’s real might, even on calm days. A Portuguese arts and crafts market is nearby, open every day until 9 p.m.
Explore the Cascais Marina: The marina is a bustling hub of activity, and it’s free to stroll around and admire the boats. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby if you want to grab a bite to eat.
Walk along the Cascais Promenade: The promenade runs along the coast and offers gorgeous views of the ocean. It’s a great place to take a leisurely stroll and people-watch.
Visit the Casa das Historias Paula Rego: This museum is dedicated to the work of Portuguese artist Paula Rego, and it’s free to visit on Sundays.
