Page 135 - WDT MAGAZINE PORTUGAL

It also has a nice blend of locals and visitors.
Too many visitors often turn a town into a
Disneyland-like version of itself. Cascais felt real,
with grocery stores, farmer’s markets, movie
theaters, shopping centers, and shops catering to
the needs of residents, not just visitors. It’s many
parks draw local families and kids as well as
tourists looking for a seat in the shade.
Our favorite is a little pocket park, Jardim
Visconde da Luz, in the heart of the village. It has
lots of benches for people watching, especially
the children delighting in their ride on the park’s
antique merry-go-round. Marechal Carmona
Park is another must destination if you have kids.
It’s alive with peacocks, peahens, roosters,
turtles, ducks, and pigeons and boasts a
children's library, indoor toy play area and large
grassy areas with playground equipment.
Beaches are one of Cascais’ biggest draws
and a prime reason it’s considered the best
resort town of the Lisbon coastline. There are
wild surfing beaches like Praia do Guincho as
well as more placid family-friendly ones like
Praia da Duquesa or Praia do Tamariz. One of our
favorite spots for beach people watching was on
the edge of the historic center overlooking Praia
da Conceição, which dramatically stretches and
shrinks with the tides.
Cascais also offers dining to suit every
culinary whim and wallet, with the biggest
concentration of eateries in the historic center.
They cater to locals as well as visitors, so
standards are high and prices are pleasantly low.
We also noticed that most restaurants were
locally owned and operated. Service is generally
good and friendly, although at peak times servers
are spread thin so it’s best to adopt the
unhurried Portuguese pace and relax. Don’t
expect the waiter to the bring check; like most
European countries you must ask for it.

134 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2019