Cascais is Portugal’s sun-kissed gem, where the Atlantic breeze marries the charm of a fishing town with cosmopolitan flair. Once the summer retreat of royalty, Cascais is now famous for its picturesque beaches, cobblestoned streets, and vibrant marina that beckons yachts from across the globe. With lively outdoor cafes and a laid-back vibe, it’s the quintessence of seaside serenity with an air of elegance. If you’re looking for the best areas to stay in Cascais, you came to the right place!
Accommodation Options in Cascais
As you stroll through Cascais, you’ll find several attractions. From the defensive fortress of the Citadel to the crashing waves at Boca do Inferno, there’s a postcard scene at every corner. Other attractions in Cascais include the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum and the Marechal Carmona Park. Hotels in this coastal town range from luxury hotels to authentic Portuguese B&Bs.
Moreover, Cascais’s charm doesn’t wear off once the sun sets. The air fills with melodies drifting from the city center’s bars while the smell of delicious seafood restaurants lingers. Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly holiday aura or an architectural escapade through grand villas and museums, Cascais delivers.
As we go through our Cascais guide, you’ll notice more of this scenic, upscale coastal town than meets the eye. Please keep reading to find the best areas to stay in Cascais, including recommended hotels and attractions.
If you don’t have time to read the full article, this summarizes our recommended districts in Cascais. Keep on reading to find out more information about each of these areas.
- Best area for sightseeing: Cascais Center
- Best area for luxury hotels: Cascais Center | Oitavos Dunes Golf Course
- Most quiet area: Around the Nossa Senhora da Luz Fortress
- Best area for beach lovers: Cascais Center
What’s the Best Area to Stay in Cascais?
The center of Cascais is the best area to stay in Cascais for sightseeing or to go to the beach. Staying in this district, you’ll be near the most popular beaches in town: Ribeira Beach, Santa Marta Beach, and Rainha Beach. Likewise, you will be near the train station, which is ideal for impromptu trip to nearby Sintra or to Lisbon. This area also hosts most of the best-rated hotels in Cascais, including several 5-star resorts with ocean views.
Find available accommodation in Cascais Center.
Best Hotels in Cascais Center
- Best 5-star hotel: The Albatroz Hotel
- Best 4-star hotel: Eurostars Cascais
- Best 3-star hotel: Cascais City & Beach Hotel
- Best B&B: Casa Joana B&B
Where to Stay in Cascais for Sightseeing, to Visit the Beach or for a Relaxing Vaction
As mentioned above, the central district is the best location for tourists in Cascais. However, other places in this exclusive Portuguese beach town may suit your taste and preferences better. Here are some of the best districts to stay in Cascais outside the center:
- Staying around the Oitavos Dunes Golf Course is an excellent option for those looking for luxury hotels outside the center. This area is west of the city center and stands out for its relaxed and exclusive atmosphere. The best accommodations here include the The Oitavos and Onyria Marinha Boutique Hotel.
- The Santa Marta neighborhood, located south of the center of Cascais, has a more quiet vibe. This area, which is within walking distance from the center, hosts attractions like the Marechal Carmona Park, the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, and the 16th-century Citadel. This port area is also home to the Art District and has excellent accommodations like Pestana Cidadela Cascais and Artsy Cascais. Moreover, you can even stay on boats in this neighborhood.
The Best Areas for Tourists in Cascais: District by District
1. Cascais Center
Best Location for a first trip to Cascais
The center of Cascais houses the city’s most important landmarks, like the citadel and the City Hall. The beaches and the train station are also within walking distance.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cascais:
- City Hall
- Within walking distance from the beach
- Excellent restaurants and hotels
- Pedestrian-friendly
- Near the train station
- Luxury hotels
- Church of Our Lady of Assumption
Cascais served as a fishing village before becoming a resort for Portugal’s royal family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thus, the center of Cascais preserves both 19th-century architecture and cultural heritage sites. The must-see attractions in this area include the Church of Our Lady of Assumption, which has notable artwork from the Renaissance period.
A focal point of the Cascais Center is the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, established in 1931. This museum showcases regional artifacts and serves as an example of aristocratic life during that era. The fortresses along the coastline, like Forte de Santo António da Barra, offer insights into military strategies used in defending the coastline in historical times.
The center offers B&Bs and exclusive luxury resorts. This is the best area to stay in Cascais because it is within walking distance of key sites and beaches like Ribeira Beach, Santa Marta Beach, and Rainha Beach. These beaches are perfect for water sports, sunbathing, and swimming.
Another must-see attraction in the district is the City Hall, which is covered in azulejos (Portuguese tiles) and houses a museum devoted to the city’s history. Moreover, the train station is also within the center of Cascais. So, you can visit Sintia and Lisbon easily while staying in this area.
Regarding dining options, this district offers several restaurants and bars serving traditional Portuguese cuisine and locally gathered seafood. Yet, booking a hotel in this area well in advance would be best. After all, it is the most popular district in Cascais, and hotels fill up fast, especially in the summer.
Best Hotels in Cascais Center
The Albatroz Hotel
The Albatroz Hotel is located in Cascais and offers free Wi-Fi. The property has a sun terrace with a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar. This 5-star hotel offers room service and a shared lounge. Some accommodations have a balcony with a sea view.
