Description of Apartment/Location
WINTER RENTALS: starting at €700/MONTH - Charming and very zen apartment with one bedroom, modern kitchen/bathroom and small sunny veranda in the old town of Cascais offers visitors a real feel of local life. Building is located on a quiet green square with mature trees. Apartment received sun in the morning and the afternoon. Walk down to the beach in less than 10 minutes. Close to the marina and the square. Small grocery/butcher shop on the corner, coffee shop serving small lunches on the opposite side and a popular Indian restaurant within 200m. Just off the main street so this apartment is nice and quiet.
Out and About Locally
Out & About in Cascais
For the very young or young at heart, take a stroll through the local park. Parque Municipal da Gandarinha in Cascais is located opposite the marina and beside the cultural centre.. Feed the ducks - or just sit at the local café and read a book whilst the peacocks strut around you.
Sit out in the late afternoon and enjoy the sunset on the Esplanade Beach Bar in Cascais (Praia da Rainha) whilst enjoying champagne sangria or overlooking the ocean at Casa da Guia over a sun down cocktail. If you have spent the day on Guincho Beach, the most romantic sunsets can be viewed from the Abano Beach Bar (BG Bar)
If you're an early riser, catch the auctions in the fish market square where the fishermen sell their daily catch. Property is within 5 minutes walk of the Cascais fresh produce market - market days are Wednesday (full market day) and Saturday, (fresh produce)
Local activities include diving, surfing, swimming, tennis, walking, sailing, cycling, fishing, horse riding, golf, wind-surfing, water skiing, mountain biking, mountaineering, roller blading on the purpose-built pathway along the coast road.
Parque Marechal Carmona - one single space resulting from the marriage of the gardens of the Palace of the Conde of Castro Guimarães and the property of the Visconde of Gandarinha. Apart from an abundance of exotic trees and shrubs, the tranquility of this park offers curious hiding places to quietly read a book or romantic tree lined pathways. Wander around the small ponds, infant playground, mini zoo, aviary, youth library, duck pond, café, museum, chapel, rose gardens etc... Right in the heart of Cascais! Open 8.30-19.45 summer & 8.30-17.45 winter
Bicycles can be hired locally (no charge) in Cascais and there is a bicycle path which stretches for miles along the beautiful coastline to Guincho Beach. Another useful service is the “Giro” Bus from outside the apt to Cascais Shopping - a shopping mall on the outskirts of Cascais & Estoril.
The Cascais tourism office is situated in the square in Cascais, for all the maps and local information you need.
The Lisbon tourism office is situated on the water front just beside the casino gardens and opposite the Estoril train station.
Night life includes the Tamariz Night Club which is practically suspended over the beach in Estoril (summertime only) and Jezebels Night Club behind Estoril Casino during the winter months. Alternatively try the club for "the young at heart" (Vangogo) or 70's retro club Rolls Royce, both in Cascais old town. Take in the International Show or Dinner & Show at the Estoril Casino.
The Artisan Fair in Estoril (behind Casino) each July and August offers handicraft and a variety of restaurants serving traditional food.
Out & About in Lisbon
Lisbon & the Lisbon Coast are both an all-year-round destination. Summers, whilst warm are rarely oppressive and the cooling sea breeze keeps it comfortable even during the hottest months. Very mild winters mean you can enjoy your short break in the winter sun in Cascais and Lisbon.
The town of Sintra is a World Heritage Site and well worth a visit.
Lisbon itself has lots to delight; from taking an old electric tram up the steep hills of Lisbon to whizzing up to the top of the Santa Justa Elevator to get a panoramic view of the city of Lisbon. Do visit Alfama (the old quarter) and be sure to wear comfortable rubber soled shoes to avoid slipping on the cobbles. In the evenings, take in a Fado evening over dinner in one of the many restaurants in this area. Bairro Alto is also wonderfully lively at night – lots of restaurants, Fado houses and late night bars/clubs.
June 12th is the night of the Festival of St Anthony; the best night for trying traditional sardines in Lisbon.
Go by tram - #15 is the best - to Belem. It leaves from Praça Figueira and stops at Praça do Comerçio and Cais do Sodré before going on to Belem - a wonderful place of fountains, parks, monuments and monasteries.
Worth visiting in the Estremadura and beyond are, Óbidos, Sintra, Azeitão & Setúbal, Fatima & Nazaré. Alentejo is a little further (about 2 hours) but worth visiting are Évora and Monsaraz. The Esporão Wine Estate is worth having lunch at if you are going as far as Monsaraz
We can offer you a day excursion at competitive rates. See our Tours section.
Out and About in Sintra
Sintra is a world heritage site and has a lot to be seen, including the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, National Palace and the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira. It also offers great shopping and restaurants. Markets in Sintra are on the 1st and 3rd weekends of each month.
And with Lisbon only 25 minutes away and Cascais & Sintra only 15minutes, you can get all the cosmopolitan and night life you need.
A short distance away you can enjoy a lovely lunch at the Don Quixote Restaurant. This terrace bar is located at a windmill just a stone's throw away from the westernmost point in Europe. Sit relaxing with sangria in your hand and an incomparable view of the Guincho Beach and the Atlantic in front of you and the Sintra Hills behind. A truly perfect location for sunsets. Snacks served as well as scones and tea. Pay a visit Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of Europe where you can enjoy a cliff top walk with spectacular views and visit to local tourism point.
