Cascais and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon Guide

A day trip to Cascais and Cabo da Roca from Lisbon is a great way to experience Portugal’s coastline without needing a car.

Cascais has a laid back beach town vibe with great food and walkable streets, while Cabo da Roca has dramatic cliffs and ocean views and is located at the westernmost point of mainland Europe.

We did this as a day trip from Lisbon and found it to be the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. My mom and I really enjoyed it!

In this post, I’m sharing exactly how to get from Lisbon to Cascais, how to get from Cascais to Cabo da Roca, and everything we did throughout our day trip so you can easily plan your own itinerary.

How to Get From Lisbon to Cascais

The easiest and most popular way to get from Lisbon to Cascais is by train.

Trains depart from Cais do Sodré Station in Lisbon and take about 45 minutes to reach Cascais. It is very straightforward and trains run frequently throughout the day.

When you arrive at Cais do Sodré Station, you can buy round trip tickets at the self service ticket machines. The machines are easy to use, have an English option, and accept credit cards. If you already have a Navegante card, you can load your tickets onto that. Otherwise, you will purchase a new card for a small fee.

💡Tip: Sit on the left side of the train on the way to Cascais for ocean views.

Cascais and Cabo da Roca Day Trip Itinerary

This includes everything we did during our day trip to Cascais and Cabo da Roca from Lisbon, and it worked really well without us feeling rushed.

Breakfast at Nicolau in Cascais

We started our day with breakfast at Nicolau, which ended up being our favorite breakfast spot in Portugal. We went to Nicolau in both Lisbon and Cascais and loved both locations.

The Cascais location is a convenient 15-minute walk from the train station and a perfect first stop before exploring the town.

What I recommend ordering:

The French Toast – my mom’s favorite! 😊
Twist & Bacon Pancakes – my favorite!
Freshly squeezed juices, especially the orange juice and green detox juice

Everything we had here was consistently good, so I don’t think you can go wrong with what you choose!

Freshly squeezed green detox juice and orange juice served in two glasses on a table at Nicolau in Cascais.

The breakfast at Nicolau in Cascais which includes orange juice, French toast, and twist and bacon pancakes with a fried egg.

➡️ Check out my 5-Day Lisbon itinerary to plan the rest of your trip which includes everything I did and food I loved!

Explore the Town of Cascais

After breakfast, we spent time walking around Cascais, browsing shops, grabbing coffee, and enjoying how relaxed the town feels.

Cascais is very walkable, so it’s a great place to walk around for a little before heading along the coast.

Things to Do in Cascais:

Walk around the Historic Center: The historic center of Cascais is easy to explore, with cobblestone streets, tiled buildings, small boutiques, and cafes.
Grab coffee at The Coffee: This was our favorite coffee shop in Portugal. You order at a tablet, but baristas are available to help. I recommend the vanilla latte!
Stop for food or a snack: Cascais has plenty of good food options to choose from. Some good spots include Scoop n Dough, Fábrica Coffee Roasters, Sr. Manuel Seafood Bar for lobster rolls or tuna steak, Oakberry for to go açaí bowls, Santini for gelato, and Mozzafiato for pizza.
Walk along the marina: The Cascais Marina is a short walk from the old town and worth a stop. It’s a nice place to walk, look at the boats, and enjoy views of the water. There is a The Coffee location near the marina too!

The charming downtown streets of the historic center in Cascais featuring souvenir shops, cafes, and food spots.

A historic street in Cascais lined with palm trees, featuring a building in the background.

A cobblestone street lined with palm trees, crowded with visitors at the Christmas market in Cascais in early December.

The steep cobblestone street leading you to The Coffee shop in Cascais.

The concrete benches surrounding the beach in Cascais where you can sit and enjoy views of the ocean.

A cobblestone street in the historic center of Cascais featuring a blue and white tiled, yellow, and white buildings.

Visit Praia Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Next, we walked over to Praia Nossa Senhora da Conceição, one of the most popular beaches in Cascais.

Even if you’re not planning to swim, it’s worth walking by to see the coastline and beach views.

Praia Nossa Senhora da Conceição beach in Cascasi which is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming in Cascais during the summer.

Walk to Boca da Inferno

From downtown Cascais, we continued walking to Boca da Inferno, a dramatic cliffside blowhole along the coast.

The walk itself is very scenic and follows the coast the entire way. You will pass a beautiful blue and white lighthouse along the route, which makes for a great photo stop.

This is an easy walk and one of the highlights of Cascais in my opinion!

A blue and white lighthouse surrounded by palm trees on the shore, seen on the walk to Boca da Inferno in Cascais.

Dramatic rock formations at Boca da Inferno in Cascais, where the ocean waves crash against the rugged cliffs.

A scenic view of the cave at Boca da Inferno, Cascais, with waves crashing against the rocky beach.

Uber to Cabo da Roca Lighthouse

From Cascais, we used Uber to get to the Cabo da Roca Lighthouse, which was convenient and not very expensive. Bolt is another option like Uber that is used in Portugal.

Instead of Uber, you can also take the 1624 bus from the Cascais main station. Public transportation is totally doable, but we found Uber to be the easiest option for timing and flexibility.

💡Tip: Use Google Maps for public transit directions.

A lighthouse on a cliff at Cabo da Roca, overlooking the ocean, marking the westernmost point in Europe.

