Welcome to one of Portugal most best kept secret:        CASCAIS

Fancy getting a tan on a luxurious break this Easter but can’t afford it? Visit Cascais, Lisbon’s cosmopolitan suburb, and experience cool, laid-back glamour – without exhausting your credit card.

Once just a small picturesque fishing village, Cascais (pronounced 'Kesh-kaysh'), 19 miles (30km) west of Lisbon, has exploded into one of the most bustling, sophisticated holiday resorts on the Portuguese Riviera. It retains its laid-back atmosphere, however, and the local fishermen still ply their trade and auction their catch on the main square.
Cascais town now hosts a plethora of elegant shops, bars and eateries set around colourful cobblestone walkways, to cater for the holidaymakers, and besides the lovely local beaches there are some sightseeing opportunities. Cascais' 16th century church has carved and gilded woodwork and some famous paintings, while the Cascais Amunicipal Museum is housed in a palace and has some interesting exhibits and illuminated manuscripts.
The Sea Museum contains everything maritime from model boats to fishermen's boots, and the 16th century Fort of Cascais offers a beautiful view and an open-air artillery museum. About two miles (3km) out of Cascais is a strange rock formation known as the Mouth of Hell, which is worth a look en route to the lovely beach of Guincho, which is a holiday favourite for surfers.


Fast Facts:

• Only 30 kms away from Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city.
• One of the richest municipalities in Portugal.
• Gained notoriety in the 1800s as the Portuguese royal family’s favourite vacation spot.

• Population: 33,000.

What to see
Besides being a tiny, former fishing town, Cascais has a lot to offer - whether you’ve got money to spend or not. The best restaurants are located near Guincho beach, you can find the best seafood in Porto Santa Maria Restaurant or Panorama Restaurant. The first one, Porto Santa Maria, is a very vip restaurant, more expensive and gourmet.
The town centre boasts various cafés and pretty shops. Check out the jewellery stalls on Rua Direita, just off the train station, where you can find unique earrings and bracelets for only 3 Euros.

Cross the street into the Praça Luís de Camões, where you will be sure to find many other UK tourists in the restaurants in the square. Even if being around tourists is not your thing, make sure you stop to have lunch or an espresso as the square is quite a lively spot.

Leave the square and head to the Praia dos Pescadores. Although it’s a picturesque beach, with lovely views of Estoril, don’t bathe in the water as it is known by locals for being quite a dirty beach. (Trust me, you will only see the odd tourist sunbathing there.)
Go up the hill and head to the marina. Although it’s open until 2am, it is best to visit it during the day when you get to see its true beauty. Head to Hemingway’s Bar on the first floor and ask for a jar of sangria whilst you enjoy the views.
Catch the train to Estoril and head to the Casino which boasts amazing gardens and is the biggest in Europe. Try your luck at one of the many gambling games on option or sit down and watch a live show at the main bar. You might, however, be unfortunate enough to hear someone singing Tom Jones’ "It’s not unusual" with a Portuguese accent.

The Best Beaches
Cascais is surrounded by loads of small beaches but a lot of them can become too packed. Forget the ones near the train stations as these are known for being dirty as well.

Another good beach to check out is Carcavelos beach, just off the Carcavelos station. Although it isn’t the best for bathing, it is known for its delicious cafés and funky bars.
The best beach in the Cascais area is definitely Guincho, a well-preserved beach integrated in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The shoreline in this area is quite cliffy, attracting tourists for its seascapes and other natural sights such as Boca do Inferno which literally means ‘hell’s mouth’.
Although Guincho is only a few miles from Cascais town centre, you will probably have to catch a cab there as buses can be quite unreliable. This will cost you around 5 or 6 Euros but it will be worth your while. Guincho is a top European spot for surfing, body boarding, windsurfing and kite surfing so you’ll be sure to spot sexy, nature-loving people there. Remember to stop for a refreshing glass of sangria or an ‘imperial’ at the Guincho Bar where you could potentially ask one of those sexy people out on a date.
Put some Jack Johnson on your iPod and you’ll be sure to fit in. Just don’t swim too far off as the water is known for being cold and the current for being strong out there. You don’t want to lose your cool.


Night Life
The Cascais area is known for its summery, funky house nightclubs where most of the Lisbon population will head down to during the summer months.
Tamariz nightclub is a 1 minute walk from the Estoril station.  Drinks aren’t too expensive, with spirits coming in at 7 Euros and a beer at 3 Euros.
The local’s favourite bar or esplanade, is definitely Deck, just off the Estoril station and in front of the casino gardens. Beers here cost as low as 1.20 Euros and spirits cost 3.50 Euros.

Getting there
Flights to Lisbon can be as low as £98. Cascais is only a 25 minute drive from Lisbon Airport so a cab should cost you between 40 and 50 Euros

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