Cascais offers different perspectives on landscape, sea and history. At Praia do Guincho, the beach is connected to the geologically dynamic Guincho-Cresmina dune system. The sea is also part of the area’s cultural history: for centuries, it was a fundamental element of local culture. The museums continue to explore this relationship and the history of Cascais from different perspectives.

Dune landscape and route

The cycle path from Marina de Cascais to Praia do Guincho is 8.8 km long. You can travel it on foot, running, on roller skates or by bicycle. Its length and the ways you can travel it provide practical points of reference for planning: you can cover the route in different ways over the same stated distance. Alongside the dune landscape, a clearly defined connection between the marina and the beach is another experience to choose from. Route length and conditions may change; check the current route before setting out.

The sea, history and a distinctive building

A visit to Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos offers different perspectives on the area’s relationship with the sea, which was a fundamental element of local culture for centuries. Museu da Vila provides a broad historical overview: it presents the history of Cascais from the Neolithic period to the beginning of the 20th century and is divided into five thematic areas. The two museums have different focuses—maritime cultural history in one, and a long historical period in the other. Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães offers a third architectural point of reference. It is housed in the former Torre de S. Sebastião, built between 1897 and 1900. The construction period gives this museum a clear historical point of reference.

Parks and their details

Parque Marechal Carmona is located in the historic centre of Cascais. Large trees and expansive lawns give the park a generous landscape setting, complemented by flower beds and ornamental herbaceous shrubs. There are also numerous interesting architectural and sculptural features. Here, broad landscape features meet carefully designed details. The Butterfly Garden is located in the Urban Park of Quinta de Rana. The two places can be distinguished by their named features: Parque Marechal Carmona by its landscape and architectural details, and the Butterfly Garden by its location in the Urban Park of Quinta de Rana.

Getting to Cascais

By car, you can reach Cascais via the A5 or Estrada Marginal; traffic and road conditions may vary. The CP line to Cascais runs from Cais do Sodré; the journey is stated to take 40 minutes. These provide different planning details: when travelling by car, you can choose between two roads; for the CP line, the departure point and journey time are specified. Check the timetable before travelling by train.

Discover more destinations: Cascais, Estoril, Carcavelos, Alcabideche, São Domingos de Rana, Parede, Amadora, Tondela.

For the overview of the wider region: Lisbon.