There are many walking routes in the mountains (parts of it protected by World Heritage) behind Cascais, if you wish we can provide information and/or contacts to the local walking groups.
Otherwise for the more adventurous traveller, we can arrange organized buggy/go-cart tours along the coastline or into the protected mountain area. (some tours need to be pre organized so that permits can be obtained for the protected areas)
The delightful old town of Ericeira takes you back in time to the days when it was a tiny fishing village. Cobbled streets, white-washed houses and a plethora of restaurants and cafes offer excellent food, especially the sea-food for which Portugal is deservedly famous.
Other Information
Coast / Beach
Beaches in the Bay of Cascais are about 3-5 mins walk from the property; other beaches on the Cascais / Estoril coast are within easy walking distance 10 to 15 minutes along the promenade. A few mins drive away is the magnificent, spectacular Guincho coastline, with sandy beaches and rocky coves. The alternative popular surfer beach of Carcavelos just 15 minutes drive away is very accessible also by train.
There are a great many sandy beaches on the Lisbon Coast. You have the choice of 3 beaches in the centre of Cascais. Fisherman's beach, Praia da Rainha, or the longer stretch at Praia d Conceição and many more as you travel in the direction of Lisbon. They are all very easy to access by train which runs along the water's edge for most of the way between Lisbon and Cascais.
These have superb beach restaurants dotted all along the way serving fresh fish, sardines, various seafood and the famous Portuguese steak roll (Prego no pão).
Otherwise, visit (by bus or cycle there on the purpose built bicycle path) the Guincho Beach on spectacular un-spoilt coastline. It offers perfect conditions for surfing.
Take a day trip to one of the Sintra beaches such as Praia Grande, Praia Maças and Praia da Adraga. Adraga Beach restaurant serves fish and seafood which tastes like they caught it just before serving it.
Golf
We offer to pre-purchase your Golf Passports with our Golf & Accommodation Packages. Our Golf & Accommodation Package entitles the golfer to play 3/5 courses (1 green fee p/course, as many rounds as possible) at any of these golf courses:
If you would like us to make the necessary arrangements, please just let us know in advance whether your preference is the 3 or 5 day passport and which other course you would like to play.
For more information and pricing please email us or call us on +351 21 486 7767
There are 8 excellent golf courses within a 20 min drive from Cascais.
The golf courses of Quinta da Marinha, Quinta da Beloura, Estoril (27 holes) are nearby all within 10 to 15 minutes drive.
Penha Longa (27 holes), Belas, the Lisbon Sports Club are within a 20 to 30 min drive.
The Atlântico da Penha Longa course has already been the scene of several European Tour competitions. This hilly course offers broad magnificent views over the countryside that surrounds you with the mountains and the sea.
Around an hour's drive are Praia D'El Rey, Ribagolfe I & II, St Estavao, Qtª do Peru, Aroeira I & II, Montado and Troia golf courses.
The Quinta da Marinha Oitavos course, the newest in the region, designed by the famous American architect Arthur Hills, is the first course in Europe and the second in the world to have the Audubon International ‘Certified Signature Sanctuary/Gold'. With excellent views over the Palácio da Pena and Cabo da Roca.
Travel
A car is not essential for this property, as the town can be reached in 2 minutes on foot. The train takes you into Lisbon (32 mins) via Estoril, in clean, modern air-conditioned trains - which are not expensive & always on time!
Local buses include the Giro, a 17 minute/1 euro ride to the Cascais Shopping Mall; the Scotturb bus to Guincho beach for less than 3 euros, about 15 minutes, which also goes into the Quinta de Marinha for golf, spa, etc. The local Bus Cas is a frequent service on a smaller bus which serves the immediate vicinity of central Cascais. Terminal at the railway station.
There is also a regular bus service to Guincho Beach, #405. The #403 will get you to Sintra.
Hire a bicycle without charge on producing photo ID, and enjoy the purpose built cycle path which runs from Cascais to Guincho
Arriving in Lisbon
Our nearest airport is Lisbon Portela at 27 km (fewer than 30 mins).
Or drive up from Faro it's just 2 and a quarter hours from Lisbon.
From airport by public transport - bus transfer to Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon then on the train to Cascais. We are able to offer an airport transfer. Please send an email and we will be happy to assist you.
http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/ or http://www.skyscanner.net/ offer great prices for car rental and we will provide written and map directions to the apartment - it's really simple.
Further Details
We can provide plenty of advice and information on local restaurants, shops, leisure activities and places of interest. Your apartment will have a manual which will give you tips for eating locally and things to do.
Gastronomy
Cascais Marina is great for good food and atmosphere. Sit among the boats and enjoy the sunset from the top deck. Also try the restaurants along the Guincho Road. Ones that stand out are Furnas do Guincho and Monte Mar (be prepared to pay a small price premium for great service and fantastic views and atmosphere). Casa da Guia which is just about 15 minutes walk from the marina offers a variety of restaurants, cafés and boutique shopping.
Cascais town centre & its surrounds offer a good selection of restaurants (Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, Thai, French, Brazilian, Italian, South African (steaks) and more. Nearby Sacolinha bakery is a big plus for breakfast- it's just a short walk. And the supermarket is just across the road from here. Get around easily without a car. Winter monthly rates are as follows:
Longer Term Lets
We offer mid-term lets at reduced prices during the winter months. Please book online, email or call Nicola for a speedy response - +351 21 486 7767
Gastronomy
