The best Airbnbs in Cascais (yes, most of them have a pool)

Pedro Magalhães started working in short-term tourist accommodation more than 20 years ago. “It started as a bit of a hobby and then it grew.” Today he has more than 20 houses on the market, although he continues to do everything in a very familiar way, close to his clients. 

So much so that his own house in Cascais has an outdoor area to share with guests. There are four houses on the same property - Pedro's and three studio-style dwellings available to rent on Airbnb. The one that stands out the most is this GardenHouse, which has a larger private terrace and lots of surrounding greenery. “Each house is on a different level, which gives you a lot of privacy,” Pedro explains.

Designed for couples, the GardenHouse has one bedroom, a fully equipped kitchenette and a stylish bathroom. Pedro designed the interior himself.

All these dwellings share the swimming pool and sauna. Only guests are allowed to invite friends from outside, for reasons of capacity and privacy. “We have guests of all ages, including many Americans. It's right in the city centre, so you don't need a car - or even a bike! - to go for a walk.”

Another Airbnb by Pedro Magalhães in Cascais, this one opened in 2022. The main house on the property is not available, but it is possible to rent the cosy and beautifully decorated annex, which has direct access to the pool and outdoor space. With a kitchen and two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, it is often used by families or groups of friends to enjoy the city centre at its best. Best of all, the pool is heated, just like the advert says.

This small (but lovely) Airbnb has just opened in the heart of Cascais. It's a completely renovated apartment (all that's left is the original wooden floor, which is over 70 years old) in a quiet area, yet in the heart of the historic centre - and very close to the beach. “We did a complete rebuild, we had to change all the plumbing and electrical installations, and we also made a new kitchen and bathroom,” explains owner Miguel Duarte Fernandes. “And, of course, we changed the decoration, with pieces that add to the comfort.” With a small balcony for an alfresco breakfast or a drink at the end of the day, the apartment consists of a double bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom.

Maria Saldanha Daun and António Monteiro have travelled the world together, but it was not until they started taking their two children with them that they realised the world was not ready for pressurised parents. Baby beds with no mattresses, kitchens with no cutlery, difficult showers and too many knick-knacks. You name it, they saw it. So they decided to do for others what they would have liked others to do for them, and created Sea Ya – Family Surf Houses in the centre of Charneca, just a 15-minute walk from Guincho. The bought an old house and split it into three separate apartments (from studio to 2-bed) ready to welcome families.

Located on Avenida D. Carlos I, one of the most iconic boulevards in Cascais, and overlooking the bay with a view that stretches all the way to Lisbon, the Westlight Cascais Chalet is the dream Airbnb. Beaches, museums, restaurants, bars and shops – you will find it all within a 5-minute walk. And it offers some amenities that are more common to hotels than apartments: from breakfast served in the patio pergola to a reception desk. The bedrooms are to be found in the attic of a fully renovated 19th-century chalet.

Sebastião and Ana Rita run a branding and design agency. Before having children, they decided to invest in housing and bought an apartment on the 11th floor of a building with a swimming pool at the top. Up there, as well as swimming and sunbathing, you can enjoy the views over Cascais and Lisbon (you can even see Cristo Rei). The house is decorated with some industrial touches designed by the couple themselves - in fact, it was Sebastião who handcrafted the wooden furniture in the bathroom. The bedroom is bright and has access to the balcony (where there is a hammock) as well as to the studio-style living room. It's ideal for two people, but there's room for two more on the sofa.

For those who want to stay in Cascais but prefer a quieter, more residential area, this apartment could be a good option. With a very spacious living room, it has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a couple of balconies. It started receiving guests in 2018 after being renovated. It's ideal for small families, explains the company that manages the accommodation.

For flower lovers, here's a beautiful bouquet: the 188 flats in Cascais. Buganvília, Petúnia, Esterlícia and Lantana are not only the species that grow and give colour to the garden of this building in the quiet Rosário neighbourhood – they are also the names of the accommodation that the Gouveia family manage. The building where their grandparents spent their summer holidays in the past has been given a new lease of life and is now divided into four spacious and comfortable flats, perfect for families ou groups of friends and well served by transport to the town centre. For a dip before or after a walk, there's a pleasant communal pool.

In 2015, Lucrecia - an Argentinian of Spanish and Italian descent - and her German husband, a Siemens executive, bought an apartment in the Cascais Atrium luxury condominium to live in. Shortly afterwards, in 2019, news emerged that a fire had broken out in the building, destroying a large part of it, including their apartment. The Atrium was completely renovated and several additional safety measures were implemented. The result is an even more luxurious accommodation option in a great location in Cascais, next to Casa da Guia. “We only used quality Portuguese materials for the renovation,” says Lucrecia.

With two bedrooms, an office, fully fitted kitchen, large living room and two bathrooms, it has access to the condominium’s swimming pool and tennis courts. The best thing? The sea views.

Relax in an outdoor jacuzzi with this view? That's possible in this dwelling in Cascais, which is also very popular due to its spaciousness. It can accommodate up to nine people very comfortably (without having to use sofa beds), and you can also prepare a barbecue on the terrace. The apartment has two floors, with two suites and two other bedrooms, a living room with dining area and three bathrooms. It was bought by Edson, an aeroplane pilot, who now devotes himself entirely to short-stay tourist accommodation and manages several houses. After being completely renovated, it has been welcoming guests for the past year.

This sophisticated apartment, which can accommodate up to four people, is located in the famous Náutico building, which caused a sensation when it opened next to Cascais station due to its distinctive architecture. It has a spacious lounge with open-plan kitchen, two bedrooms (one double and one with two single beds), two bathrooms and a balcony.