Lisbon has plenty of activities that you can indulge in and you can easily spend a number of days there but if you have some time to spare you should head out to Cascais. It is an easy journey from the center of the town.
You can also choose to stay in the area like we did. There are a surprisingly large number of things to do in Cascais Portugal that we found ourselves just spending most of our time in the area.
Cascais is well known for its numerous beaches and its beautiful cliffs. That however is not its only attraction. Located on the coast, Cascais is well known for its delicious seafood and is a pretty laid back town where you can enjoy some shopping at too. If you are interested in the history of Portugal, you can also check out the museums in the area.
But that’s Cascais in brief. We spent about 3 days in the area and weren’t bored at all. Here’s all the things to do in Cascais that kept us busy through our days there.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.
Table of Contents
Where To Stay In Cascais
As I mentioned before, most people head to Cascais as a day trip from Lisbon. If you want to really enjoy the vibe of this ultra cute town and indulge in all the different things to do in Cascais, you should consider staying in the area. Here are some good options depending on your budget.
The Albatroz Hotel – Luxury
⭐️ Rating: 9.3/10 (1,173 Reviews) Price: $283 per night 📍Location: Rua Frederico Arouca 100, Cascais Details: Read more on booking.com now!
The Albatroz hotel is by far one of the best hotels when it comes to its prime location. It is just a stones throw away from city and yet is located on the beachfront. All you have to do is get out of the hotel and you can sink your toes in sand. It’s that close. Plus the hotel has some amazing sea views from its rooms.
The building in which the hotel is located looks like one of the heritage buildings in the area and merges in with its surroundings perfectly such that at first glance you won’t realize that it is a hotel,
The Albatroz also offers all levels of comfort that you can expect from a 5 star hotel. The only downside is that since the hotel is so good, you have to book way in advance if you want a room here.
Oh yeah and it will cost you since this is not one of the budget options in the city. It is however worth it.
“Beautiful seaside view from breakfast terrace inside and out, very helpful staff. Excellent breakfast, hot and cold, ample supply kept up. Large room, tiny windows (top floor under roof) but again spectacular views.
Padded walls, no sound from other occupants, just the sea. Very large and comfortable beds. Beautifully decorated old building, at least the part where we stayed and where the breakfast room and terraces are located”
Philip (read more reviews now!)
The panoramic views from the restaurant, delicious brunch and the luxurious pool are just a couple of other perks of the hotel. I also love the fact that it is close to almost all the things to do in Cascais. It is also perfect for just a beachside vacation.
Hotel Baia – Mid Range
⭐️ Rating: 8.4/10 (3,962 Reviews) Price: $101 per night 📍Location: Passeio D. Luís 1 – Av. Marginal , Cascais Details: Read more on booking.com now!
Another great beach side hotel is Hotel Baia. This hotel is centrally located and if you’ve been to Cascais, you’ve probably walked past it a couple of times already. It is situated just a few meters away from Museu da Vila and the beach. It is also very close to the center of the city which means that you don’t really have to walk far to see all the things to do in Cascais.
In fact, there are loads of great places to eat, chill and even shop at on the very same lane. This makes Hotel Baia a very good place for a first time visitor.
A big bonus is that the rooms come with a big breakfast that is served up at the restaurant or the outdoor seating space when the weather is good.
“Fantastic location, friendly staff who allowed an early check in after a long night of travel, great breakfast, and a decent sized balcony for two off the room to enjoy drinks from and watch the world go by.”
Rebecca (read more reviews now!)
If you are a fan of cycling, the hotel even rents cycles so you don’t have to head out to find a rental which makes it super convenient.
Things To Do In Cascais, Portugal
1. Historic Center
Wandering through the historic city center is one of the col things to do in Cascais.
The historic center of the town is vibrant and exploring it is one of the things to do in Cascais that you should not miss. Meander down the main streets and take in the interesting architecture which is very different from other parts of the continent. You will find that the Portuguese brought back a lot of influences from their colonies to their home country.
When you walk through the streets, don’t forget to turn off the main streets. Walk through the narrow alleyways. During spring and summer these come alive with color and flowers. They make great backgrounds for photographs and are generally less crowded.
