“super holiday, fabulous location”
28 years ago my family moved to Cascais and lived there for 3 wonderful years. this was our first visit back to the area - a trip down memory lane. Obviously a great deal has changed in that time, more building, more roads, shops have changed, but the underlying ambience of Cascais and the whole area remains the same. Vila Gale Cascais was an ideal location, situated by the lighthouse between Cascais and the Boca do Inferno, both within easy walking distance. The coast road has been improved, widened and a cycle track added all the way to Guincho beach, making this a most pleasant area to spend time exploring. The restaurants in the centre of Cascais are still excellent value for money for authentic Portuguese cuisine. We hired a car and so were able to explore the exquisite Sintra Hills and Cabo da Roca. The views from the top of the Hills is breathtaking, whether viewed from Penina or the Moors Castle. We used the train to travel in to Lisbon along the coast, past Belem and the huge bridge over the River Tagus, and then walked round the Alfama and up to St Georges Castle. You get used to walking up and down a lot of hills in Portugal. We visited Guincho beach several times - it always was our favourite spot, and we have not changed our minds. The surrounding area is a national park and protected, providing a staggering raw natural beauty, waves crashing on to wide beach - utterly breathtaking.
Area recommendations
Sintra, Sintra Hills, The coast and the centre of Cascais. Lisbon is well worth a visit, especially the Baixa region and the Alfama - it is full of hustle and bustle and makes you appreciate the peace of the coast around Cascais.
When to go
April, May, June, avoid July and August - too hot - but September is good. However, around the Equinox thunderstorms are to be expected.
We hired a car, but there are regular local buses and the train service to Lisbon is frequent
Getting around
We hired a car at the airport, but Cascais has a regular bus service, and there are buses to outlying areas too. Bicycles can be hired and you can take advantage of the many miles of cycle tracks. there is also a frequent train service along the coast through Estoril to Lisbon which is very reasonably priced.
Dining
Cascais has many reasonably priced restaurants, 10 minute walk from Hotel Vila Gale Cascais. A wide variety of tastes are catered for, but portuguese seafood is fresh and simply cooked and good value.
Outdoors or beach
The Scenery is the star here. the coastline is dramatic and easily accessible for walking or cycling. The beaches are clean, though swimming is not recommended as there is a strong undertow, especially at Guincho, but just enjoy walking on the sand, watch the surfers (no life guards), and at the far end of the beach is a hidden cafe - magic. When you have had enough of the coast, take to the hills and explore the Sintra Hills, a national park. Roads are windy, and narrow, but traffic is light and once at the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views way to the north, across Lisbon and down to the south too. Explore Penina, Cabo da Roca, Capouchos monastery, Castelo dos Mouros and Pena Palace.
