Cascais With Kids: What It’s Like With a Stroller (And Toddlers in Tow)

Thinking of visiting Cascais with kids? This charming coastal town in Portugal, just west of Lisbon, is perfect for a short visit—even if you’re traveling solo with little ones in a stroller.

Earlier this month, I spent a morning exploring Cascais with a stroller, my two toddlers, and a fellow parent-friend who was also traveling solo with her 3-year-old. We only had a few hours to spare, but we packed in sandy beaches, scenic viewpoints, and one of the best parks I’ve ever visited with kids. Here’s exactly what we did, how stroller-friendly the city turned out to be, and what made this quick stop so memorable.

Getting Into Town: Uber Without Car Seats

We were staying at Sheraton Cascais Resort (full review here), about a 10–15 minute drive from the city center. When I asked the front desk about transportation, they told me we could take either a taxi or an Uber—but that Ubers tend to be cheaper. Since we don’t travel with car seats (more on that here), I asked if that would be an issue. That’s when I learned something that made our entire trip so much easier: Ubers in Portugal are considered public transportation, and car seats aren’t required.

From then on, we relied on Uber XLs to get around with all five of us plus two strollers—and it worked beautifully. Our first driver even gave us a mini guided tour as we came into town, pointing out landmarks and offering local tips as we drove. It was a thoughtful touch that instantly made Cascais feel welcoming.

A Walking Tour in Cascais With Kids

We had arranged to meet up with Marga from Discover Portugal for a photo shoot and walking tour. She was not only an amazing photographer and guide, but also incredibly easy to talk to—and so good with my kids. Traveling with toddlers can be chaotic, but she made the whole experience feel calm and fun. I truly can’t recommend her enough if you’re looking for someone to show you around or capture special moments in the Lisbon area.

Marga met us right outside the Cascais Train Station, and from there we set off through the historic center, along the waterfront, and into one of the most peaceful city parks I’ve ever visited.

Praia da Rainha

One of our first stops was Praia da Rainha, a small beach tucked right into the heart of the city. It’s bordered by rocky cliffs and just a few steps from the main pedestrian street. There was easy stroller access to the top of the beach, and we left ours safely at the top of the stairs while the kids played in the sand below.

Even though it was a Sunday morning in early June, the beach was practically empty. The kids spent their time digging holes in the sand and climbing over the rocks—completely in their element. It was the kind of simple, unstructured play that makes travel with toddlers feel worth the effort.

Mirador Casa de Santa María

We stopped briefly near Casa de Santa María, a historic mansion built in the early 1900s, and took in the views from the surrounding lookout point. Marga pointed out that this was one of the best beaches to return to later in the day since it tends to stay much quieter than the main ones in town. My daughter slept through this part of the walk in the stroller, which gave me a rare chance to take some sweet photos with just my son.

Cidadela de Cascais

From there, we made our way past the Cidadela de Cascais, a historic fortress dating back to the 15th century. We didn’t go inside here either, but it was easy to navigate around with the strollers, and the open walkways made for a good break from the more crowded parts of town. It was calm, quiet, and felt like a natural pause in the morning.

Parque Marechal Carmona

We wrapped up our time with Marga at Parque Marechal Carmona, a sprawling city park tucked behind the citadel. This place was magic. There were peacocks and chickens roaming freely, wide grassy areas, shady trails, and a playground tucked into one corner of the park.

We grabbed ice cream at the little coffee shop inside the park and were able to use their bathroom afterward—always a win when you’re out solo with kids (here’s how I handle bathroom breaks when traveling alone with toddlers). We sat inside to cool off, and the kids were thrilled to have their own table to eat at. It felt like such a small thing, but giving them that little moment of independence made the stop feel special.

After our ice cream break, we headed over to the playground tucked into one corner of the park. It wasn’t fenced in and was very busy, which made it a little stressful to manage solo—but the equipment was great, and the kids were thrilled to climb and explore. I kept one eye on each child the entire time and mentally added “bring backup next time” to my notes.

Lunch at Guimas Cascais

For lunch, we walked a little ways to get to Guimas Cascais, a restaurant we found on Google Maps and chose for its local food and stellar reviews. The restaurant felt fancier and quieter than I expected when we walked in, and I was a little nervous about having the three rambunctious toddlers with us. But once we sat down, we quickly learned it was completely kid-friendly and they were happy to have us—they even brought crayons for the kids to color on the table. The food was extraordinary.

By the time we finished eating, the sun was blazing and the kids were clearly getting tired. We called an Uber and headed back to the Sheraton to cool off and rest. It was the perfect time to wrap up our little adventure.

Is Cascais Worth Visiting With Kids?

Yes—and more than I expected. Cascais strikes a rare balance: it’s charming, low-key, and easy to explore in just a few hours, yet it doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. The relaxed pace, walkable layout, and abundance of kid-friendly green spaces make it a surprisingly good choice for families with young children.

If you’re debating whether to include Cascais in your Portugal itinerary, especially with little ones in tow, I’d say it’s well worth the stop—even just for a morning.

Navigating Cascais With a Stroller

I wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to getting around town with strollers, but Cascais turned out to be surprisingly manageable. The sidewalks were a little bumpy in places, and there were some hills as we walked inland away from the beach, but nothing that felt unmanageable.

Final Thoughts

Cascais is absolutely worth visiting with kids. From sandy beaches and leafy parks to easy stroller access and genuinely kind locals, this little coastal town charmed the whole crew—toddlers included.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Next time, I might stay a little longer, grab a towel, and spend more time on the beach. But for a low-key morning exploring a family-friendly town in Portugal, this was just about perfect.

Have questions about these tips or want advice from other solo parents? Join my free Facebook group for parents traveling alone with babies, toddlers, and young kids. You’ll find support, real-life answers, and tips from parents who’ve been there, wherever you’re headed in the world.