PortugalCasitas

YOUR FAQs

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 5-6 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 30 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. We have a local chap at Auda Cars down the road who does rentals. Ask if you want me to get prices from them. There is plenty of parking in our cul-de-sac.
We also 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!), Jamie and occasional friends, grandma Dorothy (if the water is really hot) and the guests in both Casitas. There are loungers for everyone and lots of grass area so you won't feel crowded. Sundowners are often served by whoever has the coldest bottle of wine in the fridge and Dorothy loves company for her medicinal 6pm brandy!

You would probably also want to go to the beaches in Cascais. (Bus into town and the beaches are a 2-min. walk from the bus station - passing an excellent shopping street if you have a shopper in the family!!) Cafés are scattered along the promenade for those who like to look at the beach without the inconvenience of sand.
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.

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.

SHOPPING

Basic necessities can be bought in the village.
There are many supermarkets in the area; (Lidl and Mini Preço are the cheapest but don’t have a wide range of goods). 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 gets very busy. Down 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 and 5 in CascaisVilla. 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 5 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 are members of Estoril Golf Club and 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

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