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Rita Gazzo | ULU
Rita Gazzo

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.

Hugo Geada
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Cascais’s calendar picks up the pace with something for every taste. At Casino Estoril, the comedy ‘Saída de Emergência’ promises plenty of laughs – the play runs from 1 to 4 October – while the Salão Preto e Prata hosts the modern premiere of the opera ‘La Vera Costanza’. At Parque Palmela, local talent takes centre stage at X Festival de Bandas Filarmónicas. Food is in the spotlight at Quinta da Bicuda with the collaboration between ULU and KAU Barbecue, perfect for a different kind of late afternoon. Finally, Nails n’Roll brings an irreverent 2000s aesthetic and plenty of punk rock to beauty treatments. In between, good luck finding time for swims, ice creams and walks. Have a good weekend.

Friday

  • Health and beauty
  • Beauty salons
  • Cascais

Nail artist Marta Machado is expanding her concept with the opening of a second Nails n’Roll shop, this time in Cascais, following the success of its debut in Miraflores. The space moves away from the usual minimalism in neutral tones, opting instead for a clear 1990s and 2000s California vibe, with purple walls, a ceiling covered in yellow smiley faces, posters of icons from the era – including Britney Spears, the Spice Girls and Blink-182 – and a soundtrack dominated by hip hop and punk rock. Specialising in nail art and gel-polish manicures using Portuguese brand Inocos, the service menu also includes pedicures and eyebrow and eyelash treatments.

Saturday

  • Music
  • Classical and opera

The opera La Vera Costanza, by Portuguese composer Jerónimo Francisco de Lima (1743–1822), returns to the stage more than 230 years after its last performance. Its modern premiere, promoted by Laboratório de Ópera Portuguesa (LOP), will take place at the Salão Preto e Prata at Casino Estoril on 3 October. The production revives the two-act version from 1789, originally performed at Palácio da Ajuda, as part of a project marking the 30th anniversary of Fundação D. Luís I.

The Auditorium at Casino Estoril hosts the stage comedy Saída de Emergência from 1 to 4 October 2026, a show packed with corporate intrigue, humour and unusual situations from everyday working life. Written by Spanish playwright Agustí Franch and directed by Flávio Gil, the play follows Lídia’s first day as human resources director at a multinational company. It stars Paula Neves, Marta Gil and Rafael Medrado.

Sunday

On 4 October, ULU welcomes Rui Matias, from KAU Barbecue, for a special afternoon at Quinta da Bicuda. From 3pm, the popular Texas beef pastrami will be served alongside dishes from the Cascais all-day café, accompanied by good music, speciality coffee, craft beer, wine, cocktails and other house drinks. Collaborations are a major focus for ULU, which wants to be more than a brunch and lunch restaurant. ‘We want to bring more life to our late afternoons, create new experiences and introduce our community to interesting chefs and local producers. Working with small independent Portuguese producers and artisanal businesses has always been an important part of our concept,’ says owner Evgeniy Zhukov. ‘With KAU, we wanted to bring one of its signature products, the pastrami sandwich, to ULU and give the collaboration our own twist.’

  • Things to do

Cascais Marina hosts the first edition of GP Cascais 2026 from 3 to 5 October, turning the venue into a temporary karting circuit. Organised by Karting Corporate in partnership with Manuel Gião Racing, the event brings together motorsport, corporate experiences and leisure by the sea. The first two days are exclusively for teams and corporate events. From 7.45pm on 4 October, Marina Lounge opens its doors for the end-of-season After-Race Party, with admission costing €10. On 5 October, the track opens to the general public aged 16 and over, with 270cc karts available to hire for 15-minute heats (€40 per person). The driver who sets the fastest lap of the day wins a €500 voucher for Estoril Racing Lab.

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.

Recommended: What’s new in Cascais

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.

Recommended: What's new 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.

Recommended: The best fish and seafood restaurants in Cascais

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