Month: September 2025

On Day three, Scott and I headed to Cascais to visit my childhood home. I knew this trip was deeply personal and nostalgic. After exploring Lisbon, we set off on a short train ride to Cascais, the seaside town where I spent part of my childhood from age four to seven. What unfolded was a mix of memory, discovery, and local flavor.

Taking the Train from Lisbon to Cascais

We started the day early, walking to the Cais do Sodre train station to catch the Lisbon to Cascais train. The ride is only about 40 minutes, making it one of the easiest and most scenic day trips from the capital. Our Lisboa card that we purchased yesterday for the tram, also can be used on local trains to Cascais and Sintra (assuming you purchased the correct time window – for us we bought 72 hours). You can also purchase a reusable Viva Viagem card for .50 euro and load it by zapping credit. Each one-way trip costs 2.30 euro. You cannot pre-book these train tickets.

Trains to run every 20 min from early the morning to late evening.

Before boarding, we grabbed a quick breakfast—just a pastry from one of the small stands at the station. Options are limited, but it was enough to fuel our morning adventure.

Visiting My Childhood Home

Once we arrived in Cascais, we walked uphill about a mile from the station to my old house. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel seeing it again after so many years. Surprisingly, not much had changed. The main home looked just as I remembered, though a new house had been built in the backyard. It didn’t stir the emotions I expected, but I’m still grateful for the walk down memory lane.

Cascais Mercado: A Place Frozen in Time

Next, we visited the Mercado da Vila, Cascais’ famous local market. This was the moment that truly moved me. The market looks almost identical to how it did 50 years ago. Walking inside, I was flooded with memories.

The Mercado offers:

• Fresh produce, flowers, meat, and seafood
• Specialty food vendors with coffee, honey, and pastries
• Artisan stalls with jewelry, clothing, and gifts

It’s a vibrant mix of tradition and modern flair, and one of the best markets in Cascais.

Jardim Visconde da Luz Park

After the market, we headed towards the water, only to run into another quaint street with more restaurants, local vendors and a carrousel. I did remember riding the carrousel as a child.

Exploring Old Town and Cascais Marina

From there, we wandered into Old Town Cascais in search of the spot where old photos were taken with my mother. Though we didn’t find it, exploring the cobbled streets and shady parks was a joy.

Since we didn’t find the location in the park where I had taken photos with my mom, we headed to Santa Maria Mansion and grounds to see if that might have been the spot. After walking around the grounds, we had no luck.

We then made our way to the Cascais Marina, a modern waterfront lined with high-end restaurants, designer boutiques like Ralph Lauren, and luxury yacht dealers including Sunreef Yachts, Azimut, and Volvo Penta. The marina sits just below the Cascais Citadel, a historic fort now repurposed as an arts district where local artists showcase their work.

Lunch in Old Town: Flamingo Hotel

When hunger struck, we circled back to Old Town. Just like in Lisbon, the streets were lined with restaurants, each host trying to wave us over. I wanted a shady spot, and that’s how we discovered the Flamingo Hotel Restaurant, tucked in a breezy alleyway.

We ordered:

Mussels and clams

Chicken Piri-Piri (warning: the sauce is extremely spicy!)

Bolognese Pizza

Scott loved the sauce, but I stuck to my chicken plain. During lunch, I chatted with an older waiter who revealed that a childhood photo I was searching for wasn’t taken in Cascais at all, but in Sintra at Café Paris. Conveniently, Sintra was our next day’s destination.

Cascais Coastline & Beaches

After lunch, we headed back to the train station walking along the coastline of the beach. It was packed with people and lots of beachcombers. During that time, it was high tide and the docks were under water!

My First Home in Cascais – Estoril Sol Hotel

As a child, I had the unique experience of living at the Estoril Sol Hotel in Portugal for six months before my family moved into the house we would eventually call home. I still have photos of myself by the hotel’s pool, a place filled with sun-soaked memories and the carefree spirit of youth. The Estoril Sol was once a glamorous seaside landmark, but it was torn down in 2006 and later replaced by a modern condominium building. Though the hotel no longer exists, its history — and my own connection to it — will always remain a special part of my story.

