In the 19th century, this seaside town was the summer getaway of Portuguese royalty, and you can still admire their imposing mansions as you walk along the waterfront today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Beyond the beaches<\/a>, Cascais is full of attractions, from art museums to relaxing parks and a lively food market.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re planning a day trip to Cascais, here are the best tips on what to do and where to eat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Photo Credit: Joana Taborda<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One of the main reasons people visit Cascais is to hang out by the beach. There are five beaches in the center of Cascais, so you can choose which one you like. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Near the train station, you\u2019ll find Praia da Concei\u00e7\u00e3o<\/strong> and Praia da Duquesa<\/strong>. These two beaches are right next to each other and provide easy access to bars and ice cream kiosks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A bit more hidden is Praia da Rainha<\/strong>, which translates as Queen\u2019s Beach. It used to be a private beach for Queen Dona Am\u00e9lia, but these days everyone is welcome here. Because it\u2019s so small, it gets crowded very quickly, so we suggest going here later in the evening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Opposite the town hall, there\u2019s Praia da Ribeira, also known as Praia dos Pescadores<\/strong>. There are a lot of fishing boats in this area, so it\u2019s not the best for swimming, but there\u2019s plenty of room to bask in the sun. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When the tide is low, you can also relax at the tiny cove of Praia de Santa Marta<\/strong> near the marina, or sit by the rocks and enjoy the view of the lighthouse.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Insider\u2019s tip: <\/strong>Every year in August, locals head to the promenade opposite Praia dos Pescadores to see Festas do Mar<\/a>, a free music festival which ends with a fireworks show.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Once you\u2019ve seen the beach, take some time to wander around the old town. Most tourists head straight to Rua Frederico da Arouca or Largo Lu\u00eds de Cam\u00f5es, but it\u2019s worth taking a detour and exploring all the other side streets. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Rua da Saudade, for example, is much quieter and hides a stairway to Praia da Rainha, while Rua Afonso Sanches is full of local restaurants. As you walk, make sure to look down and admire the traditional mosaic floors, too. The best example is the wavy pattern near the town hall and the Ba\u00eda de Cascais.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Most cultural sights in Cascais are within a small quarter known as Bairro dos Museus<\/a>. The main highlights are the Casa das Hist\u00f3rias de Paula Rego<\/a>, the Museum Condes de Castro Guimar\u00e3es and the Santa Marta Lighthouse. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You can buy individual tickets for each place or get a one-day ticket<\/a> for \u20ac13 (available at the museums themselves), which gives you access to all the attractions. It\u2019s a good option if you plan on visiting more than two museums.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You may not own a yacht, but you can always pretend you do as you walk past the Cascais Marina<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Set below the Citadel of Cascais, it\u2019s one of the largest marinas in Portugal and hosts several sailing events throughout the year. There are also a few bars and restaurants here, but they\u2019re not as lively as the ones in the center.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Parque Marechal Carmona is the perfect place to escape the crowds. Inside, you\u2019ll find two playgrounds, a kiosk overlooking a pond, and plenty of grass space to sit on. If you\u2019re lucky, you might even spot a peacock or two during your stroll. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are several entrances to the park, but the main ones are next to the Museum Condes de Castro Guimar\u00e3es and the one at Avenida da Rep\u00fablica.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You can\u2019t leave Cascais without visiting Boca do Inferno<\/a>. Set a few minutes away from the town center, this astonishing cliff formation offers the best sea views in town. The cliffs form an open cave, and when the waves get rough, water splashes out everywhere. That\u2019s why people call it Boca do Inferno, which means Hell\u2019s Mouth in Portuguese.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Insider\u2019s tip: <\/strong>If you have time, we recommend renting a bike and following the coastal trail from Boca do Inferno to Guincho.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Like most food markets in Lisbon<\/a>, this one has been completely renovated and is now home to a variety of bars and restaurants. It\u2019s quiet during most of the week, but visit on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, and you\u2019ll experience the traditional farmer\u2019s market. During these two days, the outdoor plaza comes alive with colorful stands of vegetables, fruit, and delicious cheese.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Insider\u2019s tip:<\/strong> The Cascais Market hosts several events throughout the year, from craft beer festivals to Christmas fairs. Make sure to check their Facebook page<\/a> before you go.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Along the coast of Cascais, there\u2019s a promenade lined with bars and caf\u00e9s, called the pared\u00e3o<\/em>. It starts behind Praia da Concei\u00e7\u00e3o in Cascais and stretches for nearly three kilometers ending at S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o do Estoril. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even in the winter, this is a favorite spot for runners and dog walkers. If you\u2019re up for it, after visiting Cascais, you can follow the promenade to Estoril and catch the train back to Lisbon from there.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When the sun goes down, Cascais becomes much quieter. You can take this opportunity to take a stroll by the beach or get a late-night gelato from Santini<\/a>. Created by an Italian immigrant back in 1949, this ice cream shop is a local favorite, and it\u2019s open until midnight!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are also many bars in Cascais where you can grab a drink. From Wednesday to Sunday, head to the Cascais Jazz Club<\/a> and enjoy their live music sessions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you ended up in Estoril, you should visit the Casino<\/a>. Besides the gaming rooms, they also host several shows, so it\u2019s worth keeping an eye on their agenda.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There\u2019s a direct train connection between Lisbon and Cascais. The train departs from Cais do Sodr\u00e9, and from there it\u2019s a pleasant trip to Cascais as you travel along the coast. It takes around 35 minutes to get from Lisbon to Cascais, which is the last stop.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A ticket costs \u20ac2.25 each way, but if you plan on using the train often, we recommend getting the Zapping card<\/a>. With this card, tickets will be cheaper, and you can use it all over Lisbon for bus, metro, and trams. You can buy both of them from the machines or the ticket office by the train station.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-1.png\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat to do in Cascais<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
1. Relax by the beach<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Praia](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-praia-da-rainha-1.jpg\")
![\"Praia](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-praia-dos-pescadores-1.jpg\")
2. Wander around the old town<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-town-hall-1.jpg\")
3. Explore the museum quarter<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-museum-condes-de-castro-guimaraes-1.jpg\")
4. Check out the yachts at the Cascais Marina<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
5. Take a stroll through Parque Marechal Carmona<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"We](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-parque-marechal-carmona-1.jpg\")
6. Admire the views from Boca do Inferno<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
7. Visit the Cascais Market<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
8. Follow the promenade to Estoril<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Things to do in Cascais at Night<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Gelato](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-santini-gelato-1.jpg\")
Where to Eat in Cascais <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Mar](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-mar-do-inferno-1.jpg\")
![\"We](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascais-day-trip-house-of-wonders-1.jpg\")
How to get from Lisbon to Cascais<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n