Key takeaway: Cascais sits 30 km west of Lisbon on the Atlantic coast, putting six top day trips within 90 minutes by car. Sintra's UNESCO palaces (20 min), Cabo da Roca (the western edge of continental Europe, 25 min), Óbidos medieval town (50 min) and the Arrábida nature park (1h 15 min) all make easy single-day round trips. Total fuel cost per day is around 15-25 euros (16-27 dollars) on the toll-free coastal route, or 22-32 euros via the A5 motorway with Via Verde transponder.
Cascais is the perfect base for exploring west-central Portugal. The town has frequent free street parking on Rua Frederico Arouca and the Marina, and three convenient garages for storing your car between trips. From there, the N247 coastal road and the A5 motorway open up the entire Lisbon peninsula. Fuel-up at Galp Cascais Centre (Rua Marquês Leal Pancada) is the cheapest in town – prices typically 5-8 cents below Sintra and Lisbon.
Sintra UNESCO palaces 15 km · Cabo da Roca 18 km · Ericeira surfing village 30 km · Mafra Royal Palace 35 km · Óbidos medieval town 65 km · Arrábida nature park + Setúbal 60 km. All under 90 minutes drive on toll-free routes.
Sintra, 15 km north-east of Cascais, holds three of Portugal's most photographed sites: the colourful Palácio da Pena, the Moorish Castle and the mystical Quinta da Regaleira. UNESCO listed the entire historic landscape in 1995.
Take the N247 north from Cascais via Malveira da Serra. Park at Sintra train station (Volta do Duche, 5 euros/day) or the official Pena Palace shuttle car park (Rampa do Castelo, 2 euros parking + 4 euros shuttle). Sintra centre's narrow streets are best avoided – one-way alternate, very tight in summer.
Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of continental Europe (9°30'W). A windswept clifftop with lighthouse, certificate booth (5 euros / 5.50 dollars for the certificate), and dramatic views of the Atlantic. Free entry and free large parking lot.
Continue the same N247 past Sintra; the road climbs Serra de Sintra and ends at Cabo da Roca. Be careful in winter – the cliff is exposed to Atlantic winds (up to 80 km/h) and signs warn against approaching the edge. Wear layers.
Ericeira is Portugal's first World Surfing Reserve (2011). The whitewashed fishing village has 8 surf breaks within 4 km of the centre, plus a vibrant seafood scene. Bring board, towel and wetsuit for spring/autumn waves.
Take the A5 motorway east to the IC19, then north to Ericeira. The drive includes a 5-km stretch of free coastal road with several surf-watch viewpoints. Park free along Rua Capitão João Lopes (close to the lighthouse) or at the seafront promenade.
The Mafra National Palace is one of Europe's largest royal complexes – 1,200+ rooms across 18th-century baroque architecture. Adjacent Tapada de Mafra (royal hunting reserve, 8,000 acres) has wild boar, deer and Iberian wolves.
Drive north on the A21 from Cascais. The palace has its own free large parking lot. Allow 2-3 hours for the palace, plus 2 hours for the Tapada (jeep tour mandatory, included in ticket). The full day works as 9:00-17:00.
Óbidos is a complete medieval town inside an intact stone wall. 13th-century gates, whitewashed houses, hilltop castle (now a Pousada hotel). Famous for ginjinha, the cherry liqueur served in tiny chocolate cups.
Take the A8 motorway north from Cascais. Park outside the walls at the official Óbidos lot (Largo de S. João, 4 euros/day). Walk on the wall (free, but no handrails – watch children). Stop for ginjinha at A Ginjinha de Óbidos (Rua Direita).
Need a car for your Cascais base? Compare prices from Lisbon Airport or central Lisbon – the same model can cost 80 euros less per week if you book through an aggregator.
Check live rates through DiscoverCarsThe Serra da Arrábida sits across the Tagus on the Setúbal Peninsula. Limestone cliffs drop into turquoise Mediterranean-style coves – Praia do Portinho (the postcard view), Galápos, Galapinhos. The town of Setúbal offers fresh seafood and Moscatel wine tastings.
Cross the 25 de Abril Bridge from Lisbon, follow the A2 to Setúbal, then the N379-1 mountain road into Arrábida. The drive crosses one of Europe's most scenic coastal mountain roads. Portinho da Arrábida is the must-photograph cove – arrive by 9:00 in summer to find parking.
Petrol 1.65 euros (1.82 dollars) per litre at Galp Cascais Centre. A5 motorway uses Via Verde transponder (free for Portuguese cars, billed via rental car). A8 toll Cascais-Óbidos: about 5 euros each way. Free routes (N247, N6, N247) take 20-30 minutes longer but save 10-15 euros per day.
Free street parking on Rua Frederico Arouca and around the Marina before 10:00 in summer. Saba Cascais (Rua Visconde da Luz, 14 euros/day) for guaranteed 24/7 spot.
April-June and September-October offer mild weather (18-25 C), open palace gardens and uncrowded mountain roads. July-August: Sintra and Pena Palace are at 100% capacity by 11:00. Book Pena 2-3 days ahead.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim earns a commission on rentals booked via DiscoverCars and parking via Parclick. We only recommend operators we have independently checked.
Last fact-checked: 11 May 2026. Primary sources: Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua (parquesdesintra.pt) ticket data, Câmara Municipal de Mafra Palace visitor info, ICNF Parque Natural da Arrábida regulations, IMT Portugal A5 toll schedule 2026.
