Cascais City
Coastal city in Lisbon, Portugal
Atlantic surf, a compact marina and seafood tascas send Lisbon day-trippers to Cascais; some cycle the coast to Sintra or watch cliffside blowholes at Boca do Inferno.
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Why Visit Cascais?#
Sunny promenades, a lively marina and easy access from Lisbon are big reasons to visit Cascais, with highlights including Boca do Inferno, Guincho Beach and the historic center’s seafood taverns. Surfing and sailing mix with pastel-filled cafés and the weekly market for a coastal‑Portuguese rhythm, and grilled sardines and fresh shellfish are local specialties best enjoyed on the seafront. Day trips to Sintra and Estoril keep cultural and natural options close at hand.
Best Things to Do in Cascais#
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Cascais Bucket List#
Boca do Inferno - Sea-eroded cliff chasm near Cascais with walkways and dramatic surf views.
Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães - Seaside museum housed in a historic villa showcasing art, furniture, and ceramics.
Cascais Marina and promenade - Pleasant marina area with cafés, boats, and a coastal walking route.
Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum - Small maritime museum inside an 18th century lighthouse with local seafaring exhibits.
Parque Marechal Carmona - Shaded park near the museum with ponds, sculptures, and quiet picnic spots.
Guincho Beach lookout - Windy Atlantic beach north of Cascais favored by surfers and dramatic coastal photography.
Sintra - Palaces, Moorish castle ruins, and forested hills reachable by short train from Cascais.
Lisbon day excursion - Quick train ride to Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, museums, and riverside attractions.
Best Time to Visit Cascais#
Cascais enjoys mild, breezy weather most of the year; summers are warm and pleasant for beaches. Winters are cool and wetter, while spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
June - August
17 - 27°C (63 - 81°F)
Warm, breezy summers ideal for surfing, beaches and late outdoor dining - hardest crowd in August but still pleasant overall.
December - February
8 - 15°C (46 - 59°F)
Mild, damp winters with fewer tourists; coastal walks are refreshing but rain gear is necessary on many days often too.
March - May, September - November
12 - 22°C (54 - 72°F)
Blooming gardens and pleasant temperatures make shoulder months great for sightseeing, wine tours and fewer queues at attractions generally too.
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (655 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 7 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Cascais#
Cascais is a coastal town west of Lisbon and is best reached from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport. The quickest, lowest-cost way is to get to Cais do Sodré in Lisbon and take the Linha de Cascais commuter train directly to Cascais station.
Humberto Delgado Airport - Lisbon (LIS): Cascais has no airport of its own; the nearest international airport is Lisbon (LIS), about 30-40 km away. From Lisbon airport you can take Metro (red line) and transfer to the green line (or use the AeroBus/taxi) to reach Cais do Sodré station; total journey time to Cais do Sodré is generally 35-50 minutes depending on route, then take the frequent commuter train to Cascais (see below). A taxi directly from the airport to Cascais typically takes about 25-40 minutes depending on traffic and costs more than public transport (expect roughly €25-€40).
Train: The Linha de Cascais commuter train runs from Cais do Sodré (Lisbon) to Cascais station. Trains are frequent (roughly every 20-30 minutes in daytime) and the journey takes about 30-40 minutes; single fares are inexpensive (around €2-€3) when using a Viva Viagem card.
Bus: Scotturb operates bus routes connecting Cascais with Lisbon and surrounding towns (including Sintra); buses are useful for routes not covered by the train and for travel outside train hours.
How to Get Around Cascais#
Cascais is easiest to reach by train from Lisbon Cais do Sodré, with frequent services and short journey times. Within Cascais the town centre and seafront are compact and best explored on foot; use buses or taxis for side trips to Sintra or more distant beaches.
- CP Linha de Cascais (commuter train) (€2-€3) - The commuter train from Cais do Sodré to Cascais runs frequently and takes about 30-40 minutes. It’s the most reliable and scenic public-transport option for getting from Lisbon to Cascais; buy a Viva Viagem reloadable card for fares and transfers.
- Metro + train (from airport) (€3-€6 (combined)) - From Lisbon airport take the metro (red line) and transfer to the green line to reach Cais do Sodré, then the Cascais train. Total travel time including transfers is typically 35-60 minutes depending on connections.
- Taxi / ride-hail (€25-€40) - Taxis or ride-hail services offer direct door-to-door travel from Lisbon airport to Cascais in about 25-40 minutes. They’re convenient with luggage or late arrivals but significantly more expensive than the train.
- Scotturb buses (€2-€6) - Scotturb runs buses between Cascais, Sintra and parts of Lisbon; useful for destinations not on the rail line or for late-night travel when trains are less frequent.
- Walking - Cascais town centre and the seafront are very walkable - promenades, beaches and the marina are best explored on foot. Walking is the recommended way to enjoy the town itself.
Where to Stay in Cascais#
Cascais centre / Marina - €40-120/night
Cascais has several affordable guesthouses and small hotels near the marina and beaches. Book early in summer; options are fewer during peak season.
Local guesthouses and hostels - Small, affordable stays near the marina
Hotel Baia - Central, modestly priced seafront hotel
Marina / Cascais centre - €90-220/night
Mid-range hotels sit close to Cascais marina and beaches; expect modern rooms, good breakfasts, and easy access to trains to Lisbon and Sintra.
Vila Galé Cascais - Comfortable, family-friendly hotel
The Farol Hotel - Boutique hotel near the lighthouse
Cascais promenade / Citadel - €180-400/night
Luxury choices include renovated historic properties and high-end boutique hotels with sea views, fine dining, and concierge services for day trips.
Pestana Cidadela Cascais - Upscale hotel in a historic citadel
Luxury villas and boutique options - Premium services and seaside views
Where to Eat in Cascais#
Cascais serves fresh Atlantic seafood, grilled fish and coastal Portuguese plates-many restaurants cluster along the marina and clifftop promenades.
- Mar do Inferno - Classic Cascais seafood institution
- O Pescador (search) - Family-run fish dishes
- Casa da Guia restaurants (search) - Varied dining overlooking the sea
For lighter stops, try Cascais’ cafés and gelato shops after exploring the marina and beachfront promenades.
- Santini - Famed Italian gelato available in Cascais
- Old-town cafés (search) - Portuguese pastries and espresso stops
- Local patisseries (search) - Pasteis and sweet specialties
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cascais’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Cascais#
Cascais offers a mix of seaside boutiques, artisanal shops and a regular municipal market (Mercado da Vila) for fresh produce and local foods. The historic centre has small independent stores and designer shops. For larger shopping centres, Lisbon is an easy train ride away if you need big-brand retail or malls.
Nightlife in Cascais#
Nightlife picks up in summer around the marina and the historic centre, with bars, live music and seaside restaurants staying open late. Outside peak season evenings are quieter but there are still good wine bars and pubs.
