This blog post is all about the top 11 things to do in Cascais Portugal.
If you’ve read our previous posts, you know that we are a vegan family of 4 that recently moved from Austin, Texas to Portugal. We have been staying in Cascais for over a week now while we look for a long term apartment in Lisbon. Cascais is an adorable little town full of surprises around every corner. From lovely flower covered corners to gorgeous azure Atlantic waters to castles and palaces, Cascais has it all! We have been on the go since we arrived and below is a list of our favorite things to do. These are our top 11 things to do in Cascais, Portugal!
where to stay in cascais
Check out this awesome list of places to stay in Cascais: HOTELS AND APARTMENTS IN CASCAIS, PORTUGAL
top 11 things to do in cascais portugal
- Mercado Da Vila – this open air market is open every day with local restaurants inside, but the lovely Farmer’s Market happens every Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The produce found here is top notch and full of flavor. Additionally, the colorful array of flowers is a feast for the eyes. To top it off, the prices are very affordable.
- Boardwalk from Cascais to Estoril – we have walked on this boardwalk numerous times. It’s a lovely, flat walk that follows the coastline and has gorgeous views of the beaches, rock outcroppings and an highly enjoyable ocean breeze. Go at sunset for an unforgettable experience! Our favorite beach along the boardwalk is Praia do Tamariz. This beach is larger than the others in the area with golden tan soft sand. The clear water entices you to dip your feet in. If you are brave and don’t mind cold water, you could go for a swim.
- Cidadela Art District – as you pass through the enchanting archway from the parking area to the inside of Cidadela Art District, you will be enamored with the unique and fun sculptures. There are huge heads, a rubix cube looking sculpture and huge binoculars. You can visit the studios and shops that are open. We bought a book at the adorable bookstore on the corner. The owner informed us about the used bookstore, Deja Lu, on the 2nd floor of the restaurant across the way. The used bookstore was a delight and the prices were extremely affordable. There was even an entire room dedicated to books in English.
PARKS: - Marechal Carmona Park – this is quite a gem of a park! Upon entering this lush, gigantic park, we were greeted by roosters crowing, ducks quacking and peacocks screaming from the treetops. The park is a lot bigger than what we had imagined while walking outside the entrance. There’s a lovely little duck pond near the entrance. As you walk further inside, you’ll walk by a kiosk selling snacks and drinks, a small children’s library, rose gardens, and a theatre. A little further away, there is a large rock to walk to the top for panoramic views of the park, and a spacious green area for lounging about while your kids play on the nearby playground.
- Casa Santa Marta and Museu Condes de Castro Guimaraes – this is a lovely palace and museum. While we haven’t visited the inside of these places, we have greatly admired the outside.
- Boca do Inferno – we leisurely walked approximately 1 mile from Cascais to Boca do Inferno. Boca do Inferno is a huge sea arch and cliff formation formed from the brutal Atlantic winds and waves. We visited two times, including one time at sunset with awe-inspiring vibrant shades of purple, orange and pink. This is a must-visit to gaze at the rock formations and think about how the ships navigated this way before modern technology.
- Any of the beautiful beaches along the boardwalk such as Praia Ribeira or Praia da Rainha – these beaches are extremely busy, especially on the weekends. We’ve found that a great time to visit is around 6:00 p.m. on a weekday. Our favorite beach in the area is Praia do Tamariz as it’s the largest and most spacious one in the area.
- Walking the trail behind Mercado Da Vila – we happened upon this lovely trail as we were walking around, looking for the area where the locals most likely live. We saw lovely tiered agricultural terraces while walking up the hill and knew that we had to take the street down to the trail for a closer look. We were mesmerized by the large, impressive plants – tomatoes, melons, herbs and fruit trees.
FOOD: - Eating at Tanah Vegan and Dona Flor – we have enjoyed several vegan burgers at Tanah Vegan. The beet one is our favorite and the kids greatly enjoyed the chocolate gelato. Dona Flor is simply sublime and is my favorite. From the adorable tropical decor to the ultra friendly ladies that run the restaurant to the delectable handmade food, this is a must visit!
- Walking the loop in Palmela Park – Fernando and I walk on the boardwalk pretty frequently, but we decided to take a detour under the bridge walkway to see what was on the other side. I’m so glad we did because we happened upon the captivating Palmela Park. We walked the loop past the amphitheatre and ropes course. We were mesmerized by the colossal eucalyptus trees and the vibrant array of flowers. It was an enjoyable short walk that I highly recommend!
- Enjoying a mineral water, espresso or juice at the little kiosk by the kids’ carousel while people watching and thinking about life. Fernando likes to get an espresso and sketch. I like to make notes, write down goals, drink a mineral water and sometimes just people watch. It’s definitely an interesting perspective on the Portuguese life.
other fun cascais activities
- Sailing trip
- Sintra, Cascais + Cabo da Roca tour (this one looks amazing!!)
- Hop on/Hop off bus tour
where to stay in cascais
- Hotel Baia (this hotel is in the best location in Cascais and right across from the beach)
- Legasea (this B&B is known for its relaxing atmosphere and amazing vegan/vegetarian food)
- Beach Studio (talk about location!!! A++)
- Albatroz Hotel (total splurge worthy luxe hotel right on the beach)
- Pergola Boutique Hotel (the most adorable hotel ever that’s right in the middle of town!!)
other tidbits about cascais:
Did I leave any of your favorite activities off the list? Some other activities that look like great fun that we didn’t do are: take a sailing class, rent a SUP, or rent a kayak. Kids love the obstacle course in the water near Praia Rainha and go to Casino Estoril (where the inspiration for James Bond came from). If our kids were younger, we would probably spend a lot of time at the adorable carousel near our rental apartment. Cascais is a gorgeous city filled with picturesque corners, alleyways and parks and is a perfect place for an awesome getaway. We are so excited to be in Portugal and cannot wait to explore more! If you are in Portugal or have been to Portugal, what are your favorite places?
This post was all about the Top 11 Things to Do in Cascais Portugal! What is your favorite thing to do in Cascais?
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OUR MUST-HAVE ITEMS:
- Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful for walking on cobblestone! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for walking in Portugal and Europe!
- Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
- North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – I seriously wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
- Osprey Day Pack – this is an awesome lightweight backpack that we can easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.
- N95 face mask – we bought a 50 pack of these before moving to Portugal. Until Covid is under control, we will continue to use face masks.
buy me a coffee 🙂
I recently started a Buy Me a Coffee profile so if you loved what you read and would like to support our creative endeavors, we would be grateful if you’d “buy us a coffee.” Well, in my case, a freshly squeezed Portuguese orange juice. Thanks! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/veganfamily
related posts
Here’s our post about our move to Portugal: MOVE TO PORTUGAL
Essential tips to take before our big move to Portugal: TIPS
My dream to live in Cascais. If plan works I will be there in 3 years
That’s awesome! I think you will love it here! Good luck! – Tara