Lose yourself in the Museum Quarter

One of the most acclaimed names in Portuguese art, Paula Rego, passed away in 2022 at the age of 87. However, her museum, designed by 2011 Pritzker Prize winner Eduardo Souto de Moura, immortalises her work and legacy. The collection consists of more than 600 pieces, including paintings, drawings, prints, and a large-scale textile — a testament to an artistic journey spanning over 50 years. You'll also find part of her personal archives and works by her husband, British artist Victor Willing.

In October 2024, the collection was expanded and reorganized into a new permanent exhibition, shifting from a chronological to a thematic approach. After a good dose of art, take advantage of the museum's garden to stroll around or for a sunny afternoon lounging on the grass.

Avenida da República, 300, Cascais. Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00. €5 (€2.50 for residents)

The Santa Marta Cove, near Cascais Marina, is one of the most romantic and photogenic spots in the town. Since the early 20th century, it has been home to Casa de Santa Maria, which served as a private residence for nearly 100 years before being opened to the public by the local council.

Inside, you’ll discover beautifully preserved tile panels, two stunning balconies (complete with beanbags to sit back and enjoy the view), an old chapel, a traditional kitchen, and an elegant salon. Though no longer furnished, the house retains its timeless charm.

Rua do Farol de Santa Marta, Cascais. Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00. €3 (€1.50 for Cascais residents)

This house-museum is home to both the Municipal Historical Archive and the Cascais Municipal Bookstore, where you’ll find every publication produced or supported by the local council. Once the residence of millionaire businessman Henrique Sommer, the space was inaugurated as part of the Museum Quarter in 2016. On the top floor, you’ll find part of the archive, including a study area featuring the desk of Branquinho da Fonseca (1905–1974), the pioneer of travelling libraries in Portugal. The middle floor hosts temporary exhibitions, while the ground floor houses the municipal bookstore.

Avenida da República, 132, Cascais. +351 21 481 5759. Mon–Fri 9.00–13.00, 14.00–17.00; Sat, Sun & holidays 10.00–13.00, 14.00–18.00. Free

Opened in 2000 as a multidisciplinary space for the visual arts, Cascais Cultural Centre is housed in the beautifully restored Convento da Nossa Senhora da Piedade, originally built on the initiative of the 4th Count of Monsanto, D. António de Castro. Spanning three floors, it hosts temporary exhibitions, concerts, and other events such as conferences and performances. The permanent collection showcases works from the Fundação D. Luís I, which oversees the centre's programming. Visitors can also enjoy a charming café with an outdoor terrace set in an interior courtyard.

Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália, 16, Cascais. Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00. €5 (€2.50 for Cascais residents)

If you're an art enthusiast, a visit to Fortaleza da Cidadela de Cascais is a must. Transformed into a sophisticated hub for art exhibition and creation under the management of the Pestana Group, the site blends history with contemporary creativity. Art is omnipresent throughout the complex, extending to the Pestana Cidadela Cascais Hotel, one of Europe’s first hotels to establish an Art District. Expect galleries, studios, a project room, shops, and an ever-evolving agenda that includes curated exhibitions and invited artists whose works take over every corner of the hotel, from rooms to corridors. Outside the hotel, you can visit the Palácio da Cidadela gallery for €5 or explore the palace itself for €3. Cascais residents benefit from a 50% discount.

Forte de Nossa Senhora da Luz de Cascais, Cidadela de Cascais, Avenida Dom Carlos I, 246. Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00. €3–€5 (€1.50–€2.50 for Cascais residents)

The former Casa dos Guardas of the Palácio Condes de Castro Guimarães now houses the impressive collections of renowned Portuguese decorator Duarte Pinto Coelho. A native of Cascais, Duarte traveled the world, spent much of his life in Madrid, and mingled with high-profile personalities like Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, Truman Capote, Henry Kissinger, and Amália Rodrigues. The building also serves as the headquarters for the Cátedra Conde de Barcelona, part of the Duques de Soria Foundation for Hispanic Science and Culture in Portugal.

Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália, Cascais. Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00. €1

Housed in the Torre de S. Sebastião, built between 1897 and 1900 on Santa Marta Cove by aristocrat and financier Jorge O’Neill, this striking example of romantic summer architecture is now part of the Parque Marechal Carmona. In 1924, Count of Castro Guimarães left the house, along with its artistic and bibliographic treasures, to the town of Cascais to establish a municipal museum, seamlessly connected to the adjacent gardens and park “for the recreation of the public”. Inaugurated in 1931, it is the oldest museum in Cascais and served as the town's first public library.

Parque Marechal Carmona, Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália, Cascais. 21 481 5303. Tue–Fri 10.00–18.00; Sat, Sun & holidays 10.00–13.00, 14.00–18.00. €5 (€2.50 for Cascais residents)

Viola micaelense, cavaquinho, Portuguese mandolin, harmonium, castanets, adufes... The list of traditional Portuguese instruments could go on, and you’d likely find an example of each at the Museu da Música Portuguesa – Casa Verdades Faria. Alongside collections from Michel Giacometti and Fernando Lopes-Graça, the museum also houses the archive of conductor Álvaro Cassuto, all within a home designed by celebrated architect Raul Lino. Don’t miss the garden — entry is free and it’s worth a visit.

Avenida Sabóia, 1146, Estoril. 21 481 5904. Tue–Fri 10.00–18.00; Sat, Sun & holidays 10.00–13.00, 14.00–18.00. €4 (€2 for Cascais residents)

Any extended trip to Cascais should include a visit to this museum, where the town’s rich history is explained from start to finish — and entry is free. Beyond the fascinating exhibits, the building itself is a treasure, covered in a vast and rich collection of tiles and the historic centre that surrounds it. Recently renovated, the museum boasts interactive technology, a space for screening historic films from the National Archive of Moving Images and RTP’s archive, and even a restored grocery store. Nearby, the Cetárias Romanas — small tanks once used for salting fish and making sauces — are also worth exploring.

Praça 5 de Outubro, 1, Cascais. 21 482 5190. Tue–Fri 10.00–18.00; Sat, Sun & holidays 10.00–13.00, 14.00–18.00. Free

Comparing a visit to this museum to a dive into the sea might be predictable, but we simply can’t resist. Built in 1992, the museum preserves the stories of Cascais’ fishing community while going into maritime topics — a tradition initiated by King Carlos I in the 19th century. Each room unveils a different subject, from marine fossils to the town’s fishing boats and tales. The Maritime and Navigation Collection is a standout, featuring everything from model sailboats to a variety of nautical instruments. Before leaving, don’t miss the museum shop, stocked with illustrated postcards perfect for sending to friends and family.

Rua Júlio Pereira de Mello, Cascais. 21 481 5906. Tue–Sun 10.00–18.00. €5 (€2.50 for Cascais residents)