Cascais

Beach lovers rejoice! Your Cascais holiday rental puts you within easy reach of a host of stunning sands. This part of the Portuguese coastline has some of the best beaches in the country, from cool surf spots to quiet bays. 

If you want to stick to central Cascais, try Praia da Rainha, a sheltered cove overlooked by a pretty town square; Praia da Ribeira, a wide stretch of golden sand next to the harbour; or Praia Duquesa, crowned by the impressive Palace of the Dukes of Palmela. All offer crystal clear water and a fun crowd, steps away from top-notch restaurants and bars.

Proper wild beauty is found outside of town. At Praia do Guincho, strong winds make for epic surfing and windsurfing. While rugged Praia da Torre sits in the shadow of a 16th century fortress and a glorious saltwater swimming pool!

Your villa in Cascais is a gateway to all kinds of fun! Start with a walk around the town’s colourful alleys and seaside boulevards. There are myriad treats for the eye, from pastel-coloured houses draped in bright bougainvillea to 15th century ramparts overlooking the ocean. 

To up your culture quota even further, hit the town’s museums and historic villas before checking out the gleaming yachts at the town’s marina. Once you’re done, visit one of the equally gleaming bars for sunset drinks and petiscos (Portuguese tapas).

The surrounding coastline is made for summer strolls. Follow the beachfront path that runs alongside beaches and sea defences towards neighboring Estoril, taking in the stunning views as you go. If you wear yourself out, you can jump on the coastal train back to Cascais.

Our Cascais rental properties are perfectly placed for a spot of retail therapy. This charming town is full of little shops selling everything from clothes to gourmet food to art and crafts. Souvenir hunters will find a world of accessories made from cork, and vibrant ceramics and hand painted tiles are another big hit.

For browsing with a dramatic backdrop, you can’t do better than Casa da Guia, a clifftop mansion housing chic shops and a gallery. Looking for designer labels and stylish homewares? Roam the cobbled lanes of the Old Town for the most elegant of boutiques.

Cascais is a town that loves its seafood and there are numerous places to sample the goods. Hole up in a candlelit bistro in the Old Town, eat fish with a view at the harbour or tuck into prawns and lobster at the town’s covered market, Mercado da Vila. Local favourites include grilled octopus and succulent clams cooked with white wine.  

Want to self-cater back at your holiday villa? Stock up on cheese, cured meats and roast suckling pig at the town’s delis and food halls. Or hit the local pastry shops for all manner of sweet treats. Portuguese goodies don’t start and end with pastel de nata. Try areias, a buttery shortbread biscuit, or Cascais nozes, a sweet nutty cake.

If it’s home comforts you’re looking for, our family-friendly villas in Cascais offer all that and more. Private or communal swimming pools ensure that the kids have plenty of space to splash around, while fully equipped kitchens make family dining a piece of cake.

There’s so much to see and do in Cascais that the kids will be itching to get out and about. Why not start with a boat trip to see the waterfront, lighthouse and cliffs from a different perspective?

Or, for more of a workout, head down the coast to school the kids in the art of kitesurfing, surfing or diving!