Guincho beach area

Cascais, Portugal

Home to Fortaleza do Guincho, a 17th-century fortress with a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Places in Guincho beach area

• Fortaleza do Guincho Perched on the cliffs above the Atlantic in a 17th-century former military fortress, housing a Michelin-starred restaurant renowned across Europe.

Practical notes for Cascais

Best time to visit

May to September offers warm coastal weather for the beaches and seafront cafes.

Getting around

Cascais' historic centre, including Rua Frederico Arouca, is compact and walkable, with Guincho beach a short drive away.

Currency

Euro (€)

Language

Portuguese. English is widely spoken.

Timezone

WET (UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer)

Current trends

Cascais continues rising as a culinary destination beyond its traditional Portuguese, Thai, Chinese and Indian restaurant mix, with the Palácio da Cidadela's 2004 renovation into an art space and the Centro Cultural de Cascais's exhibitions of classical and contemporary art reflecting the town's growing cultural ambition.

Other neighborhoods in Cascais

• Rua Frederico Arouca — The main pedestrianised bar and restaurant strip in Cascais.
• Largo Luis de Camoes — The more raucous side of the bar and restaurant strip.

Read the full Cascais guide