2. Go Shopping
The one thing that I constantly kept feeling like doing was to buy souvenirs. Cascais is filled with souvenir shops and you will find yourself tempted to go and take a piece of Portugal back with you. Unlike the shops in Lisbon, I found myself unrushed here.
It gave me time to browse peacefully and to shop at my ease. I landed up picking up a couple of souvenirs and a very cool denim handmade bag from the city.
3. Indulge On Seafood
Seafood from Nova Estrela one of the best restaurants in Cascais.
One of the best things to do in Cascais is to enjoy the food. The seafood in particular is pretty awesome and that is because the fish is fresh. Most Portuguese consume lots of fish in their regular diet and the best part is that they use spice to cook.
There are loads of great restaurants in Cascais and they fit all budgets. Just make sure to book your table in advance. The best ones usually get full even before they open their doors if you know what I mean.
Things To Do In Cascais: Museums
4. Museu De Villa
Museu de Villa is one of the fun free things to do in Cascais, Portugal.
At the center of the city is a gorgeous building with the words Museu De Villa printed near the entrance. It is a pretty iconic building and if you are walking along the coast, you will find it hard to miss.
The Museu De Villa is the town museum. The entrance to this museum is free. If you have time, I would recommend visiting because the museum chronicles the history of the town Cascais. It talks about the earthquake, the royalty, the palace, the notable structures around and more.
Many of the exhibits in the museum are interactive which makes it fun for people of all ages. It is surprisingly one of the fun things to do in Cascais.
5. Citadel Of Cascais
The Citadel of Cascais is a short walk away from the main city. You have to walk upslope but it is not hard. The citadel can easily be seen from your walking path and we expected to see an ancient structure inside. Instead we were greeted with a surprisingly modern courtyard with an interesting art display.
There are many art displays in different rooms along the citadel courtyard. There is also a restaurant that you can chill at. Another surprise was the Pestana Cidadela Cascais which is a luxury hotel that is situated in the citadel itself.
If you walk along the courtyard, you will catch a glimpse of the old moat and you can see how the walls of the citadel were erected. Once you see this, walk around the outside of the citadel to catch some spectacular views of the coast.
6. Museum Condes De Castro Guimarães
Entrance ticket: 5 Euros per person, children: free
One of the most interesting places that we visited during our time in Cascais was the Museum Condes De Castro Guimarães. This iconic building can be seen the moment you head out of the Cascais Marina and walk along the main road.
The initial façade of yellow flanked by gardens doesn’t show you just how big the house is. As you walk towards the Santa Marta cove, you can see the whole length of it and truly appreciate the magnificence of the structure.
The Count of Castro Guimaraes after whom the museum is named was the person who bequeathed the building to the city. Today, the iconic house and the gardens are open to the public. The museum is charged but the park has free access to all who wish to use it.
I highly recommend either visiting this house or the Santa Maria house museum because they give you an idea of Portuguese architecture, decorating style and a great deal of history of the region. If you have the time, visit them both.
We unfortunately did not have time and only visited the Museum Condes de Castro Guimaraes. It was one of the top things to do in Cascais, at least on our list because of how magnificent it looked from the outside. We were not disappointed.
Just note that this is not a place that is wheelchair accessible. There are many steps and you do need to watch your step. We kept our stroller outside and carried the kids whenever necessary.
7. Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
Another great museum in Cascais that you can also visit for free is the Santa Marta Lighthouse museum. It is a very small museum but it is very cool. It talks about the way lighthouses function and the various lighthouses that serve to protect the coast of Lisbon. The Santa Marta Lighthouse is just one of them.
One of the cool activities here is to see how the light from one single small bulb is magnified so that it reaches far out to sea. You can then head to the room next door where there is a documentary about the lighthouse. Just note that the documentary is only in Portuguese with no subtitles.
8. Santa Maria House Museum
The Santa Maria house is located very close to the Sant Marta Lighthouse museum which makes it extremely convenient to visit if you are short on time and want to see as much as you can, then this is definitely one of the museums that should be on your list.
The Santa Maria house was built in the 19th century. It is large and grandiose. The house was actually constructed by an Irish millionaire and has a lot of different architectural aspects that visitors find interesting. Unfortunately for us we reached here during the lunch break and chose to visit the Museum Condes De Castro Guimarães instead.
