Things to do in Cascais
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Praia do Guincho
The long, wild Praia do Guincho is a surfer's and windsurfer's paradise (the site of previous World Surfing Championships) with massive crashing rollers. The strong undertow can be dangerous for swimmers and novice surfers.
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Santini
All hail Santini for its yummy 100% natural gelati, made to an age-old family recipe. Grab a cone and skedaddle to the beach before it melts.
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A Tasca
This simple, friendly tavern serves good-value specials like grilled squid and hake.
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Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
The grounds of Parque Marechal Carmona harbour the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, the whimsical early-19th-century mansion of Irish aristocrat Jorge O’Neill, complete with castle turrets and Arabic cloister. But the clover leaves inside didn’t bring him luck – he went bankrupt and had to sell up. His successor, Count of Castro Guimarães, lavishly decorated the abode with 17th-century Indo-Portuguese cabinets, Oriental silk tapestries and 17th-century azulejos. Don’t miss the rare 16th-century manuscript depicting pre-earthquake Lisbon. Admission is with half-hourly guided tours.
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Café Mise en Scène
This colourful French café has artwork on the walls, eclectic furnishings and a few outdoor tables. Delightful choices include coq au vin, fish soup and chocolate fondue, though it's also a nice destination for afternoon café au lait.
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O Luain’s
For the craic in Cascais, it has to be this cheery Irish watering hole, run by Ivor and Karen. Pull up a stool for Guinness and – at 10.30pm from Thursday to Sunday – live music, including the popular banjo jam sessions.
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Bangkok
The smiliest restaurant in town, this Thai place with patio seating is exquisitely decorated with green tiles, wood and scented candles. The chef is no less imaginative, turning out excellent, aromatic and authentic dishes.
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Furnas do Guincho
Straddling a rocky outcrop looking out to the Atlantic, this smart seafood restaurant is about 1km along the road to Guincho. Savour house specials like goose barnacles and lobster over dramatic sea views.
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Quinta da Marinha Centro Hípico
Quinta da Marinha Centro Hípico, offers horse rides to the sand dunes and through forest as well as around Sintra.
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Parque Municipal da Gandarinha
Shady and beautiful with the feel of wilderness, Parque Municipal da Gandarinha is a great place to explore. It's dotted with birch and pine trees, palms and eucalyptus, rose gardens and flowering shrubs, and there are peacocks, aviaries, duck ponds and a playground scattered among the flora. The grounds also contain the delightful Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães.
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Confraria Sushi
It’s hard to know where to look first at this Smartie-bright, art-slung cafe, jazzed up with flower prints, zebra stripes and technicolour glass chandeliers. It’s a fun spot for sushi and yummy salads such as goat’s cheese with forest fruits. There’s a handful of tables on the sunny patio.
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John David’s Bar
Slow service, dirty glasses, poor food, rude staff, expensive…thankfully, this sign is just cracking English humour. If you’re missing Blighty, this beachfront cafe is the go-to place for tasty cooked breakfasts, daily papers and a natter with John, who also runs the watersports centre next door.
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A Carvoaria
A well-kept local secret, this rustic South African haunt is always packed thanks to its friendly service and terrific food. On the menu: spicy boerewors (sausage), garlicky ostrich fillet, oxtail stew and the roll-me-out-the-door ‘steak big boss’.
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Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção
Weave through the back alleys west of the câmara municipal to the palm-fringed square that is home to the whitewashed Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, adorned with azulejos predating the 1755 earthquake.
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Fogo de Chão
A traditional Brazilian rodízio (all-you-can-eat meat restaurant), Fogo de Chão serves up heaps of juicy barbecued meat, accompanied by an extensive salad buffet. There's not much ambience but there is high-powered air-conditioning.
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Casino Estoril
Bond fans after a spritz of espionage head for glitzy Casino Estoril, the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale. Fritter away your euros on a high-stakes poker tournament or check out the spangly Las Vegas–style shows.
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Baluarte
Ubercool Baluarte draws a see-and-be-seen crowd with its glam-meets-retro decor of swirly gold wallpaper, tub chairs and bold purple splashes. It offers sea views, well-mixed cocktails and regular events from DJ nights to karaoke.
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Boca do Inferno
The sea seeps into an abyss in the coast at Boca do Inferno. There are taxis, or you can walk along the coast (about 20 minutes). Expect a mouthful of small splashes unless a storm is raging. Taxis cost about €6 return.
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Buvigis
A hip new lounge bar close to the waterfront, Buvigis is packed with 20- to 30-somethings that just wanna have fun sipping cocktails, playing pool and grooving to everything from chillout to old-skool tunes.
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Esplanada Santa Marta
Perched above a bay, this cute place is a family favourite because of its after-dinner paddling potential. Tuck into dishes like shrimp kebabs and halibut on the palm-shaded terrace with lighthouse views.
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Museu do Mar
Set in Jardim da Parada, the small Museu do Mar spells out Cascais’ maritime history with costumes, tools, nets and boats, accompanied by quotes (in English) from the fisherfolk.
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Mariazinha
An injection of cool with its spidery wire lights and turquoise paintjob, this sassy cafe is run by the young, bubbly Patricia. Take a seat for appetising baguettes and homemade sweets like tiramisu.
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Mercado Municipal
Cascais’ bustling municipal market tempts with fresh local produce such as juicy Algarve nectarines, glossy olives, wagon-wheel-sized cheeses and bread. An entire hall is given over to fish.
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Rock ’n’ Shots
This funky new bar does what the label says – expect thumping Portuguese rock, a dash of reggae and potent shots and cocktails. Sip a cool Rui Veloso (vodka, peach and pineapple juice).
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Citadel
The Citadel is where the royal family used to spend the summer, with a beautiful chapel. It's occupied by the military so is out of bounds, but plans are afoot to open it as a museum.
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