The perfect location for a family holiday in Portugal
If you’re a family who like to have the option for a break that includes a little bit of everything, then Cascais, Portugal is the destination for you. This beach town break is a hop skip and a jump from Lisbon and Sintra and also maximises on resort style accommodation options too!
Location, Location, Location: Just 30 minutes from Lisbon airport, a 40 minute (3 euro!) train to Lisbon city centre and a 15 minute drive from the fairytale town of Sintra – Cascais is quite literally a ‘Kirsty and Phil’ dream sequence. There is enough in Cascais to be a holiday destination in its own right but the added benefit of it being a picturesque base to explore one of the best corners of Portugal puts it in a different class. I recommend allowing 1-2 days to explore Sintra and 2-3 days to explore Lisbon and Belem (the train stops at both) and then build beach and pool days around that.
Amazing places to stay: The reason we ended up staying in Cascais is that we had an Airbnb nightmare in Estoril. The homestay we initial checked in to could not have been more different from the photos and so we found ourselves stranded without accommodation one day! I am a huge fan of Airbnb and to their credit, they quickly resolved our issue and we scrambled to find a studio apartment in Cascais, which was perfect for what we needed – well appointed, in the very centre of town and by the station for easy access to city days in Lisbon.
What we realised when we were there, though, is that Cascais can be the destination in itself and there are some nearby resorts which would make for the perfect accommodation for a family holiday. Here is a run-down of Cascais Casa’s!
- Villa Cascais: this pretty boutique hotel is in the optimal position. In the heart of Cascais perched on the edge of the main beach, this sumptuous stay maximises the view with several sea facing rooms and a roof terrace for dining.
- Pergola Boutique Hotel: tucked away in a Secret Garden-esque courtyard, this hotel is less than 5 minutes walk from both Cascais station and the beaches. The rooms are imbued with Portuguese style which makes this the perfect bolthole.
- Sheraton Cascais: slightly further out of town, this hotel maximises on family-friendly extras. The rooms are cool, calm and collected and there’s a huge outdoor pool and spa. Some of the suites have multiple-rooms and kitchenettes which make this an amazing option for families.
- Onyria: the Onyria is a cool, bankable candidate for a family stay in Cascais. A spa, two-pools and 18 hole golf course, all in an incredible setting in the foothills of the Sintra mountains.
Beaches and more: The town has a few sunny, sandy beaches where the waters are calm enough for a dip and, if you’d like more choice, the beach town of Estoril is also just one train stop away. You can take a towel, or down by Praiha da Rainha you can hire loungers. At the main beach Praiha da Ribeira, you can ride Cascais Eye ferris wheel and in the height of summer watch the best of sport on the big screens they install there. The beaches in Cascais are flanked by a marina and botanical garden, with plenty of play spaces for children. The botanical garden is so tranquil and has chickens free-roaming which really intrigued our four year old! Walk beside the lake and you can also see terrapins roaming about. There are also flashes of history within Cascais with the city castle, Cidadela de Cascais and the Instagram worthy lighthouse, Farol de Santa Marta.
More food stops than you can shake a stick at: There are two main foodie hubs in Cascais: the sleek offerings down at the Marina and the ‘Yellow Street’ or Rua da Amarela.
The ‘yellow street’ is a pedestrianised area in the town centre dedicated to great local restaurants where you can find almost any cuisine that might take your fancy. We particularly loved the taco bar, Malacopa, both for its delicious Mexican tacos but also the margaritas! Other hot spots on the yellow brick road are La Contessa for raw-style dining and a plethora of ceviche’s and carpaccio’s and Residente for an absolutely banging brunch!
The marina is a different vibe, less local and independent-feeling and more refined, perhaps for those who want a ‘just stepped off the yacht’ feeling. As well as high-end shopping, the marina offers beach club vibes at Nassau and foodie spots such as Kafeine for a coffee-fix and Brazilian inspired, Bossa.
Cascais really was a location we ‘happened upon’ which goes to show that even when things go wrong while you’re travelling it can work out better than you planned. This beach town offers the easiest of sunshine holidays for a family and couples alike.
That Holiday Mum x