Sitting along the stunning Portuguese Riviera, Cascais has evolved from a charming fishing village into an elegant coastal resort town. The town's unique blend of cosmopolitan sophistication and authentic Portuguese heritage makes for a fascinating day trip or memorable holiday destination.

This guide provides four detailed maps to help you get the most from your time in Cascais. The first map details the main sights of the town, ideal if you are planning a day trip to Cascais. The second map shows the location of the finest beaches, and the third map covers accommodation options. The final map highlights attractions beyond Cascais, perfect for visitors wanting to explore the surrounding region, including the majestic Sintra mountains and scenic coastal routes.
Related articles: Guide to Cascais

The interactive map below shows the location of the main sights of Cascais - perfect for planning your day trip to this delightful coastal town. (Note: zoom in or out to see all of the points)

Legend: 1) Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães 2) Casa de Santa Maria 3) Boca do Inferno 4) Praia da Ribeira 5) Marina de Cascais 6) Largo Luís de Camões 7) Praia da Rainha 8) Praia da Conceição 9) Casa das Histórias Paula Rego 10) Forte de Nossa Senhora 11) Igreja da Assunção 12) Palácio dos Duques de Palmela 13) Farol de Santa Marta 14) Museu do Mar 15) Centro Cultural de Cascais 16) Parque Marechal Carmona 17) Praça 5 de Outubro 18) Palácio Seixas 19) Piscina Oceânica Alberto Romano

 

 

Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
This romantic 1920s palace blends Neo-Gothic and Renaissance styles, with ornate turrets, carved stone balconies, and decorative battlements. Inside rooms are staged with period furniture and includes Portugal's rarest illuminated manuscript, the 16th-century "Book of Hours."

Casa de Santa Maria
Built in 1902, this delightful coastal mansion incorporates magnificent 18th-century tiles rescued from a Lisbon convent. The mansion stands as a perfect marriage of Portuguese and English architectural styles with each room offering distinct sea views.

Boca do Inferno
Atlantic waves surge through this natural limestone arch, creating dramatic displays in its 20-meter chasm. Local fishermen named this formation "Hell's Mouth" for its thunderous roar during high tide.

Marina de Cascais
A 300-berth marina and central hub for high-end dining and maritime activities, including sailing schools and yacht charters.

Largo Luís de Camões
The lively heart of Cascais bustles with restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops. This elegant 19th-century square is framed by Art Nouveau buildings and traditional calçada Portuguesa paving.

Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
A distinctive red pyramid building exhibiting Paula Rego's feminist-themed artwork. The museum's bold architecture complements the provocative paintings and prints within.

Cascais Citadel
This 15th-century fortress complex features preserved artillery batteries and guard towers along the Atlantic coast. Today, contemporary art galleries occupy the historic military spaces.

Parque Marechal Carmona
A delightful park where peacocks roam this former aristocratic estate among centuries-old trees and rose gardens. The park combines formal gardens with family-friendly spaces, including a duck pond, children's playground and picnic areas.

Farol Museu de Santa Marta
This working 1868 lighthouse displays original Fresnel lenses and fascinating maritime artifacts. The museum chronicles Portuguese lighthouse technology while still guiding ships along the coast today

The Cascais region offers three distinct coastal and beach regions, all detailed in the following map.

Within walking distance of Cascais town centre, you'll find easily accessible beaches (marked in green) - perfect for families and those seeking convenience. Heading east along the Portuguese Riviera towards Lisbon (marked in yellow), you'll discover glorious sandy beaches with fantastic amenities that are easily reached by train. For a more dramatic setting, venture north along the Serra de Sintra coastline (marked in blue), where wild, natural beaches are framed by rugged cliffs and are often favoured by surfers for their powerful waves.

Legend: 1) Praia da Conceição & Praia da Duquesa 2) Praia da Rainha 3) Praia da Ribeira 4) Praia do Tamariz 5) Praia das Moitas 6) Praia de Carcavelos 7) Praia de Santo Amaro (Oeiras Beach) 8) Praia de São Pedro do Estoril 9) Praia da Torre 10) Praia de Paço de Arcos 11) Praia do Guincho 12) Praia da Ursa 13) Praia da Adraga 14) Praia das Maçãs 15) Praia Grande

Cascais offers an impressive range of accommodation options that reflect its evolution from fishing village to sophisticated coastal resort.

The historic centre provides charming boutique hotels housed in converted mansions and traditional Portuguese townhouses, many offering stunning sea views and period features. Along the Atlantic coastline, you'll find larger luxury resorts and spa hotels, while the quieter residential areas offer excellent value guest houses and holiday apartments, perfect for longer stays and families.

Our interactive map, powered by Booking.com, displays current accommodation options across Cascais. You can adjust the dates to see real-time prices and availability for your planned visit.

Booking.com

Cascais is an ideal holiday destination that offers far more than just beautiful beaches. Below is a suggested one-week itinerary that balances coastal charm, cultural sites, and historic attractions, all shown on the following map.

