Cascais: The Perfect Daytrip from Lisbon

Lisbon has so much culture, history and good food, it may be hard to get away to see other parts of the country. If you only have a short time in the country and want to see something other than Portugal’s largest city, nearby Cascais offers the perfect getaway.

The seaside town of Cascais can easily be reached by train from Lisbon in less than an hour, making it an easy option for a daytrip. The above-ground train takes you from the city center and through many interesting parts of town visitors would otherwise miss, giving you a more inclusive idea of life in Lisbon. As the train leaves the country’s capital, signs of big city life eventually give way to nature, and you find yourself surrounded by a landscape of beautiful greenery and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Cascais itself is a lovely seaside town along the Portuguese Riviera, drawing visitors from around the world. Unlike Lisbon, which sits along the Tagus River, Cascais is home to lovely sandy beaches providing the perfect day of rest and relaxation. You can stroll along the beachfront promenade to take in the view and along the way you can shop for local handicrafts or sample local cuisine.

Cascais isn’t just a beach lover’s paradise. While there you can take in Portuguese culture and history by visiting the city’s many museums, or you head to nearby Sintra where you’ll find many historically significant sites like Pena Palace and Sintra National Palace. Within Cascais itself is the iconic Casa Das Historias — Paula Rego, an iconic museum housing the works of prominent Portuguese-British artist, Paula Rego. The twin red pyramids of the museum were designed by architect Eduardo Souto de Moura and reflect the unique architecture found throughout the area, such as that of Sintra’s Pena Palace, which features multiple structures of various vibrant colors.