Charming Cascais: A Lovely Coastal Retreat

There is a lot to love about charming Cascais, a picturesque seaside retreat only 40 minutes on the train from Lisbon. 

Whilst my family were galavanting around Southern Spain, we flew to Lisbon early for some relaxation on the Portuguese seaside. It was a toss up between charming Cascais on the “Portuguese Riviera” or chic Comporta dubbed as the “Hamptons of Europe.” A tough decision. Logistic-wise, Cascais was easier thanks to direct trains, whereas Comporta requires a car. It is a no brainer – charming Cascais for the win!

Picturesque Old Town & Yellow Street

Nestled on the wild Atlantic Coast about 30km north of Lisbon, there is a lot to love about charming Cascais. The Old Town, Cascais Marina, and Yellow Street (Rua Amarela) are all picturesque and quaint, filled with bustling restaurants, souvenir shops, bars, and cafes. Vibrant yet laidback and relaxed, Cascais reminds of a lot of Sitges just outside of Barcelona.

We stayed two nights at an AirBnB in Old Town and enjoyed everything at our doorstep. Rua Amarela was around the corner. Praia da Ribeira was just a few blocks away. And it is a short walk to the train station.  From the Japanese concept coffee at The Coffee to the fantastic stonebaked pizza at Souldough Pizza, spicy Mexican at Chac Mool, minimalist design at Moules & Gin, and smashed burgers at Bullguer, the food scene in Cascais was fantastic! 

Perfect Coves and  Beaches

With Praia da Ribeira, Praia da Rainha, and Praia da Ribeira de Cascais, there is no shortage of golden beaches here in Cascais. Most of these are sheltered bays with gentle waves and soft sand. It is perfect for kids. The cool Atlantic Ocean was refreshing against the blazing sun. As it was peak tourist season, the beaches were busy with day trippers, local families, and holiday-makers. The Sun is Shining, and the Weather is Sweet, as Bob Marley would sing. 

​​Paredão do Cascais-Estoril

From Lanzarote to Madeira to Paphos and Miami, we love coastal walks and easy runs along scenic promenades. And the gorgeous promenade along the Atlantic Coast did not disappoint. On an overcast morning, we set off on a walk to Boca do Inferno, a dramatic cavernous hole where the strong Atlantic waves eroded the cliffside. A popular tourist spot with stunning coastal views and several cafes and eateries. Along the way there are some beautiful viewpoints, historic lighthouses, grand villas, and museums including Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães and Casa Museu de Santa Marta. We continued walking to Casa da Guia, a small seafront shopping and dining destination. Here we had a fantastic sushi lunch at LovIt on the terrace overlooking the ocean. 

The 3km Cascais – Estroil promenade (​​Paredão do Cascais-Estoril) is equally beautiful, if more busy. We enjoyed morning runs and  evening strolls from the Hotel Palacio Estoril where we stayed for two nights to enjoy the pool and old-school atmosphere of a historic hotel. Estoril lacks the charm and vibe of Cascais as it is more residential. Estoril Casino was the inspiration behind Ian Fleming’s James Bond series of spy novels. In fact, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed at Hotel Palacio. 

Be sure to stay in charming Cascais for a long weekend as this charming little coastal town has a lot to love.  After several nights in charming Cascais, it was time to head back to Lisbon to meet up with the family.