Cascais Sintra Estoril
Time travel back to the 19th and early 20th centuries when this former fishing village rose to become a resort town of regal choosing. The wide esplanade, elegant architecture and general seaside grandiosity all lend the Cascais of nowadays an air of majestic cheerfulness that is contagious.
Just a quick 15 minutes from Lisbon, at the end of the suburban train line, you find yourself in a charming beach town with bags of recreational pursuits to offer. While Cascais may have been embraced by monarchy and glitterati – and continues to draw a cosmopolitan, jet-set crowd – it has never really strayed too far from its roots.
Today, the daily catch in Cascais is still auctioned in the harbour-side square and colourful boats still bob in the harbour – their owners often found mending nets on the quay. Naturally, you’ll find a healthy variety of quality fish restaurants, as well as a plethora of other types of restaurants nestled alongside chic boutiques, well-heeled hotels and specialty tourist shops selling typical embroidery and lace. Great for shopping.
As if all this picturesque charm was not enough – you’ll also come across magnificent beaches, sandy coves with crystalline waters and plenty of water activities. The modern marina is lined with luxury yachts and – to crown it all off – the town comes alive at night with trendy nightclubs and the iconic Cascais casino – one of Europe’s oldest and largest.
Just a short drive from Lisbon, Cascais is certainly one of the most convenient beach towns for foreign visitors and residents of Portugal’s capital.
LOCATION
- 15 minutes by train from Lisbon
- 35-minute drive to Lisbon
EXPERIENCES IN CASCAIS
- Water sports: Sailing, boating, swimming, diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, SUP
- Beaches
- Sightseeing
- Clubbing
- Casino
- Shopping
- Gastronomy
