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Deposits From €25pp When You Book Online
Why Visit Cascais?
Cascais is a coastal resort in west Portugal, just 30 kilometres from Lisbon. With an impressive background of being a small fishing village favoured by the Portuguese royal family for their summer getaway, Cascais is now a popular holiday spot and has been transformed to cater to tourists. It amazes all with its modern marina, beautiful beaches, and incredible wildlife from dolphins to eagles!
The town also offers many sightseeing opportunities, with historical sites including the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães - a luxurious palace turned museum filled with beautiful paintings, furniture, porcelain, and jewellery. Cascais is a place of astounding beauty from its golden sand beaches to the lush Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Here you’ll find the Boca do Infierno – a spectacular ‘roofless’ cave, popular with tourists wishing to watch waves crash against interesting rock formations.
Cascais offers a fantastic couple’s holiday with beautiful scenery, incredible wildlife, and intimate restaurants allowing you to feel like you’re in a world of your own. It’s also perfect for families, with an active beach scene offering anything from surfing lessons to whale watching!
Things to do in Cascais
Attractions
Make the most of your holiday to Cascais and get involved with its number of attractions.- Stroll around the charming Marechal Carmona Park
- Watch the sunset from Cresmina Beach
- Delve into the history of Cascais at Museo do Mar
- Surf the waves with Salty Souls Surf School
Nightlife
Cascais boasts a varied nightlife. Whether you want to dance the night away in the nightclubs or enjoy a chilled evening in a cocktail bar – the choice is yours!
Dining Out
The town homes traditional Portuguese restaurants where you can indulge in specialities such as São Jorge, a delicious cheese which is matured over several months! You’ll find more modern restaurants in the marina where you can enjoy tasty fresh seafood.
For Families
Cascais’ variety of landscapes are fantastic for family holidays. There’s something for both parents and children alike to enjoy, with opportunities to explore the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and boat trips to go dolphin and whale watching.
Beaches
Praia da Conceição is a great beach to visit, with a large stretch of sand to relax and sunbathe on, and lifeguarded calm waters for children. Praia do Guincho on the other hand is a wild beach with huge waves and strong winds – perfect for professional surfers!
Shopping
Cascais has an abundance of shopping opportunities. Go to the CascaisVilla mall for a wide range of shops selling beautiful clothes, crafts, homeware goods, jewellery and cosmetics. There is also the municipal market where you can buy delicious fresh local foods.
Festival of the Sea
During August Cascais hosts the Festival of the Sea. This event takes place over a 10-day period with concerts from Portugal’s best musical artists. On the last day there is a firework display as well as a parade in honour of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (Our Lady of the Navigators).
Best Time to Go
June to August is the best time to travel to Cascais if you’re planning on having a beach holiday, with hot dry weather and temperatures peaking in the high 20s. Spring and Autumn are a little cooler which is perfect for tourists who want to go exploring and sightseeing without the heat being too strenuous!
Local Info
Currency
Euro is used here so there’s no need to worry about conversion rates.
Time Zone
Cascais uses the same time zone as Ireland.
Getting around
There are regular flights to Lisbon from both Cork and Dublin with a flight time between 2.5-3 hours. Once at the airport, you can hire a car or get a transfer which will get you to Cascais within 30-65 minutes. The town is quite small so a lot can be reached on foot, but there are also taxis, buses, trains and even free bicycles to hire for those aged 16 and over!