Things To Do In Cascais, Portugal: The Natural Wonders
9. Explore The Beaches In Cascais
Praia da Ribeira is one of the closest beaches to the city of Cascais.
Most people come to visit this area of Portugal for its beaches and rightly so. We found that most of the beaches in Cascais were pristine and gorgeous. Even though we visited when the weather was rather cold, the girls managed to spend a great deal of time playing in the sand and overall enjoying the beach vibe with Shawn.
I on the other hand chose to wander around the promenade of the town. Its a great place for a nice leisurely walk especially during the early morning hours. In fact, it was one of my favorite things to do in Cascais.
10. Parque Marechal Carmona
Visiting Parque Marechal Carmona is one of the best outdoorsy things to do in Cascais.
Right next to the Museum Condes De Castro Guimarães is a large and gorgeous park called Parque Marechal Carmona. The park extends for quite a distance and has pretty much everything that you could need for a nice sunny day in Portugal.
The huge kids playground is always in use and is large enough to accommodate a number of children. It also has picnic tables where you can bring a picnic lunch too.
There’s even a kid’s library on the premises which is very popular among the locals. I particularly liked strolling through the area with kids. It provided a safe place for the kids to run around in and for it is very pretty. My advice is to head here in the afternoon hours when the sun is at its peak because most of the park has nice shade thanks to the numerous trees.
11. Boca Do Inferno
One of the most stellar natural attractions along the Cascais coast is the Boca do Inferno. This spot reminded me of both Angel Billabong and Broken beach in Indonesia.
Thankfully it is much easier to get to. If you are on foot all you have to do is walk up the coast till you reach it. It isn’t too strenuous a journey but it is an uphill one. So make sure you wear good shoes.
The view point to Boca do Inferno is free and you can catch a view of the the water crashing below you. It is one of the those places in the world where you can really admire the strength that the ocean possesses. That is why it is one of the most popular things to do in Cascais.
If you are hungry, you can also stop for a quick snack or an ice cream at one of the shops next to the view point. That’s where we stopped for lunch and in our case, a chance to get out of the rain.
12. Sunset Boat Ride With Drinks
⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5 (156 Reviews) Price: $43 per person Duration: 1.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Gate H of the Marina de Cascais Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Now most people choose to take boat trips from Lisbon but these are often very crowded and during peak season, you will land up on a crowded boat. These trips normally take you as far as Belem and back. The sunset boat ride from Cascais however takes you along the rugged coastline of Cascais and right up to the mountains of Sintra.
Sunset is the best time to enjoy these trips because the sun kissed coastline is beautiful. It is also serene and peaceful. Plus you can relax and see the coastline (that you probably walked on in the day) from a different perspective.
“The guide and boat captain were very warm and engaging. It was a simple and relaxed beautiful experience.”
Marcella (read more reviews now!)
Did I mention that you can do this while sipping on a glass of the local wine?
I always worry about it being chilly and not being able to stay on deck especially for these sunset tours. Luckily they have an indoor area which is warm.
13. Take A Fishing Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.1/5 (21 Reviews) Price: $82 per person Duration: 3 hours 📍Meeting Point: Gate H of the Marina de Cascais Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Now if you are looking for something different among the things to do in Cascais, I would recommend going on a fishing tour. Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience in the field because you will be provided with everything including instructions and fishing gear. All you have to do is meet your crew and captain at Marina De Cascais.
Once you get to the high seas, the captain will tell you all about the best fishing spots. Plus you will get a chance to enjoy the views as you cast off and wait for something to nibble at your bait. In addition to all the fishing gear, you will also be provided with snacks and drinks.
“Fantastic trip. Very entertaining crew and guides with extra attention to the kids on board. They knew all the local spots that worked for the weather conditions. João and Carlos made us feel like we were fishing with our buddies. Well worth the price.”
John (read more reviews now!)
The big bonus? You get to take whatever you catch home. That way the fresh cash of your day can become a part of your evening meal.
As you can see, there are tons of things to do in Cascais, Portugal. The best part is that there are activities for people of all ages. I especially like the fact that Cascais is a rather chill spot. It makes you feel unrushed and more inclined to relax and enjoy the scenery. This is why I highly recommend staying in the area rather than visiting as just part of a day trip.
Other Posts That You Will Find Interesting
Don’t Forget To Pin This Post