A Birthday Surprise in Lisbon

When Scott and I returned to Lisbon, the train station was just steps away from the infamous “pink street”, so we had to go find it. It’s pink alright! That called for a cocktail in the Center Square after a long day of walking.

Then at our hotel in Lisbon, I was met with a beautiful surprise—a birthday cake and a bottle of champagne waiting in our room. It was the perfect way to reflect on the day. While my childhood home didn’t evoke strong emotions, the Cascais Mercado did, reminding me how meaningful simple traditions can be.

Dinner at Malfamati

After a long day exploring Cascais, we celebrated my birthday with dinner at Malfamati Restaurant, a cozy little spot with only about six tables (reservations are a must—we booked on The Fork). The atmosphere was warm and unpretentious, making it the perfect place for a relaxed evening. We started with a small charcuterie board before moving on to our mains—Scott enjoyed a pasta dish, while I ordered the “torte,” which turned out to be more like a quesadilla than a traditional tart. The food was simple yet flavorful, and the service was excellent, making for a wonderful birthday memory in Cascais.

Final Thoughts

Day three in Portugal was less about sightseeing and more about reconnecting with the past. Cascais may have grown into a modern coastal hub, but its traditions—like the Mercado—remain untouched. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or planning a Lisbon to Cascais day trip, this charming town is worth the journey.

As always, thank you for following our blog and story! Be sure to subscribe to our blog and channel (see link below) and on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally

Breakfast at Hygge – Starting the Day Right

Scott and I had a long day scheduled exploring the Belem district on day two. There’s nothing better than starting your day with a really good breakfast, and Hygge did not disappoint. I ordered the croissant sandwich, which was buttery, flaky, and just messy enough to be delicious. Scott went with their breakfast sandwich, and we shared a cinnamon roll that was so good it probably should’ve come with a warning label. Coffee, pastries, sunshine—yes, Lisbon, you had us hooked already.

The Lisboa Card Hiccup

Here’s where our “efficient traveler” plan kind of fell apart. We needed to grab our Lisboa Card, which gives you access to trams, trains (perfect for our upcoming trips to Sintra and Cascais), and tons of museums. Easy, right? Well, no. Turns out you have to order it online and then pick it up at one of six locations. Rookie move: we didn’t grab ours at the airport. Instead, we found ourselves waiting outside the Codfish Museum in the city center until it opened at 10:00 AM. Lesson learned! Once we finally had the 72-hour card in hand, we hopped on Tram 15 and were officially Belem-bound.

Belem: Monuments, Missed Opportunities & Sardines Everywhere

First stop: the Monument of Discoveries. It’s an impressive tribute to Portugal’s seafaring history, and the views of the Tagus River are gorgeous. Along our way, we passed by a fairly new shipyard and marina. Scott and I were impressed that the shipyard had flower planter boxes! Looking at the ramp and haul out, we’re not sure what they use this for as there was no mobile lift?

The Monument of Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) in Lisbon was originally built in 1940 as a temporary structure for the Portuguese World Exhibition to celebrate the nation’s Age of Exploration. It was later rebuilt in 1960 in stone and concrete, marking the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator’s death, who played a key role in Portugal’s maritime discoveries. The monument stands prominently along the Tagus River in Belém, shaped like a ship’s prow, with statues of Henry at the front and other famous explorers, cartographers, and patrons of Portugal’s voyages of discovery behind him. It remains a symbol of Portugal’s golden era of exploration and maritime heritage.

What was crazy at the Monument of Discoveries was how the ground or floor was laid out. They laid the tile in a way that the ground looked like it had hills, but it was in fact flat.

Belem Central District

From there, we walked through an underground tunnel over to the Jerónimos Monastery. Unfortunately, we hadn’t made reservations online (pro tip: you should!), and the line looked like it belonged to a sold-out rock concert. No way were we standing in that heat with 300 other people.

Next mission: the legendary Pastéis de Belém bakery. Except… the line was literally wrapped around the block. At this point, Scott and I just laughed. Lisbon clearly wanted us to practice patience (or skip lines altogether). So instead, we decided to grab a cold beer when we found this pop up stand offering “Free Beer”. LOL.

