Things to Do in Cascais in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Cascais
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Warm beach weather without the scorching heat - that 78°F (26°C) high is genuinely perfect for beach days, warm enough to spend hours in the water but not so hot you're hiding in air conditioning. The Atlantic stays around 68°F (20°C) in August, which locals consider prime swimming temperature.
- Peak season crowds have thinned considerably - Portuguese families who packed the beaches in July have mostly returned to work by mid-August, meaning you'll actually find space on Praia da Conceição and won't wait 90 minutes for a table at the waterfront restaurants. Hotel rates drop 15-25% compared to July while weather stays essentially identical.
- Extended daylight hours give you serious flexibility - sunrise around 6:45am and sunset past 8:30pm means you can hit the beaches early before UV peaks, take a proper afternoon break, and still have 3-4 hours of evening light for clifftop walks or outdoor dining. That extra daylight matters when you're maximizing a short trip.
- Summer festival season is still going strong - the outdoor concert series at Cascais Cultural Center runs through August, plus you'll catch the tail end of the Estoril Jazz Festival. The town maintains that festive summer energy with night markets and open-air cinema screenings, but without the July chaos.
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable and can mess with beach plans - while rainfall totals are technically low, August sits in a transition period where Atlantic weather systems become less stable. You might get three gorgeous days followed by a grey, drizzly afternoon that kills your beach momentum. The rain rarely lasts all day, but it's enough to require backup plans.
- Humidity at 70% makes that moderate temperature feel warmer than the thermometer suggests - especially if you're planning active days hiking to Cabo da Roca or cycling the coastal route to Guincho. Mornings feel fresh, but by 2pm that humid air gets heavy. Not unbearable, just something to factor into your activity timing.
- Peak UV index of 8 requires genuine sun protection discipline - the Atlantic breeze can fool you into thinking you're fine, then you realize at dinner you've burned. This matters particularly on boat trips to the Berlengas Islands where there's zero shade and that ocean reflection intensifies exposure. You'll need to reapply sunscreen more often than feels necessary.
Best Activities in August
Coastal hiking from Cascais to Guincho Beach
August weather is actually ideal for the clifftop trails - that variable cloud cover provides natural breaks from sun exposure, and morning temperatures in the low 60s°F (16-17°C) make for comfortable hiking before things warm up. The 9 km (5.6 miles) route from Boca do Inferno to Guincho takes about 2.5 hours, and you'll have the trails mostly to yourself if you start by 8am. The Atlantic stays rough enough in August to create dramatic wave action against the cliffs, which is what makes this hike visually spectacular rather than just a pleasant walk. Wind picks up significantly by afternoon, so definitely tackle this morning or late afternoon.
Surfing lessons at Guincho or Carcavelos beaches
August brings consistent northwest swells without the intimidating winter wave size - perfect conditions for beginners and intermediates. Water temperature around 68°F (20°C) means you'll want a 3/2mm wetsuit but won't be freezing, and those partly cloudy days actually work in your favor since you're not getting scorched while sitting on your board. Guincho gets bigger waves and stronger wind (it's a serious windsurfing spot), while Carcavelos offers gentler conditions and easier access from Cascais. Morning sessions from 9-11am typically have the cleanest conditions before afternoon wind chop kicks in.
Day trips to Sintra's palace circuit
August weather in Sintra runs 5-7°F (3-4°C) cooler than Cascais due to elevation and forest cover, making it genuinely more comfortable for palace touring than the summer peak. That variable cloud cover keeps temperatures manageable while you're climbing up to Pena Palace at 500m (1,640 ft) elevation. The catch is that August still brings decent crowds, but if you arrive at Pena or Quinta da Regaleira right at 9:30am opening, you'll get 60-90 minutes before tour groups arrive. The train from Cascais to Sintra takes 45 minutes and runs every 20 minutes - far easier than driving and dealing with parking nightmares.
Kayaking and paddleboarding along the Cascais coastline
August ocean conditions hit a sweet spot - warm enough that falling in isn't miserable, but with enough Atlantic swell to make it interesting without being dangerous for intermediate paddlers. The stretch from Cascais Marina to Praia da Rainha offers sheltered coves and sea caves you can explore, with that 70% humidity actually feeling refreshing once you're on the water. Morning sessions before 11am give you glassy conditions before afternoon sea breezes pick up. The water clarity in August is excellent for spotting fish and occasional octopus in the rocky areas.
Wine tasting tours in Colares wine region
August is harvest preparation season in the unique Colares vineyards, where vines grow in sand dunes just 2 km (1.2 miles) from Guincho Beach. The phylloxera-resistant vines here are ungrafted and ancient, producing wines you literally cannot taste anywhere else. While September brings actual harvest, August offers vineyard tours without the chaos, and winemakers have more time for detailed explanations. The coastal microclimate keeps temperatures moderate even on warmer days, and combining a morning vineyard visit with afternoon beach time at Guincho makes perfect logistical sense.
Boat excursions to Berlengas Islands Nature Reserve
August offers the calmest Atlantic crossing conditions of the year for the 10 km (6.2 miles) trip to Berlengas, though that's relative - this is still open ocean and the 45-minute boat ride can get bouncy. The island's protected waters are genuinely spectacular for snorkeling with visibility reaching 15-20m (49-66 ft), and August water temperatures make it tolerable with just a wetsuit. The 17th-century fortress and sea caves are accessible via small boats, and the seabird colonies are still active though past peak nesting season. Only 550 visitors allowed daily to protect the ecosystem, which keeps it from feeling overrun despite August timing.
August Events & Festivals
Cascais Night Market (Mercado da Vila)
Runs Wednesday evenings through August from 7pm-midnight in the historic town center. This is where locals actually come for dinner rather than tourist traps - dozens of food stalls serving everything from grilled sardines to Asian fusion, plus craft vendors and live music on the main stage. Prices run 4-8 euros per dish, and the atmosphere gets genuinely festive as families settle in for the evening. Worth noting that it gets packed by 8:30pm, so arrive earlier for easier table access.
Estoril Jazz Festival
Typically runs late July through early August with final concerts in the first week of August. Free outdoor performances in Estoril gardens plus ticketed shows at the Cultural Center featuring international and Portuguese jazz artists. Even if you miss the official festival dates, the jazz club scene in Cascais and Estoril stays active through August with weekly jam sessions. Check current year schedule since exact dates shift annually.