Casa Rosa House

The Beaches

Just footsteps away from Casa Rosa lies the mesmerizing Ribeira Beach, historically the heart of Cascais where fishermen anchored and offloaded their bounty. While today’s fishing boats have migrated slightly downstream, Ribeira’s golden sands now play host to sun-seekers, tourists and footvolley enthusiasts showcasing mind-bending skills. A testament to its allure, Portugal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who resides mere houses away from Casa Rosa, often indulges in a swim here—sans security. A singular police officer guarding his residence is a subtle nod to the tranquility and safety Cascais offers.

A short, seven-minute walk eastward leads you to the quaint Praia da Rainha. This intimate beach, named in honor of Queen Amélia (Amélie of Orléans), beckons with secrets hidden beyond its rocky embrace. Quench your thirst with a drink from the bar right on the beach (open till mid October).

Venturing further reveals Praia da Duquesa, the largest of them all. With eateries and bars gracing its periphery, it’s an ideal spot for gastronomic delights. Seek adventure? Surf and paddleboarding rentals, alongside classes, await you here. Dive deep into the soul of Cascais, one beach at a time.

Food and Pastries recommendations

We highly recommend the seafood in Cascais and anywhere in Portugal. Our favorite is Baía do Peixe. It is 250 meters from the house overlooking at the bay. Their portions are large, and if you can book a table on the second floor near the window, your view of the Bay extraordinary.

Takumi is a new all-you-can-eat Japanese spot by the bay, around €25 per person, a bit more on weekends (drinks not included), where every dish is made to order. We love their freshness and fast service.

Buga Ramen is a new anime-themed ramen spot on the main square with quick service and a fun, cozy atmosphere. Kul Steakhouse gets good marks for it’s seafood and its pizza and outdoors location. Our top choice for Indian food is Masala Indian. We are huge fans of Indian food, but the truth is that it isn’t very good Portugal except for this restaurant.

At the end of Praia da Duquesa beach (your left when looking at the beach) you will find a pretty good pizza restaurant, Capricciosa. You have a choice of seating next to the beach or high above. If you go high above, try to get a window seat. It has an amazing view of Cascais. It gets really busy, so make a reservation here.

Pastel de Nata are the most famous and delicious Portuguese dessert. The creamy custard that caramelizes while baking in a light and flakey pastry crust is a must try! But this is far from the only one. A few meters from Casa Rosa you have Paul cafe with a good set of choices for bakery sweets.

The best espresso drinks in town (try the cappuccino) are at Euphoria Cafe, two to three blocks away. They open at 8 AM and have excellent breakfast options. The next best choice is The Coffee. The atmosphere isn’t as nice and the food menu is limited, but it’s a good backup when Euphoria is crowded.

For a world class lunch or dinner, consider visiting one of the two restaurants in Cascais owned by the most famous Portuguese Chef, José Avillez. Chef Avillez keeps accumulating global recognition. In 2023 one of his restaurants got 25th Best in the World Award. The two Avilez Haute Cuisine restaurants are Cantinho do Avillez (450 meters away) and Maré (5 kms away).

The history

Casa Rosa is built on top of tremendous history. What could be burried under it?

Praia da Ribeira was the harbor of Cascais, it was one of the most important harbours between Europe and the mighty atlantic ocean. It was a safe haven that attracted Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs alike. During the Age of Discoveries, Cascais was the port from where caravels depart to Africa, Brasil, India and China.

The recently opened Town Musueum (Museu da Vila) is just a few steps from the house. Scroll through the history of the town and county from the Neolithic to the early twentieth century.

To learn more about the history of Cascais and the recent archeological discoveries 100 meters from Casa Rosa Click Here.