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Nigel Roddis | IRONMAN
Nigel Roddis

The best things to do this weekend in Cascais

Between swims, seaside bites and plenty of culture, we’ve put together the ideal guide to making the most of the weekend in Cascais.

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This weekend in Cascais is going to be a sweaty one. The return of IRONMAN, one of the world’s toughest endurance races, will turn the town into the epicentre of international triathlon until Sunday, challenging top athletes to push themselves to the limit across swimming, cycling and running. Beyond the sporting action, culture and food round out the programme, with the rock opera Evita and O Feiticeiro de Oz at Casino Estoril, the exhibitions ‘Irmandade da Lapa’ at the Cidadela and ‘Árvores & Flores’ by Fátima Carvalho at Centro Cultural de Cascais, plus chef Tiago Penão’s new winter menu at Michelin-starred Kappo. In between, good luck finding time for swimming, ice cream and walks. Have a great weekend.

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Friday

  • Art

The exhibition gallery at Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais hosts ‘Irmandade da Lapa – Do Porto a Cascais’ until 14 February 2027. Co-organised by Venerável Irmandade de Nossa Senhora da Lapa and Fundação D. Luís I, the exhibition brings more than two and a half centuries of the Porto institution’s history, heritage and social and cultural work to Cascais. Highlights include the story of the donation of King Pedro IV’s heart to Igreja da Lapa, as well as a special section marking the bicentenary of Camilo Castelo Branco’s birth. It brings together the writer’s personal belongings – including his glasses, revolver and documents – alongside multimedia installations and interactive tables.

Saturday

  • Children's

The children’s and family show ‘O Feiticeiro de Oz – Um Musical Pop’ will run at Casino Estoril from 17 October 2026 to 17 January 2027. With artistic direction by Henrique Feist and script, lyrics and staging by Valter Mira, the show reimagines L. Frank Baum’s classic story in a contemporary version set to compositions by FF and Miguel Amorim. The cast includes names such as Eva Stuart, Filipa Azevedo and David Gomes, bringing Dorothy’s adventures along the Yellow Brick Road to life.

Sunday

  • Art
  • Photography

Centro Cultural de Cascais hosts ‘Árvores & Flores’, an exhibition by photographer Fátima Carvalho, until 31 January. For the first time, it brings together two of the artist’s series: ‘Árvores Vigilantes do Tempo’, featuring black-and-white images of centuries-old and millennia-old trees printed on handmade paper and linen, some with interventions by painter Fernando Marques de Oliveira; and ‘Flores e Frutos’, which explores transformation and the passage of time through hand-embroidered photographs. Part of the Bairro dos Museus programme, the exhibition also features texts by Cardinal José Tolentino Mendonça, Rosa Alice Branco, Maria do Carmo Serén and José Manuel Mendes.

  • Pan-Asian
  • Cascais

The sushi from Meow and pizzas from Sour Dog have now been joined by Jiao Ásia’s noodles, rice dishes, soups, sandwiches and mochi. Three different restaurants, three different menus and three separate teams share one enormous open kitchen divided into three sections, operating mainly for delivery and takeaway. But the Galerias Valmor space also has a dining room with large street-facing windows and seating for around 30 people, spread across a communal wooden table, small round tables and a large, comfortable sofa. Jiao’s specialities are particularly worth eating in for, including the spicy prawn and gyoza ramen – one of four soups on the menu – crispy sweet-and-sour spicy aubergine, sweet-and-sour chicken and a crispy chicken katsu sando. Finish with a strawberry, pistachio, blueberry or Biscoff mochi.

More things to do in Cascais

When the days get longer and the heat kicks in, life on the Cascais coast moves firmly outdoors – and, more often than not, towards the beach. When people are not in the water, the search for the perfect spot for a drink or an alfresco meal is practically a local sport. But not all tables are created equal: between Guincho’s sharp winds sending napkins flying and historic-centre terraces charging top rates for the view, finding the right balance of scenery, comfort and a good menu takes some skill. So you know exactly where to sit with a book, share an ice-cold beer after a swim or toast the end of the day, Time Out has selected the best terraces in Cascais.

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In Cascais, the ritual is sacred: no walk along the seafront promenade or afternoon at the beach is complete without a cup or cone of ice cream in hand. The town has a long-standing connection to this sweet tradition, but with counters popping up on every corner, the line between proper artisanal gelato – creamy, made with fresh seasonal fruit and no funny business – and industrial mixtures loaded with colourings has become dangerously thin. To make sure every spoonful is worth the calories and the money, Time Out has mapped out the essential stops along the line. From the historic institution that once served royalty to new Italian-inspired names, these are the best ice cream shops in Cascais.

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  • Things to do

Few capitals in the world can boast this particular perk: paradise-worthy beaches less than an hour away. The Cascais coast, for example, just 40 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré, brings together some of the busiest and most versatile beaches in the region. You can get there along the Marginal, of course, or even by motorway, but the train journey – with the river first and the sea later in full view – is well worth it. To help you plan your next day in the sun, Time Out hit the coast and picked 13 essential stops, from urban beaches with calm waters to retreats made for wave sports. From Carcavelos to Guincho, we map out where to lay down your towel. Just remember: there are no miracles. In July and August, parking and access roads get seriously busy, so public transport really is the most efficient way to avoid the queues. Choose your next destination and make the most of summer.

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