The best things to do in Parede

Praia da Parede, known for its therapeutic properties since it is rich in iodine, is ideal for those who suffer from problems with their bones. But there are other reasons to visit this beach, such as its easy access via pedestrian underpasses, a car park and a pedestrian zone along its entire length, as well as excellent conditions for water sports such as stand-up paddle boarding.

Snails, clams, spider crabs, prawns, barnacles, and draft beers. There is a bit of everything in this classic beer restaurant on the Cascais Coastline. It gets pretty crowded at weekends and there are sometimes delays in the service. But Senhor Eduardo makes up for it with the quality of the seafood, the friendliness of the staff and the traditional atmosphere of the place.

SMUP - Sociedade Musical União Paredense, which is almost 125 years old, was once known for its philharmonic band and its music, theatre and dance classes. This is still the case today, but in recent years it has stood out for its alternative music programme, with daring shows that include many international bands on tour. It's Parede's major cultural spot.

Now that we've introduced SMUP, let's move on to its restaurant. It was an old-fashioned tavern for many years, until the building was closed for eight years. When it reopened in 2014, those in charge did not want to take over the space. The task fell to Leopoldo Calhau, who gave it a new lease of life. However, this phase only lasted until the end of 2016. The chef wanted to move on to other projects and that's when the new partners came into the picture. The brothers Carlos, Pedro and Nuno Costa grew up in Carcavelos and were regulars at the old tavern and at SMUP's own activities. They also had a strong connection with music: Pedro is the head of the Clean Feed record label, and his brother Carlos was one of the partners in the Sabotage Club, as well as a record distributor, promoter and manager of other bars. With partners Pedro Guedes and Hugo Bernardo, they took over the business and created a Portuguese restaurant with seasonal produce and little twists. The menu changes twice a year, but the steak à la Sociedade (€14.50) and the oven-baked octopus (€17), now served with sweet potatoes and greens, are always on the menu. The dish is reminiscent of octopus from Parede, although Algarve octopus is used because it is more tender. Other specialities include tuna tartare from the Azores (€11.50), in ponzu and onion sauce with wakame seaweed and kimchi; duck pie (€12); and spicy chicken with lime, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside (€11). The atmosphere is all about nibbling and sharing, whether in the cosy dining room or on the covered terrace.

The Jazzy Dance Studios group opened its school in Parede in 2020. The facility has three studios and 37 weekly classes in 22 different dance styles, from classical to afrohouse, hip hop, contemporary, dancehall, Brazilian funk, high heels, jazz, kizomba, salsa, semba and pop dance, among others. Just choose a style and start practising.

MOA Sushi, with one location in Cascais and another in Parede, is a breath of fresh air for the Japanese cuisine on offer in the municipality. A place with good vibes, bossa nova playing from the speakers and a menu designed by sushiman/surfer Nuande Pekel. The cuisine is Japanese fusion and includes other raw fish dishes such as ceviches, tacos and pokes. What to order? Mixed kimuchi, salmon tartare, braised sake gunkan or go straight for the chef's special combinations that guarantee variety. And the freshness of the raw ingredients is always ensured.

What do the Lisbon Marches, the musicals of Filipe La Féria, the Loures and Sesimbra Carnivals, the fashion designs of Maria Gonzaga or João Rolo, films, series and television programmes have in common? They all get the fabric for their costumes from this historic store in Parede, which has become a national reference. Inaugurated in 1976 by Joaquim Augusto Bispo, it started out as a small Loja do Povo (A-Z store), selling everything that was fashionable at the time, until it gradually turned to textiles, a sector to which the businessman was already connected. In the 1990s, the shop underwent a major refurbishment, greatly increasing its surface area and changing its name to Bispos Tecidos, in homage of the family business. Today the company is run by Joaquim's sons, Celso and António. They have four complementary departments: fabrics, decoration, haberdashery and ready-to-wear. But fabrics remain the king and master of this shop in the centre of Parede.

After Belém and Benfica, the Lanchonete arrived in Parede in April 2023. Partners Pedro Bento, Bruna Silva and Francisco Júnior had been looking for a space on the Cascais Coastline for some time, as many customers came to the Lisbon locations to try the brunch and Brazilian specialities. The new space is located in the traditional shopping area, in the former home of Pastelaria Monte Rei, and maintains the menu of the other locations. There's no shortage of feira pastries, cheese bread, chicken legs and wings, hamburgers and Brazilian snacks. On Fridays and Saturdays - as regulars already know, and Parede is now finding out - it's Brazilian feijoada bean stew day (€9.50), one of the restaurant's highlights.

Pedro Moura has been selling musical instruments since the age of 18. Originally, the business belonged to his father Francisco - better known in the area as Paco, because he is Spanish. The family had several shops with different products. In the late '60s and early '70s, musical instruments began to take on a life of their own. They had been a small part of the original shop, called Casa Paco, and had appeared at the suggestion of those who were already selling vinyl records. Today, Pedro runs two shops, almost side by side, next to the Parede railway station, just a few minutes' walk from the original location of his father's shop. He sells all kinds of guitars, basses, keyboards, pianos and drums, as well as sound and recording equipment. It has become a benchmark because of its longevity and customers come from all over to buy their instruments there. One of the rooms is also used for private music lessons given by specialised musicians.

The history of this park dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Domingos José de Morais, a wealthy industrialist and owner of the “Portugal e Colónias” factory, owned the land and had his house there. Today's Parque Morais is what’s left of the villa's formal garden, acquired in the 1930s by the Cascais Municipal Council Initiatives Commission and a group of private individuals. At that time, part of the park became the home of the Amadeu Duarte Charity and Aid Association, the Rescue Station and the Cascais Volunteer Fire Brigade - 6th Station of the Cascalense Humanitarian and Recreational Association. Today, the area has a children's playground, a pine forest with a picnic area, a pond with poultry (and a beautiful bridge) and a large lawn. A large garden with rose bushes, herbaceous perennials and large trees makes it a unique place to relax and enjoy nature.