YOUR FAQs
GENERAL
There are maps, guides and brochures in the casitas to help you decide what to do and where to go during your holiday. Please use them as much as you like and leave them for the next people. Margin notes are much appreciated! Also included are local bus timetables. The bus runs from the centre of the village about twice-hourly every day except Sundays and Public Holidays, when it runs every hour. It goes right into the centre of town to Cascais Villa shopping mall, 3 minutes' walk from the beach and shops. The train station is just across the road. The trains to Lisbon are at least every 30 minutes except Sundays and Public Holidays, when there is a reduced service.
Do we need a car?
From Murches, there is a bus to Cascais every half an hour and takes about 10-20 minutes. Coming back you can also take the bus or get a taxi which costs 6-7 euros. (In the village for emergency shopping there's a small shop with fruit, veg. etc and also Panisol, the bread shop and cafe with to-die-for bread and cakes!)
The train to Lisbon takes about 40 minutes and leaves just across the road from the bus station. If you intend to do trips (like Fatima, Mafra and even Evora for the day) it is easier with a car but to potter around this area, buses are fine.
You can book a car on the internet but some guests have had long waits at the airport then have been told there is no car available - so book with a reliable company. There is plenty of parking in our cul-de-sac.
We run a shuttle service by arrangement for a small fee if you prefer not to drive or use public transport.
Is the pool private?
The pool is used by Eva (early morning and late afternoon), Hilario (but he's Portuguese and doesn't go in unless it's bath temperature!), son Jamie and occasional friends. There are loungers for everyone and lots of grass area so you won't feel crowded.
Windsurfers will want to go to Guincho beach. A car is handy to transport surfboards and there is plenty of room in our grounds to keep all the gear that goes with surfers.
SHOPPING
Basic necessities can be bought in the village.
There are many supermarkets in the area; (Lidl and Mini Preço are the cheapest). The shopping mall CascaisShopping has a wide range of shops and a big supermarket (Continente) and lots of easy parking, except at the weekend when it is very busy. In Cascais you have Jumbo (very good) and the new smaller mall CascaisVilla with a small but well-stocked Pingo Doce supermarket. The Food Court on the 3rd floor has a variety of different eating places and is very reasonably priced. The bus station is in the basement of CascaisVilla.
There is always one chemist (Farmacia) on duty after normal hours (7pm) and it stays open all night although there is a small surcharge on anything bought after hours.
MONEY
Can be obtained from the many ATM’s. Look for the Multibanco sign and use any card with a pin number to withdraw money.
CINEMAS
There are 7 cinemas at CascaisShopping. The films are in the original language (usually English) with Portuguese sub-titles. The times are usually around 3.pm, 6pm, 9pm and at midnight at the weekends. Monday night is cheap night otherwise the tickets are around 7 euros. The cinemas are all air conditioned.
SPORTS
Windsurfing - Guincho is the most famous beach with the world championships being held every August. Other sandy beaches up the coast are also good for this sport.
Golf - Within a short drive there are 6 superb golf courses and within an hour, many more. Eva & Hilario can lend you a set of clubs!
Tennis - There are tennis courts at the Quinta da Marinha sports complex which can be hired by the hour.
Horse riding - Stables nearby have good facilities. If you are interested in Lusitano horses, check out this site: www.promolusitano.com.
Sailing, diving and other water sports - the Cascais marina will advise about this
Walking, cycling - There is a 12-km track from Cascais to Guincho with beautiful coastal views. Also there is a boardwalk over the dunes which is a wonderful way to enjoy the scenery while having gentle excercise!
GENERAL
There are maps, guides and brochures in the casitas to help you decide what to do and where to go during your holiday. Please use them as much as you like and leave them for the next people. Margin notes are much appreciated! Also included are local bus timetables. The bus runs from the centre of the village about twice-hourly every day except Sundays and Public Holidays, when it runs every hour. It goes right into the centre of town to Cascais Villa shopping mall, 3 minutes' walk from the beach and shops. The train station is just across the road. The trains to Lisbon are at least every 30 minutes except Sundays and Public Holidays, when there is a reduced service.
Do we need a car?
From Murches, there is a bus to Cascais every half an hour and takes about 10-20 minutes. Coming back you can also take the bus or get a taxi which costs 6-7 euros. (In the village for emergency shopping there's a small shop with fruit, veg. etc and also Panisol, the bread shop and cafe with to-die-for bread and cakes!)
The train to Lisbon takes about 40 minutes and leaves just across the road from the bus station. If you intend to do trips (like Fatima, Mafra and even Evora for the day) it is easier with a car but to potter around this area, buses are fine.
You can book a car on the internet but some guests have had long waits at the airport then have been told there is no car available - so book with a reliable company. There is plenty of parking in our cul-de-sac.
We run a shuttle service by arrangement for a small fee if you prefer not to drive or use public transport.
Is the pool private?
The pool is used by Eva (early morning and late afternoon), Hilario (but he's Portuguese and doesn't go in unless it's bath temperature!), son Jamie and occasional friends. There are loungers for everyone and lots of grass area so you won't feel crowded.
Windsurfers will want to go to Guincho beach. A car is handy to transport surfboards and there is plenty of room in our grounds to keep all the gear that goes with surfers.
SHOPPING
Basic necessities can be bought in the village.
There are many supermarkets in the area; (Lidl and Mini Preço are the cheapest). The shopping mall CascaisShopping has a wide range of shops and a big supermarket (Continente) and lots of easy parking, except at the weekend when it is very busy. In Cascais you have Jumbo (very good) and the new smaller mall CascaisVilla with a small but well-stocked Pingo Doce supermarket. The Food Court on the 3rd floor has a variety of different eating places and is very reasonably priced. The bus station is in the basement of CascaisVilla.
There is always one chemist (Farmacia) on duty after normal hours (7pm) and it stays open all night although there is a small surcharge on anything bought after hours.
MONEY
Can be obtained from the many ATM’s. Look for the Multibanco sign and use any card with a pin number to withdraw money.
CINEMAS
There are 7 cinemas at CascaisShopping. The films are in the original language (usually English) with Portuguese sub-titles. The times are usually around 3.pm, 6pm, 9pm and at midnight at the weekends. Monday night is cheap night otherwise the tickets are around 7 euros. The cinemas are all air conditioned.
SPORTS
Windsurfing - Guincho is the most famous beach with the world championships being held every August. Other sandy beaches up the coast are also good for this sport.
Golf - Within a short drive there are 6 superb golf courses and within an hour, many more. Eva & Hilario can lend you a set of clubs!
Tennis - There are tennis courts at the Quinta da Marinha sports complex which can be hired by the hour.
Horse riding - Stables nearby have good facilities. If you are interested in Lusitano horses, check out this site: www.promolusitano.com.
Sailing, diving and other water sports - the Cascais marina will advise about this
Walking, cycling - There is a 12-km track from Cascais to Guincho with beautiful coastal views. Also there is a boardwalk over the dunes which is a wonderful way to enjoy the scenery while having gentle excercise!