Parque Marechal Carmona in Cascais is is one of the most child-friendly parks I’ve ever visited, it seems like everything here is arranged for children.
The park is very charming and at the same time adventurous, because of the many chickens and roosters that walk around freely, and because of the stone bridges and narrow paths that you can find throughout the park.
Both children and parents alike can enjoy themselves very well, because not only are there many things to do for kids, the parents haven’t been forgotten.
Besides the benches at the playgrounds, there are beach chairs on the meadow where you can enjoy some sun while your child is playing in one of the playgrounds.
Playgrounds
Parque Marechal Carmona has two large playgrounds. One playground is for children aged 1 to 8 years old, a little further up is the playground for children between 3 and 12 years.
The playground for smaller children also has play equipment for this age group. All playground equipment is smaller and the playground floor is covered with sand.
The playground for the older children has more challenge and the ground is made up of rubber tiles, which is convenient because there are many devices to climb on.
Sitting in your beach chair on the lawn you can keep an eye on both playgrounds.
Pond, beach and picnic
The sunbathing area and playground are great, but the park has more to offer. There is a pond on the east side of the park. This pond is not only inhabited by ducks, there are also some turtles around.
Near the pond is a cafe where you can eat a snack and have a drink. The cafe is also equipped for children. In addition to the ramp for disabled visitors and prams, there are plenty of high chairs available.
If you walk from thelawn towards the harbour you will find a picturesque little beach near Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães. The beach can only be reached via Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália.
In front of Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães you can find some picnic tables under the pine trees. This is a great place to enjoy your lunch.
You can also find a library for the elderly and children in the park. On Saturday’s there is an organic market with delicious fruits, jams, vegetables and other delicacies.
Clube dos Cascalitos – child & parent playground
Right besides the lawn, next to the restrooms is an indoor children’s playground: Clube dos Cascalitos. This place is specially designed so that children can play together with their parents. That is especially ideal if the weather is not so nice. There is everything in this indoor playground: kitchens, books (in Portuguese and English), games, blocks etc, etc.
The philosophy of Clube dos Cascalitos is that parents and children play with each other, spending time together is important. There is supervision, but it is certainly not the intention that the children are left alone. This place is not a free kindergarten.
Clube dos Cascalitos is for children between the age of 3 and 10 and is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (in summer until 6 p.m.).
Sports for adults
Do you want to work out during your holiday? That’s also possible in this park. In addition to being able to do some running around the park, there are sports equipment to train your arms, stomach and legs. You will find this training ground behind the pond with the cafe.
Especially at sunset you can see more and more Portuguese people running in this park.
If the park is too small for you, make your route longer to jog to Boca do Inferno. The route along the harbor is about one and a half kilometers.
This park shows that Cascais is more than just a luxury holiday resort.
Where to find Parque Marechal Carmona
The park is located in Cascais. There is a large parking lot near the park. For a maximum of 8 euros you can park here all day.
From here it is about a 10 minute walk to the center.
Opening hours: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (winter) 8:30 am – 6:00 pm (summer)