Vila Gale Cascais
Vila Gale Cascais is located in Cascais, a few steps from Praia de Santa Marta. It features a garden, bar, and sea views. This property also has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, and free Wi-Fi.
Cascais City & Beach Hotel
Cascais City & Beach Hotel provides accommodations in Cascais near Cascais Train Station and Cascais Town Hall. This 3-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The property has a 24-hour front desk, airport transportation, and free WiFi.
Pergola Boutique Hotel
Surrounded by colorful flower gardens, this Mediterranean-style mansion features uniquely decorated rooms with antique furniture and historical paintings. With its many eateries, Cascais’ beach is just 300 meters away.
2. Near the Oitavos Dunes Golf Course
The most exclusive area to stay in Cascais
The Oitavos Dunes Golf Course is in western Cascais, and its surrounding area is the most exclusive part of the city.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cascais:
- Golf with a stunning backdrop
- Exclusive accommodations
- Cabo da Roca
- Museo Condes de Castro Guimarães
- Top-rated restaurants
- Connected via taxi and bus to the rest of Cascais
- 10-minutes drive from the center
The Oitavos Dunes Golf Course lies in the western region of Cascais, close to the Atlantic Ocean. This proximity to the sea provides a picturesque setting for golfers, with natural sand dunes and pine forests enhancing the scenic value of the course.
Designed by renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills and opened in 2001, Oitavos Dunes is part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. This location has historical relevance with nearby sites like Guincho Beach, which has been popular since Roman times.
Other nearby attractions include the Cabo da Roca lighthouse, which marks Europe’s westernmost point. Likewise, if you’re a history fan, you may appreciate the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, a museum set in a palatial house with artifacts dating back to the 16th century.
The area around Oitavos Dunes offers a range of accommodations, such as boutique hotels, 5-star luxury resorts like The Oitavos, and charming villas. Plus, since the area is a little further from the center of Cascais, it is more exclusive and less noisy. Who knows? You might even run into Portuguese celebrities while staying in this area.
This area is connected to the center of Cascais via buses and taxis; it is only a 9-minute drive away. It is among the best neighborhoods to stay in Cascais if you love golf or want a relaxing and exclusive vacation.
Best Hotels Near the Oitavos Dunes Golf Course
The Oitavos
The luxurious 5-star Oitavos combines ultramodern design with an untouched natural location within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It features pools, state-of-the-art sports facilities, an Equestrian Center, a Helipad, and the award-winning Oitavos golf course.
Vila Bicuda Resort
Located in Sintra/Cascais Natural Park and less than 3.1 mi from Atlantic beaches, Vila Bicuda Villas Resort offers self-catering studios and villas with free WiFi and two outdoor swimming pools.
Aurelia Villa
Featuring a garden, Aurelia Villa by CadenzaLux offers accommodations in Cascais. Guests may go for a swim in the private pool. Free Wifi is available throughout the property, and Quinta da Regaleira is 11 miles away.
Lawrence House
Lawrence House is located in Cascais, 11 miles from Quinta da Regaleira and 11 miles from Sintra National Palace. This accommodation has a balcony and a swimming pool, and it offers mountain views.
3. Santa Marta
A neighborhood with some of the best views in Cascais
Santa Marta is a neighborhood south of the center of Cascais famous for housing the Citadel, an impressive fortress overlooking the bay,
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cascais:
- Citadel complex and art district
- Boca do Inferno
- Gorgeous views of the Bay
- Near the center of Cascais
- High end hotels and restaurants
- Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
- Marechal Carmona Park
The Santa Marta neighborhood is south of Cascais Center, facing the Atlantic Ocean. Hence, this area has some of the most stunning views in Cascais.
One of the main sites in Santa Marta is Boca do Inferno, which translates to Hell’s Mouth. This unique cliff formation is among the most photographed places in Cascais. Why? The way the waves crash into the cliff is simply mesmerizing.
Other must-see landmarks in Santa Marta include the Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum, the Nossa Senhora da Luz Fortress, and the Cidadela de Cascais. The latter is a restored royal residence and fortress built between the 15th and 17th centuries. It overlooks the ocean and the Tagus River‘s estuary, which is to the east. So, the Citadel has some of the best views in Cascais. The complex also hosts the 5-star hotel Pestana Cidadela Cascais, surrounded by art galleries.
Santa Marta is only a 15-minute walk from the center of Cascais and is very pedestrian-friendly. Besides its several viewpoints, you will also find top-notch restaurants and bars in this area and green spaces like the Marechal Carmona Park.
Accommodation in the Santa Marta area includes apartments, luxury hotels, and even boats.
Best Hotels in Santa Marta
Pestana Cidadela Cascais
The 5-star hotel, which is part of the renovated 16th-century citadel complex, overlooks the sea and the Cascais Marina. It is surrounded by studios and galleries. The centrally located Pestana Cidadela Cascais features an indoor pool with marina views.
Victoria XV
Victoria XV in Cascais offers accommodations with free Wi-Fi. It is a 2-minute walk from Ribeira Beach, 600 yards from Rainha Beach, and a 6-minute walk from Praia de Santa Marta.
Westlight Cascais Chalet
Set on the beachfront in Cascais and featuring a garden, Westlight Cascais Chalet has free Wi-Fi throughout the property. All rooms feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom.
