Portugal’s Chic Coastal Town Offers Miles of Stunning Beaches and Scenic Coastline

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Portugal's Chic Coastal Town Offers Miles of Stunning Beaches and Scenic Coastline

Portugal, the “garden at the edge of the sea” (or, “jardim à beira-mar plantado” in Portuguese), has a lot of coastline — and a lot of beaches. There are the golden cliffs of the Algarve, surfer meccas with crashing waves, and pastel-colored canal towns. There are ritzy coastal resorts, traditional seaside villages, and the oceanside capital, Lisbon, the breathtaking city that feels like Europe’s San Francisco. And that doesn’t even begin to touch on the beaches of the Azores, Portugal’s distant autonomous territory halfway across the Atlantic. 



You’ll find no shortage of heavenly sands and windy beaches on Portugal’s 586 miles of continental coastline. If you’re looking for a stylish seaside resort town with plenty of scenery, put your eye on Cascais, a small town approximately 18 miles from Lisbon. Cascais regularly makes the list of Portugal’s best beaches for good reason. The cobblestoned old town, historic villas, picturesque lighthouse, and wide array of beaches — not to mention its handy location near the capital — are more than enough to recommend Cascais. 

Cascais: Portugal’s prettiest beach town

Turquoise cove overlooking a historic palace and lighthouse in Cascais, Portugal



Cascais, while definitely upscale with its fancy resorts, well-preserved cobblestones, and ornate villas, still maintains a beachy, laid-back feel. Dating back to Roman times, Cascais is a fishing village turned enclave for the Portuguese elite and European royals. Nowadays, it’s an ideal day trip from Lisbon, just a short train ride (around 40 minutes) away, or even shorter if you have a car. If you’re hoping to explore more of Lisbon’s coastal area and spend a generous amount of time relaxing on the beach, Cascais is also the perfect home base for your Portugal explorations. 

Cascais is a quintessential resort town, Portuguese-style, along the picturesque Portuguese Riviera. It’s known for a thriving art scene, especially the renowned Cultural Center of Cascais, as well as upscale seafood restaurants, an authentic market, and some of Portugal’s most eclectic, historic mansions. You can spend endless hours roaming the historic streets before exploring the stunning coastline on the beachfront promenade. This section of the Portuguese Riviera is also home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in Portugal, after all. 


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From beaches to palaces on the coast of Cascais

Aerial view of beaches and red roofs in Cascais, Portugal

Dave Pennells

By Dave Pennells

Dave Pennells, MS, has contributed his expertise as a career consultant and training specialist across various fields for over 15 years. At City University of Seattle, he offers personal career counseling and conducts workshops focused on practical job search techniques, resume creation, and interview skills. With a Master of Science in Counseling, Pennells specializes in career consulting, conducting career assessments, guiding career transitions, and providing outplacement services. Her professional experience spans multiple sectors, including banking, retail, airlines, non-profit organizations, and the aerospace industry. Additionally, since 2001, he has been actively involved with the Career Development Association of Australia.