Cascais, Portugal…a Day by the Sea

Cabo da Roca, Cascais, Portugal
Cabo da Roca, Cascais, Portugal

City (check). Mountains (check). Was I forgetting something? Ah yes, the sea! With that mind, I set out to visit Cascais, a lovely town by the ocean. Only a 45 minute drive from Lisbon, Cascais is a very easy day trip. As I left Lisbon and got nearer Cascais, I could sense the salty smell of the sea in the air as the landscape opened up to a wide expanse of beach and water.

 

Guincho beach, Cascais
Guincho beach, Cascais

The first thing I did in Cascais was go up the mountain you see in the background to see Cabo da Roca, continental Europe’s westernmost point. The view is incredible!

Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca

20160526_164430

A monument marks the spot...
A monument marks the spot…
...of Europe's westernmost point!
…of Europe’s westernmost point!

20160526_165018

20160526_164735

Boy did all that climbing get me hungry (or was it the salty air?). Whatever! Back down the mountain I went to eat lunch. And where there is sea….there is seafood! And I found the perfect restaurant next to the ocean on Guincho Beach-As Furnas do Guincho.

As Furnas do Guincho restaurant
As Furnas do Guincho restaurant

Not only does this restaurant have incredibly delicious seafood (and meat also!) but you can hear and watch the waves crashing the shore right from your table!

20160526_160746

And the food, you ask? Oh, the food! Arroz de marisco?

20160526_152919

Sure, I’d love some of that!

20160526_153026

Gambas served over white rice with fresh mushroons and champignon sauce? Uh, I’d like some of that too.

20160526_152823

After a fantastic meal, I set off to explore some more. I drove along the beach until I came to Boca da Inferno (Hell’s Mouth-great names they have here in Portugal by the way!) Boca da Inferno is a chasm in the seaside cliffs where the sea enters and crashes against the caves.

Boca da Inferno
Boca da Inferno

20160526_174444

20160526_174636

 

20160526_174850

Did I ever tell you that it is a sin to not eat dessert in Portugal? Off I went! And who would ever think that the best ice cream in Cascais, Portugal is made by… an Italian?

20160526_181403

One long line and 3 delicious scoops later, I was very happy!

Blackberry/Raspberry, Moka and Almond Turron
Blackberry/Raspberry, Moka and Almond Turron

I left the Cascais town center and took the road along the beach back to Lisbon. Along the way, I passed many seaside towns with beautiful beaches!

20160526_183939

Town of Estoril
Town of Estoril

20160526_190449

20160526_190206

The town of Carcavelos
The town of Carcavelos

20160526_190917

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *