Estoril-Cascais Coast

The Cascais-Estoril coast extends over 30km (18mi) west of Lisbon and contains many attractions and distractions to justify a great day out, or two. This popular coastline has attracted visitors for centuries and encompasses the municipalities of Oeiras, Carcavelos, Estoril and Cascais. A series of picturesque beaches are well maintained with ample amenities including eateries, bars and clubs as well as public conveniences, showers, beach shops and supermarkets. Seafront promenades stretch almost the whole length ideal for both a leisurely stroll and jogging alike.

The coastline is easily accessed by a train that runs all the way from Cais do Sodré in Lisbon to Cascais. Some services stop at every station and there are rapid that concentrate only on the major urban centres. The N6 coastal highway (Avenida Marginal) follows the same route along the seafront. There's also a myriad of bus routes including some which run directly from Lisbon airport.

Once a satellite town west of Lisbon Oeiras is a district that has enticed the capitals wealthy and royalty for centuries. The enigmatic Marquês de Pombal (Marquis of Pombal) built his palace here and are worth a visit. Here the fresh waters of the Tejo mingle with the salty currents of the Atlantic. Bathing isn't always advisable due to its proximity to the city centre. That said the beaches are fine expanses of sand and all cared for. Dotted between the beaches is a network of forts adding a medieval feel to the region.

Paço de Arcos

East of Oeiras is the pleasant district of Paço de Arcos, best known for its sandy beaches. It has its own train station and sits alongside the N6 coastal road making it popular with day-trippers out of Lisbon. There is some history to the area and a few vestiges of a past fishing heritage.

Fornos da Cal
Remains of five lime kilns (Portuguese: Fornos da Cal), that date from the Middle Ages. The first reference to this set dates back to 1582 when the man in charge of the São Julião works hired brick-layers to make and bake lime in the ovens. For centuries, these ovens were an important economic activity in the area. Four of the kilns were levelled or integrated into surrounding properties, but one was obtained by the municipality in 1989. Archaeological digs began in 1994 and the kiln was opened to the public in September 2004. The kilns are classified as a property of public interest. | FREE
14 Rua dos Fornos, 2770-160, Oeiras, Portugal. | 38° 41' 40.2" N | 09° 17' 34.9" W

Parque dos Poetas (Poets’ Park)
This themed park celebrates the greatest Portuguese speaking literary figures. The wonderful Parque dos Poetas is a tranquil green space that has been tastefully landscaped and a showpiece for urban art from some of Portugal's leading sculptors. A series of gardens pay homage to an individual poet ranging from Renaissance poets such as Gil Vicente (1465–1537) and Luis de Camoes (1524–1580), as well as 20th-century masters Fernando Pessoa (1888–1935) and Miguel Torga (1907–1995). Rua Coro de Santo Amaro de Oeiras, Lisbon, 2780-379. | 38° 41' 59.9" | N 09° 18' 04.6" W

Beaches

Furthest east is the Praia Velha beach (also known as Praia dos Pescadores) is a short yet wide patch of sand leading onto a small marina where fishing boats bob up and down. A fountain just offshore gushes a geyser of water high into the air. | 38° 41' 35.2" | N 09° 17' 29.2" W

Beyond the marina the Praia de Paço de Arcos beach, (sometimes referred to as Praia Nova), starts as does the eastern end of the Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras (Paredão) coastal path. It's on this beach where most of the amenities can be found and most of the action. There's a great little beach café here which affords great views at sunset. | 38° 41' 25.6" N | 09° 17' 49.4" W

Starting at the small Forte de São João das Maias fort the Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras runs a kilometre or so west accompanied with the Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras along the way. The sands are well groomed by the local council and the beach is often utilised by players of beach sports. Although the waters are somewhat tame here and not often surfed. On the western end is the Marina de Oeiras and a plethora of amenities and yet another small fort and salt water swimming pools. | 38° 40' 45.5" | N 09° 18' 58.1" W

Palácio do Marquês de Pombal (Marquis of Pombal Palace)

The palatial home of the Marquês de Pombal is a National Monument and makes a great excursion when in Oeiras and the beach is not an option. The house and gardens are being continuously preserved and admired by a growing number of visitors who come here to marvel at this lesser-known attraction. The palace was built following the 1755 earthquake in the baroque and rococo styles that were a-la-mode at the time, under the direction of Carlos Mardel, a prestigious Hungarian architect.

The interior is an expression of the wealth and high status held by the Marquês de Pombal in the guise of its fine architectural style, decoration, paintings, statues, frescoes and azulejo tiles. The surrounding finely landscaped Rococo gardens are equally impressive. The gardens are richly decorated with rustic columns and gravel paving. The grounds include a cascade, a grotto, a pillar and a waterfall with semi-circular bowels.

As part of the estate, there are over 200 hectares of farmland and vineyards, a lasting vestige of the rural economy Oeiras enjoyed before being swallowed up by the outskirts of Lisbon. There is also an olive oil press and a fishing lodge that once brought the Marquis greater wealth.
FREE | Tuesday – Sunday: 10h00 – 18h00, Monday: CLOSED
Largo Marquês de Pombal 2784-540 Oeiras, Portugal. | 38° 41' 31.9" N | 09° 18' 50.9" W

Carcavelos is where the waters of the Atlantic first really make its presence known as its waves crash onto the wide sandy beach - and where people ride them. Its location 20 minutes from central Lisbon make it popular with families and day-trippers. Praia de Carcavelos is one of the longest beaches on the Cascais-Estoril coast and is the thing most famous about Carcavelos if you're not a wine connoisseur. Swimming conditions however are not the best however as the currents here can wash unwanted items downstream from Lisbon centre. The Forte de São Julião da Barra Fort defines the eastern end of the beach, although not open to the public it makes an attractive backdrop. There's a youthful feel about the place and it's a popular spot for beach football, volleyball and general larking around. The Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras (Paredão) coastal path runs the whole length which passes great establishments for sampling locally sourced seafood and watching hi-viz lycra-clad joggers rush by. The train station, however, is a leisurely ten minutes stroll from the beach.

On Thursdays, you may opt to walk in the opposite direction from the beach and follow the signs to the large weekly market. Here's you can pick up all sorts of bric-a-brac, curios, clothes, ceramics and potential souvenirs. | Thursdays (except holidays): 08:00-14:00