Is Cascais Worth Visiting? An Honest Answer

Is Cascais worth visiting? Yes. This elegant seaside town near Lisbon has sandy beaches, a pretty old town, a marina and a wild coastline nearby, all easy to reach by train. It’s more polished than authentic, though. Here’s an honest look.

Quick answer: yes, as a day trip from Lisbon (about 40 minutes by train) or a relaxed seaside base. Enjoy the beaches, the old town, the promenade to Estoril and the coast road to Guincho. The downsides: it’s pricey, busy on summer weekends, and the town beaches are small.

Why it’s worth it

• Beaches: see the best beaches near Cascais.
• The old town and the citadel.
• The coast: Boca do Inferno, Guincho and Cabo da Roca. See Guincho.
• Easy access: trains from Lisbon run along the coast.

The downsides

• Price: one of the more expensive areas near Lisbon.
• Crowds: summer weekends are busy.
• Less local: more international and upmarket.

Plan your visit

See the Cascais day trip, where to stay in Cascais and Cascais vs Lisbon.

More: Sintra vs Cascais and things to do in Cascais.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.