Palacio Seixas

The basics

Tours of the inside of Palacio Seixas are by special appointment only, so otherwise you can only admire the exterior and wander the gardens. The palace is a staple of Cascais walking tours, which trace the rich history of the seaside town at other landmarks such as the 5th of October Square (Praça 5 de Outubro) and the rugged Guincho Beach, hailed as one of the region’s finest stretches of sand.

Things to know before you go

• At high tide, you can get a closer look at the palace by swimming in front of it, so don’t forget to bring your bathing suit.

• The promenade surrounding the building is wheelchair accessible.

• There are plenty of cafés, stores, and restaurants within a short walk of Palacio Seixas.

How to get there

You can take the train from Cais do Sodre station in central Lisbon to Cascais, which takes around 40 minutes; trains depart several times an hour. From the train station, Palacio Seixas is just a 5-minute walk via R. Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo and R. Fernandes Thomás.

When to get there

Because the palace isn’t widely open to the public, you can visit its exterior anytime. Cascais is busiest from June to September, when Lisbon locals escape the city heat for the coast, so expect it to feel very crowded if you visit then.

The delights of Sintra

Cascais is a stone’s throw from one of Portugal’s top attractions, the postcard-perfect region of Sintra. Mysterious grottoes, candy-colored palaces, and ancient castles pepper lush green mountains that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Highlights include the UNESCO–listed historic center of Sintra and Pena Palace, famous for its bright colors.