Panoramic view from a cliff at Cabo da Roca, featuring the vast ocean and steep cliffs under bright sunlight.

Cabo da Roca and the Ursa Beach Hike

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and the views from the cliffs are incredible.

There is a visitor center near the lighthouse where you can purchase a certificate stating that you have visited the westernmost point of Europe. It’s a fun souvenir! My mom got one, and it even comes with an official-looking seal.

If you’re up for it, the hike toward Ursa Beach is well worth doing. You can follow this route on All Trails.

A few important things to know:

The hike has some drop offs and can feel nerve wracking if you have a fear of heights.
Make sure to wear good walking shoes. I wore my Hoka Clifton 9s and highly recommend them!
Take your time and don’t feel pressured to go all the way if you’re uncomfortable

I recommend waiting until the afternoon to visit Cabo da Roca if possible, as fog is more common earlier in the day and the views tend to clear later on.

The walking paths along the steep cliffs next to the ocean near Cabo da Roca lighthouse.

The paths you can walk as part of the Ursa Beach hike accessible near Cabo da Roca lighthouse.

Coastal views from Ursa Beach hike in Cabo da Roca, showcasing the stunning cliffs and ocean.

The beautiful views of the rugged coastline and cliffs while walking the paths on the Ursa Beach hike in Cabo da Roca.

Head Back to Cascais Station to Get to Lisbon

After exploring Cabo da Roca and (optionally) hiking toward Ursa Beach, it’s time to head back to Cascais if you’re returning to Lisbon by train. We took an Uber back to Cascais Station, which was convenient and not very expensive.

If you’re visiting in a group, splitting the cost makes it even more affordable. Depending on traffic, the ride takes about 20–30 minutes.

You could also take the 1624 Bus from Cabo da Roca back to Cascais main station, but Uber or Bolt gives you more flexibility with timing, especially if you’re trying to catch a specific train.

Once back at Cascais Station, you can hop on the train to Lisbon. Trains run frequently, so no stress there.

Is Cascais and Cabo da Roca Worth a Day Trip from Lisbon?

Yes, I think visiting Cascais and Cabo da Roca as a day trip from Lisbon is 100% worth it. My mom and I really enjoyed our time there, and I think we both agreed that Cabo da Roca offered the best views we had during the whole trip.

This day trip offered a more relaxed pace than our Sintra day trip and gave us the chance to explore the laid back town of Cascais and see some really beautiful views at Cabo da Roca.

Sample Itinerary: Cascais and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon

8:30–9:00 AM – Leave Lisbon by train from Cais do Sodré Station: The train ride takes about 45 minutes, and sitting on the left side offers great ocean views on your way to Cascais.
9:30–10:45 AM – Breakfast at Nicolau in Cascais: This was our favorite breakfast spot in Portugal and a perfect way to start the day before exploring the town.
10:45 AM–12:30 PM – Explore the Town of Cascais: Wander the Old Town, browse shops, grab coffee at The Coffee, and walk along the marina while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
12:30–1:00 PM – Praia Nossa Senhora da Conceição: This popular beach is right near town and a nice place to enjoy the ocean views.
1:00–2:00 PM – Walk to Boca da Inferno: Enjoy the scenic coastal walk from town, passing the blue and white lighthouse before reaching the stunning cliffside views.
2:00–2:30 PM – Uber or Bolt to Cabo da Roca: The drive takes about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic, and Uber or Bolt is the easiest option in my opinion.
2:30–4:30 PM – Cabo da Roca and Ursa Beach Hike: Explore the lighthouse and westernmost point of mainland Europe, then hike toward Ursa Beach. The trail has some drop offs, so it may feel challenging if you’re afraid of heights. I recommend visiting in the afternoon for less fog. Optional: Stop by the visitor center for a certificate marking your visit (extra cost)!
4:30–5:00 PM – Uber or Bolt back to Cascais Station
5:30–6:30 PM – Train back to Lisbon: Trains run frequently, making the return trip easy after a full day!

Tips for Planning Your Day Trip to Cascais and Cabo da Roca

Start early: Leaving Lisbon earlier in the morning helps you maximize your time and enjoy Cascais before it gets busier.
Choose the right train seat: Sit on the left side of the train for ocean views as you approach Cascais.
Use Uber or Bolt wisely: Uber or Bolt works well for getting to Cabo da Roca if pricing and wait times are reasonable, especially if you’re traveling with more than one person.
Wear proper shoes: Comfortable walking shoes are important, especially if you plan to hike near Cabo da Roca or Ursa Beach. I recommend the Hoka Clifton 9s.
Time Cabo da Roca strategically: Visiting Cabo da Roca later in the day often means less fog and better visibility. We didn’t have a problem with any fog during our trip and we visited in the early afternoon!

Final Thoughts on a Cascais and Cabo da Roca Day Trip from Lisbon

A day trip to Cascais and Cabo da Roca from Lisbon is very manageable with a little planning.

The mix of coastal views, walkable town streets, good food, and dramatic cliffs makes this a really well rounded day.

If you’re looking to escape the city for a day and experience a different side of Portugal, Cascais and Cabo da Roca are absolutely worth adding to your Lisbon itinerary.

Check out my other Portugal blog posts to help you plan your itinerary!