This could have been my happiest Portugese day ever. Although, they were all pretty close...
As I mentioned in previous posts, I'm not usually one to travel by myself, so with a whole day alone I wasn't sure what to do. I really wanted to see Cascais as I had heard about only good things, it's the big beach town not far from Lisbon. I decided to do a bit of research for myself, and then go for the day, and boy I was happy I did. Turns out, the wonderful people of Cascais allow you to hire bikes FOR FREE. FREE. WHAT NICE FOLK.
You can get to Cascais from Lisbon by getting the train from Cais do Sodré station, and getting a direct line to Cascais. It's about a half hour journey and costs less than €4 for a return. If you can, get a window seat on the left, as in you're looking in the direction the train is heading... that left. It's worth it.
When I got there, I couldn't work out exactly where to get a bike from... but fortunately there was a really friendly tourist booth opposite the station, and they directed me to Parque Marechal Carmona about 10 minute walk away where you can get a bike. There is usually some outside McDonalds opposite the station, but of course those ones go first, you never know, you could be lucky.
I strolled to the beautiful Marechal Carmona Park. A really nice walk through the town centre, on the cobbled roads, past the cute shops and restaurants, and breathing in fresh sea air, until I came across the tranquil park. A beautiful place to escape the seaside hustle. It took me awhile but I found the bike hire man, and when I did, I was just was waiting for the catch to hit... but no, there wasn't one!? You need to be able to show your ID, they took my details from it and where I was staying, but I didn't even have to give them anything... just be back with the bike by 7! They're called Bicas bikes and they have cute baskets on the front too. I was in love. If you're unlucky and there isn't any left, you can pay to hire bikes, just ask the Bica man and he can point you in the right direction.
I got on my charming wee bike, and started to cycle towards Guincho. There's an amazing red cycle path which follows the atlantic coast line and takes you all the way. It's so picturesque you'll want to stop a million times. It's fairly flat too so don't worry about puffing too much. I must admit, I think my first stop was my favourite. Santa Maria beach house, where you can spot the blue and white lighthouse. Pitch up your bike and have a wander down, if you have the luxury of time, I'd spend some of it here, it's glorious and calm. But maybe do that on your way back, cause there is more to see yet!
Continue pedalling on the red route, until you reach a scenic wonder known as ‘Boca do Inferno’, which translates into Hell’s Mouth. EEKERS. Here you can admire some glorious rocky Atlantic views. It is something else. There's some cafes and market stalls here which are worth having a look at and bargaining for too.
There's also another good spot after this one which not many people know about, I don't know what it is called, but if you keep cycling you'll come across a white pop-up style cafe. It's on the bike route, has lots of tables and chairs out front, a porto-loo, a bike rack, and some beautiful views. If you pitch your bike up here a minute, a couple of yard before the cafe, there's a gap in the rocks with some stairs. In first glance, it looks like it's locked off, but it's not, if you walk down you'll see a lot more stairs and a great place to stop for a break if you've got the time.
After this point you'll be cycling on more of a main road, but don't worry, it's still coastal and on the designated red route, just a bit breeezier. If it's not too warm the day you chose to venture, it's worth taking a jacket. About two more thirds of the journey, you’ll reach Guincho beach, a world-class windsurf beach. Unfortunately I had to be too conscious of time so I didn't make it there, I stopped at a random little stop which was amazing, nobody else around, and amazing high waves. Something special.
I cycled back, was gutted to give back my bica, but had wander around the beach town before I started to head back. There's all sorts of sea, stalls and shops to have a look at when you get back into town, so it's worth allowing some time to have a look at it.
Gahhhhhd, I want to be back there now!
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