Cascais: Dunes, Museums and Parks

Cascais offers several specific starting points for planning your trip: Praia do Guincho and the Guincho-Cresmina dune system, museums presenting different historical perspectives, and parks, each with its own character. You can plan your time around the landscape, culture or a particular activity.

Coastal landscape and route to Guincho

Praia do Guincho is connected to the highly dynamic Guincho-Cresmina dune system. The beach and dunes therefore form part of a specific landscape. Another point of reference is the 8.8-kilometre cycle path from Marina de Cascais to Praia do Guincho. It can be used for walking, running, rollerblading or cycling. These options can help you decide how the route fits into your travel plans; check current route conditions before setting out.

Museums offering different historical perspectives

The Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos explores different perspectives on the area's relationship with the sea, which has been a fundamental part of local culture for centuries. The museum offers insight into this longstanding cultural connection, while Praia do Guincho and the dune system provide a perspective on the landscape.

The Museu da Vila covers a different period: its exhibits span from the Neolithic era to the early 20th century and are divided into five thematic areas. The Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, meanwhile, is housed in the former Torre de S. Sebastião, built between 1897 and 1900. Here, you can focus on a particular building and the period in which it was built. Together, these museums offer different starting points for travellers wishing to discover Cascais through its culture and history.

Parks and green landmarks

Parque Marechal Carmona is located in the historic centre of Cascais. Its landscape features large trees, expansive lawns, flower beds and herbaceous ornamental shrubs; it is also home to numerous notable architectural and sculptural features. Here, plants and designed elements combine to shape the character of the park. The Butterfly Garden, by contrast, is located in the Urban Park of Quinta de Rana. Parque Marechal Carmona is in the historic centre of Cascais, while the Butterfly Garden is in the Urban Park of Quinta de Rana.

Getting there and choosing accommodation

Cascais can be reached by car via the A5 or the Estrada Marginal. Traffic and driving conditions can vary, so take them into account when planning your journey. The CP line to Cascais runs from Cais do Sodré; the journey is stated to take 40 minutes. Check the timetable before travelling by train so you can factor this connection into your plans.

If you are looking for hotels in Cascais, first consider whether the coastal landscape, history or parks are important to your stay. You can then choose your hotel's location based on which of these sides of Cascais you would most like to experience during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Carcavelos, Alcabideche, São Domingos de Rana, Parede, Cascais, Estoril, Oeiras, Paço De Arcos.

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