Things to Do in Cascais in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Cascais
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Summer crowds have cleared but water temperatures remain swimmable at 20-21°C (68-70°F) - beaches like Guincho and Conceição are genuinely enjoyable without the August shoulder-to-shoulder chaos
- Atlantic swells pick up in September making this prime surf season at Guincho Beach - consistent 1-2m (3-6 ft) waves attract intermediate surfers while beginners still find manageable conditions at Carcavelos
- Hotel rates drop 25-40% compared to August while weather remains reliably warm - you're getting peak season conditions at shoulder season prices, particularly mid-September after Portuguese school holidays end
- September marks harvest season in nearby Colares wine region - the microclimate here produces Portugal's only coastal DOC wines and you'll catch actual grape-picking activity at the historic vineyards, not just tasting room tourism
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable and can arrive as sudden Atlantic squalls - when they hit, they tend to last 2-4 hours rather than quick afternoon showers, which can derail morning beach plans
- Water temperature drops from August's 22°C (72°F) to around 20°C (68°F) by late September - comfortable for active swimming but you'll likely want a wetsuit for extended ocean time, especially if wind picks up
- Early September still catches tail-end Portuguese school holidays until around September 15th - weekends can feel surprisingly busy at Cascais train station and beachfront restaurants until mid-month
Best Activities in September
Sintra Palace and Garden Tours
September brings that sweet spot where Sintra's microclimates actually work in your favor - mornings are crisp at 16-18°C (61-64°F) for hiking between palaces, but it warms to comfortable 23°C (73°F) by afternoon. The summer fog that often obscures Pena Palace views typically clears by September, giving you those postcard shots. Crowds thin dramatically after September 15th when Portuguese families return to school routines. The combination of manageable temperatures for uphill walks and fewer tour buses makes this the best month for tackling multiple palaces in one day.
Coastal Cycling Routes
September delivers ideal cycling conditions along the Cascais-Guincho coastal route - temperatures stay in the 20-23°C (68-73°F) range during morning rides, avoiding August's midday heat that makes the exposed 9 km (5.6 mile) coastal stretch genuinely uncomfortable. The Nortada wind that blows from the northwest is actually lighter in September than summer months, making the return journey from Guincho less of a battle. You'll share bike paths with locals rather than tourist crowds, and the light stays good until 7:30pm for evening rides.
Guincho Beach Surfing
Atlantic swells build consistently in September, bringing that 1-2m (3-6 ft) wave range that's perfect for progressing beyond beginner stage. Water sits around 20°C (68°F) - cold enough that you'll want a 3/2mm wetsuit but warmer than October when you're looking at 4/3mm thickness. Mornings tend to be glassier before the afternoon Nortada wind kicks up around 2pm, though that wind actually creates better conditions for experienced surfers. September avoids both the summer beginners crowd and the serious winter swells that make Guincho genuinely intimidating.
Colares Wine Region Tastings
September is harvest month in Colares, the only European wine region where vines grow in sand dunes and survived the phylloxera plague because the bugs couldn't survive in sand. You'll actually see grape picking happening at historic estates like Adega Regional de Colares rather than just touring empty vineyards. The Ramisco grape that defines Colares red wines gets harvested late September into early October. Temperatures in the 22-24°C (72-75°F) range make the hilly vineyard walks comfortable, and the coastal location means you're combining wine touring with Atlantic views.
Cabo da Roca Hiking
September brings clearer skies to continental Europe's westernmost point - that summer fog and haze that often obscures the dramatic 140m (460 ft) cliff views typically lifts by September. The clifftop trail from Cabo da Roca to Praia da Ursa ranks among Portugal's most spectacular coastal hikes, and September's 20-24°C (68-75°F) temperatures make the exposed 2.5 km (1.6 mile) descent actually pleasant rather than scorching. Wind can still gust to 30-40 km/h (19-25 mph) at the cape, so this isn't a calm beach walk, but that's part of the dramatic Atlantic experience.
Cascais Marina and Seafood Scene
September brings peak fishing season as Atlantic waters transition from summer to autumn - you'll find fresh robalo (sea bass), dourada (gilthead bream), and the first percebes (goose barnacles) of the season at marina-front restaurants. The outdoor terrace dining that's too hot in August becomes genuinely pleasant in September's 22-24°C (72-75°F) evening temperatures. Marina de Cascais hosts a monthly sunset market on first Saturday of September with local producers and live music - it's where Cascais residents actually gather rather than tourist-focused events.
September Events & Festivals
Cascais Jazz Night
This free outdoor jazz series runs weekend evenings throughout September in various historic squares around Cascais old town - Largo Cidade Vitória and Jardim Visconde da Luz host most performances. It's a genuinely local scene where Cascais families bring picnic blankets and wine rather than a tourist-focused festival. Performances start around 9pm when temperatures drop to comfortable 19-20°C (66-68°F) and run until 11pm.
Colares Grape Harvest Festivals
Late September brings traditional harvest celebrations at Colares wine estates as the Ramisco grape picking reaches peak activity. Several adegas host open-house weekends with grape stomping demonstrations, harvest meals, and barrel tastings of previous vintages. These are working harvest events rather than staged tourist shows - you'll see actual agricultural activity alongside the festivities. Exact dates vary by estate and harvest timing, typically falling in the last two weeks of September.