Page 67 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023 LISBON EDITION

Cascais

Lisbon’s Beachtown

Posh Cascais is our happy place in Portugal.
The former fishing village and retreat for nobil-
ity has turned into a lively beach town just 20
minutes from Lisbon by train. Fishermen still
call Cascais home and their ocean catch ends up
on menus of the many restaurants serving the
tourist crowds that flock here.
When not baking at the pristine beaches
lapped by sparkling blue water, most visitors
crowd the town’s narrow cobblestone pedes-
trian streets flanked by eateries and shops
housed in colorful contemporary and 19th-cen-
tury buildings.
The town has a lot going for it. It’s close to
Lisbon, a major city with premier cultural insti-
tutions, fine distinctive cuisine, quality health-
care, and a major international airport. Plus, the
moderate weather is comparable to the climate
we’re addicted to in San Diego. Cascais is ex-
pensive, but it is still far more affordable than
anything comparable on the California coast.
It also has a pleasant blend of locals and visi-
tors. Too many tourists can turn a town into a
Disneyland-like version of itself. Cascais feels
real, with grocery stores, farmer’s markets,
movie theaters, shopping centers, and shops
catering to the needs of residents, not just visi-
tors. It’s many parks draw local families and

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