The best things to do in Cascais in April

From Turkey to New York, New York to Lisbon, and now Lisbon to Cascais (even if only for a while): the pastrami craze isn’t slowing down. Until 26 April, Let’s Pastrami – originally based in São Bento, Lisbon – is popping up at wine bar Holy Wine every weekend (Friday to Sunday), from midday to 10pm… or until it sells out. On the menu? The house favourites: the Mustard Classic with mustard and pickles; the Parisienne with caramelised onion, São Jorge cheese, cabbage slaw and pickles; and the Spicy Kimchi, loaded with habanero heat. To wash it all down, expect a round of bloody marys on the side.

Exemplary Girls was written by the Countess of Ségur in 1858. The children’s book by the Russian author – who wrote this and many other stories about well-born girls who behave terribly – now lends its name to the new exhibition at Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. Curated by Catarina Alfaro, it places the female figure, both as a child and as an adult, at its centre, and features, for example, the hand-coloured lithographs The Salmon-Coloured Dress and Communion, inspired by poems by Adília Lopes. On show until the end of January 2027, the exhibition also includes works from the “Jane Eyre” (2001–2002) and “Pendle Witches” (1996) series, influenced respectively by the work of Charlotte Brontë and Blake Morrison, as well as the six engravings from “Female Genital Mutilation”, a 2009 series that denounces practices of gender-based violence affecting girls in various parts of the world.

Running alongside “Exemplary Girls”, Casa das Histórias Paula Rego’s long-term exhibition “The Exile: from creation to conservation” focuses on the technical study and restoration of a single work – a process that usually takes place far from the public eye. The piece in question is the collage-painting The Exile (An Old Exile Dreaming of His Youth), from 1962–63, shown for the first time in Portugal and accompanied by images and explanations revealing the behind-the-scenes of its research and conservation. The study uncovered hidden collages, compositional changes and layers of materials that offer a deeper understanding of the Portuguese artist’s creative process.

The surf contest at Carcavelos Beach – poised and waiting for the perfect conditions to roll in – once again puts Cascais front and centre on the international wave map. Keeping its signature invitational format, the competition stands out from the crowd and, as usual, kicks off the municipality’s sporting calendar in style. There’s no fixed date just yet (it’s all about waiting for that ideal swell), but stay alert: it’s set to go down at some point this month.

Praia de Carcavelos. Free entry

Sult’s addition to the Michelin Guide’s recommendations, along with the Italian restaurant’s second anniversary just steps from the bay, is the perfect excuse for a month of special dinners, featuring guest chefs and producers. The first takes place on 1 April, bringing together Diogo Formiga, from Encanto (Green Star), and winemaker Luís Seabra. Every following Wednesday, until 6 May, always at 7pm, Nelson Soares invites more “friends”: Kiko Martins (O Talho) and Marcelo Villela (Textura) on 8 April; neighbours Tiago Penão (Kappo, awarded one star this year) and Ramilo Wines (Izakaya) on the 15th; Vítor Adão (Plano) and producer António Maçanita a week later; João Sá (Sála, one star) and Pedro Coelho (Pormenor) on the night of the 29th; and, closing the series on the first Wednesday of May, André Cruz (Feitoria, one star) and Adega Belém.

Bookings are now open (via the website or by phone), and these four-hands dinners cost €130. The price includes two starters, two mains, a dessert and wine pairing.

World Physical Activity Day is celebrated in more than 120 countries, and Portugal is no exception. On the morning of 12 April, the Avenida Marginal – which connects Cascais to Lisbon, passing through Oeiras – will turn into a hub of sporting activities. Organised jointly by the three municipalities, the road will be closed to traffic, so everyone is free to get around on foot, by bike, scooter, roller skates or skateboard.

Scotland, in general, and its most beloved poet, Robert Burns, in particular, will be celebrated with a gastronomic and cultural event. It is the fourth edition of Burns Night in Cascais, organised by Cascais Food Lab in partnership with The Cascais Burns Club. The menu has been specially created for the occasion and includes a Portuguese take on haggis (the traditional Scottish dish made with sheep’s offal), accompanied by Scotch whisky.