As I tuck into my third bowl of ice cream of the day (coconut and strawberry, thanks for asking), it’s hard to believe I’m seated in this beachside restaurant in the name of wellness. But the ache in my abdomen is thanks to a schedule chock-full of gruelling activities, rather than my sweet tooth. I’m in Cascais, a coastal town half an hour outside of Lisbon, and one of the most beautiful places I’ve had the joy of visiting. Keen to showcase the ‘active side’ of the area, over the next few days the tourist board have left little time to enjoy the view, but it is one you simply cannot ignore.
Once a sleepy ishing village, Cascais became a summertime playground to Portugal’s rich and famous in the late 19th century, and has since evolved into a bustling and charming beachside town. Palatial villas dot the shoreline, while pastel-coloured buildings cast a warm glow across the cobbled town square. Home to a trio of golden bays, you’re lucky if you can bag a spot of sand at the weekends, but there’s plenty of space for swimming and suring in the clear waters. Designer boutiques, lively bars and alfresco ish restaurants populate the pedestrianised old town, and winding lanes lead to pretty gardens, small museums and a shiny marina. The bays can be taken in via the shoreline path, ideal for running, cycling or a leisurely stroll. The emblem of the town, a blue and white striped lighthouse named Farol de Santa Marta, sits atop a rocky outcrop and is now home to a museum on the lighthouse’s history. Legend claims the Portuguese were late to the lighthouse party, preferring to let ships sink in order to loot their treasures.