Last week we published a post on how best to travel to and one of the recommended to do’s was a day trip to Cascais. Today I want to follow up and give you some more details on how to spend a great weekend in Cascais, especially if you have kids, since it really is a great destination for some fun days with the whole family.
Even though I had been to Cascais before, this time I actually ended up staying for 3 days, following an invitation by . I had been to the twice before, so I knew how lovely this hotel group is, and I was keen to experience another resort of the same brand.
We arrived somewhat later in the day after a day spent on the road so we were most grateful that we didn’t need any long check-in process and instead were led straight to our villa, one of 12 at the resort. Unlike the Sagres location the main focus of accommodation provided here are classic hotel rooms inside the main building. Still, there are 12 2-floor villas available that are fully equipped with 2 bedrooms (both with en-suite bathroom), a kitchen and a lovely living room.
Very special was the design of the villas, which were built in a loft-style aesthetic which I loved. Think large windows, high ceilings and quirky design elements giving off a vibe that is both modern and homely. We felt right at home in that beautiful villa!
Another aspect we loved whole-heartedly about this resort was the incredible kids club here. I have come across countless kids clubs, some better some worse, but I can say without an ounce of exaggeration that the one at Martinhal Cascais is the best one. It’s huge in size, features an enormous outdoor area with many elements that even the best equipped playgrounds don’t usually offer like a trampoline, zip-lining, a tunnel slide and lots more. Even an old VW camper van awaits little explorers to play road trip!
The staff at the kids club was not only trilingual, they also cared for our kids with very best intentions, came up with countless fun ideas, crafted, sang, read stories and played with those littles until we would come to pick them up. Parenting can be pretty hard at the best of times and to have such awesome quality childcare at ones hands can really be the starting point to an actual vacation for the entire family.
What to do?
But the family holiday goodness doesn’t stop with a great hotel. The infamous Ferris wheel at Praia da Ribeira offers spectacular views over the bay, the small beach here offers an opportunity to cool off on hot days and the city centre is extremely walkable, even for little feet.
If the sun shines bright and the city beach gets too crowded, head to Praia da Ribeira, Praia da Rainha, Praia do Tamariz or Praia do Guincho for your perfect bit of sand.
Enjoy seeing the bustling heart of any city? Head to Cascais Market and stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, maybe some lovely flowers or even a new purse. Find it all here at excellent prices.
Where to eat?
You’ll be treating those tastebuds in Cascais, especially if you head to any of the following places.
A long-time favorite of mine is which specialises in buffet-style vegetarian cuisine with a middle-eastern twang to it. Do check out the lovely rooftop terrace on hot days!
Another delicious option is which dishes up delectable curries and salads as well as what might be the best waffles in Cascais.
Fancy some fresh seafood? You’ve come to the right place. There is a good chance any of the seafood restaurants in the city center will please your hungry stomach, but and are local favorites that are likely to deliver.
Especially in combination with Lisbon, a nice big road trip through other party of Portugal, Cascais is definitely a great place to spend a few days in and enjoy seaside living. Should you visit this place with kids, consider the Martinhal as your go-to hotel, you will not regret it and your kids will be talking about nothing else for weeks and months to come.
*Disclosure: we were invited to 3 complimentary and wonderful nights at Martinhal Cascais. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.