The beers were so cold and refreshing on this unbelievable hot day! They reminded us of when we hiked to the top of the Fort on the island of Dominica and enjoyed freezer cold beers!

Next Scott and I wandered the Belem district, popped into the “original” sardine shop (spoiler alert: there are MANY “original” sardine shops). These sardines were not cheap and we paid about 15 Euro for each can. We bought boneless/skinless sardines in olive oil and then a tin of grilled octopus. We enjoyed these on our last night in Porto. They were delicious!

Finding Lunch

As we wandered through Lisbon, we noticed how the streets were lined with outdoor cafés and restaurants—most of them extensions of the buildings behind them. Each spot had a waiter stationed out front, menu in hand, ready to entice you to sit down. Choosing where to eat became part of the adventure, as we compared offerings and atmospheres while strolling along. Eventually, we settled on a casual place at Cais de Belém for a quick lunch. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was exactly what we needed to recharge. And no, we didn’t end up at McDonald’s—though we were amused to see one tucked among the more traditional eateries.

Since we didn’t get a chance to try a Pasteis de Nata at the original bakery, we were now on the hunt for an alternative. Luckily, redemption came in the form of Manteigaria, where we scored fresh-out-of-the-oven pastéis de nata. They were everything I had hoped for—crispy, creamy, sweet perfection. Honestly, worth every calorie.

Museum Shuffle & A Much-Needed Spa Break

Feeling re-energized, we set off for the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT). Except… joke was on us again. Our Lisboa Card didn’t cover entry, and the staff wasn’t about to let us slide in. Oops. Plan B: the National Coach Museum, which ended up being a total hidden gem. I had no idea ornate golden carriages could be so fascinating!

We spent a couple of hours wandering through history before heading back toward the waterfront.

As we worked our way back to the Aurea Museum hotel, we stopped in the Commercio Square to grab a bottle of wine for the room. We were shocked to see how crowded it was at 4pm! This photo does not do it justice.

By late afternoon, our feet were screaming at us, so the spa at our hotel became the next “museum stop.” The Turkish bath was exactly what we needed after miles of walking. Honestly, I could’ve stayed in there all night, but we had dinner reservations at a highly reviewed restaurant, Casa Tradicao.

Dinner at Casa Tradição – A Perfect Ending

Dinner that night was at Casa Tradição, and let me just say: WOW. I had booked it ahead through The Fork app, and we walked in at 7:30 PM to an empty restaurant. For a second, I thought I had messed up. But within the hour, it was buzzing, and we realized why—it’s that good. One note about most restaurants we ate at is that the menu is most often written in Portuguese, not English.

As soon as we sat down, the waiter brough out a couvert of olives and bread. This custom includes items like bread, olives, cheese, and pâté, which are not complimentary and are added to your bill if you eat them.

The menu looked amazing and we wanted to try everything. Our appetizers included chicken liver dusted in hazel nuts and a type of bruschetta with cured meat on top.

Next we ordered Shrimp Acorda that was amazing. The broth is actually “brain juice”. The term “brain juice” is an evocative way to describe the flavorful liquid that is squeezed from the shrimp heads, which adds a deep umami taste to the dish.

For dinner I ordered cod topped with crunchy straw potatoes that was gorgeous, and Scott had slow-roasted beef on the bone that melted in your mouth. Lastly for dessert Scott ordered a different version of a pasteis de nata with icecream and Port.

The service was five-star, the wine was fabulous, and it was easily one of the best meals we had in Lisbon. While there is no official 5-star rating listed for it, the restaurant’s reputation for outstanding culinary experiences and value for money makes it a top choice for many visitors to Lisbon.

We wrapped up the night wandering little alleys, sipping cocktails, and soaking in Lisbon’s evening glow. Then it was off to bed early—because Cascais was waiting for us the next morning, and we needed all the energy we could get.

As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to our boating blog and our YouTube channel (link below). Follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.

Cheers, Scott and Ally