Day 1 – Discover Cascais's historic centre, stroll to the dramatic Boca do Inferno cliffs, and enjoy the scenic beachfront promenade to Estoril.

Day 2 – Unwind with a beach day at either the pristine Praia da Duquesa or the lively Praia de Carcavelos.

Day 3 – Explore Lisbon's historic heart, wandering through the atmospheric Alfama and Baixa districts, visiting Lisbon Castle, Se Cathedral, and admiring Baixa's grand plazas.

Day 4 – Journey to Sintra to experience the magical Palácio da Pena and the medieval Castelo dos Mouros.

Day 5 – Explore the Serra da Sintra coastline, including Praia do Guincho, the dramatic Cabo da Roca cliffs, and hidden Praia da Ursa. With a car, extend your journey to the charming coastal towns of Praia das Maçãs and Azenhas do Mar.

Day 6 – Visit Lisbon's historic Belém district, home to some of Portugal's most iconic monuments.

Day 7 – Return to Sintra to explore more palaces: the mystical Quinta da Regaleira, romantic Palácio de Monserrate, and either the historic Palácio Nacional de Sintra or elegant Palácio Biester.

For a detailed guide to this suggested itinerary, please see our article "1 Week in Cascais". The highlights are shown in the map below:

Legend: 1) Cascais 2) Museu Condes de Castro 3) Boca do Inferno 4) Estoril Casino 5) Praia da Duquesa 6) Praia de Carcavelos 7) Alfama district 8) Lisbon castle 9) Baixa district 10) Palácio da Pena 11) Castelo dos Mouros 12) Praia do Guincho 13) Cabo da Roca 14) Praia da Ursa 15) Belém district 16) Torre de Belém 17) Quinta da Regaleira 18) Palácio de Monserrate

The Cascais region blends royal heritage with natural wonders, from Sintra's fairy-tale palaces to the dramatic cliffs of Azenhas do Mar. While easily explored by car, this area holds both famous landmarks and hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Our interactive map highlights 20 outstanding locations that capture the region's unique character, from medieval castles to pristine beaches.

Legend: 1) Cabo da Roca 2) Praia do Guincho 3) Praia da Ursa 4) Convento dos Capuchos (Sintra) 5) Palácio da Pena (Sintra) 6) Castelo dos Mouros (Sintra) 7) Quinta da Regaleira (Sintra) 8) Palácio de Monserrate (Sintra) 9) Praia das Maçãs 10) Azenhas do Mar 11) Santuario da Peninha 12) Farol do Cabo Raso 13) Palácio de Queluz 14) Adega Regional de Colares 15) Praia da Adraga 16) N247 scenic drive 17) Lagoa Azul 18) Piscina Oceânica de Oeiras 19) Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras 20) Casino Estoril

Sights of the region
Cabo da Roca
Continental Europe's westernmost point soars 140 meters above the Atlantic waves. This rugged headland's historic lighthouse and dramatic cliffs have witnessed countless sunsets since Roman times.

Convento dos Capuchos
This mysterious 16th-century cork-lined monastery burrows into the Sintra forest. Tiny moss-covered cells and low passages reveal how Franciscan monks lived in extreme austerity among ancient oaks.

Palácio da Pena
This flamboyant Romanticist palace crowns Sintra's highest peak with its candy-colored towers and domes. King Ferdinand II transformed a modest monastery into Portugal's most fantastical royal residence.

Castelo dos Mouros
Ancient stone walls snake along Sintra's mountaintop ridges, offering panoramic coastal views. This 8th-century Moorish fortress tells tales of medieval battles through its restored ramparts and towers.

Quinta da Regaleira
This enigmatic estate combines Gothic towers with mysterious underground grottoes and spiral wells. Carved stone and lush gardens hide symbols of alchemy, masonry, and the Knights Templar.

Palácio de Monserrate
This exotic summer palace blends Gothic, Indian, and Moorish styles into a romantic vision. Arabesque arches and stunning botanical gardens showcase a Victorian millionaire's artistic dreams.

Santuário da Peninha
This mystical 17th-century hilltop sanctuary perches 488 meters above sea level. The neo-Manueline chapel and Moorish-style palace offer breathtaking views from Serra de Sintra to the Atlantic.

Farol do Cabo Raso
This stark white lighthouse stands guard at Cascais's western coastline, where dramatic cliffs meet fierce Atlantic waves. Built in 1894, its powerful beam still guides ships through treacherous waters.

Palácio de Queluz
Often called Portugal's Versailles, this opulent 18th-century summer palace dazzles with gilded ballrooms and formal gardens. Intricate rococo interiors showcase the royal family's spectacular art collection.

Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras
This scenic waterfront promenade hugs the coastline from Praia de Torre beach to Forte de São João das Maias. Along the way, it passes the Oeiras Marina, historic Forte de Santo Amaro, and the popular Santo Amaro beach.

The N247 road
One of the region's most spectacular drives is the N247 as it winds through the Serra da Sintra hills. This scenic route offers breathtaking views as it twists through the dramatic landscape.