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Cascais – what to see and what to do in the Lisbon area
If you're planning to visit Lisbon and wondering what to see in the area, this post is for you. It’s no exaggeration to say that Cascais has stolen our hearts!
The town is located just 30 minutes by train from Lisbon and is completely different from the Portuguese capital. The seaside atmosphere, picturesque houses, vibrant colors, and delicious local food make it unique. If you have the chance, I wholeheartedly recommend skipping one day (or even half a day!) in Lisbon and coming here instead.
Cześc! Z tej strony Roksana – o podróżach i Włoszech piszę od niedawna, bo od 2024 roku.
Jeśli podoba Ci się ten wpis, chciałabym Cię zaprosić na mojego Instagrama – odwiedzaj ze mną ciekawe miejsca w Europie, odkrywaj kulturę Włoch i sprawdź inspirujące relacje z podróży.
The history of Cascais
The history of Cascais is impressive. What doesn't this town have? The largest casino in Europe, James Bond, a refuge for aristocrats, kings, and the first electric lights!
It turns out that you could make movies about this small, unassuming town.
In short – the development of Cascais dates back to the 12th century. Initially, the town lived off fish production, which also supplied Lisbon. Cascais was initially dependent on the neighboring town of Sintra, but in 1364, that changed. Since then, Cascais – officially recognized as a city – expanded and grew in importance.
In 1870, Cascais underwent another transformation, thanks to the royal family that reigned at the time and began to enjoy the charms of Cascais. The town became a meeting place for the aristocracy and a fashionable destination. Eight years later, the first electric lights in Portugal were installed here. To this day, Cascais is considered one of the wealthiest municipalities in Portugal.
Even today, the city stands out for its architecture and is very well-maintained.
Cascais is also home to the former Estoril Casino, which... inspired the novel Casino Royale. Moreover, if we believe the stories about Cascais, in the past.
How to get to Cascais
You can easily reach Cascais by train from Lisbon. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on the station you choose. I recommend Cais do Sodré. Tickets can be bought at the station for just a few euros, and the journey itself is very pleasant.
I recommend combining a visit to Cascais with a trip to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Cabo da Roca, czyli najdalej na zachód wysuniętym punktem lądu w Europie.
What to see in Cascais
Cascais is such a small town that I recommend coming here with a relaxed mindset. I didn't plan an itinerary because it's really not necessary. It's wonderful to stroll through the colorful streets, sit on the beach, or enjoy a delicious lunch.
The holiday vibe and seaside atmosphere invite relaxation. If you’ve been intensely sightseeing in Lisbon, Cascais is the perfect place to unwind. Below are a few places that Cascais is famous for.
Colorful streets and houses
Parque Marechal Carmona
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
Casa de Santa María
Paredão de Cascais
Praia da Rainha Beach
Cascais Marina
Where to eat in Cascais
In Cascais, we went for lunch at the restaurant A Nova Estrela. The place is known for its Portuguese cuisine. The local food was delicious, the restaurant was tiny, and the atmosphere was great. The service was very friendly, and they truly made our time here wonderful.
I would even dare to say that, when it comes to Portuguese cuisine, this was the best place during our stay in Lisbon. We ordered grilled octopus (Polvo à Lagareiro) and roasted codfish with potatoes (Bacalhau assado com batata a murro).
Delicious food, however, wasn’t everything. When we went to pay, we were surprised to find that the bill came with a Polaroid photo of us as a keepsake. It was something incredible – earlier, one of the waitresses had taken our picture, and when we were paying, it made us feel so nice.
And these are the moments and experiences that we bring back from our vacations and will remember. It’s not always about ticking off landmarks, but it’s these kinds of places that really warm your heart!
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