Santini

Santini is an ice cream name that nearly every Portuguese person knows, and Cascais is where it began. According to the company, the brand was founded in 1949 in the seaside town by Attilio Santini, an Italian ice cream maker who settled there, and it grew into a national chain with shops in many cities. Despite its growth, the original shops in Cascais are still the place to go, and the town has long associated the name with summer afternoons on the seafront.

The gelato itself is the reason for the reputation. Santini built its name on natural ingredients, with fruit flavours made from real fruit and creamy flavours made from milk and eggs, and a long list of flavours that range from classic vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut to fresh lemon, strawberry, mango and coconut. Many people have their favourites, and queues form outside on warm days. Portions are generous, and the ice cream comes in cones, cups or tubs to take away. In winter, the shop offers hot chocolate and pastries, and it stays open, though with shorter hours.

Cascais is one of the most pleasant resort towns on the Lisbon coast, and a stroll with an ice cream is a natural way to enjoy it. A short walk from the shops leads to the fishermen's beach, Praia da Ribeira, where boats are drawn up on the sand, and to the old citadel, now part of a cultural and hotel complex, with a small museum and a courtyard. The fish market, where the daily catch is auctioned in the afternoon, and the lanes of the old town, with their cafes and restaurants, are close by. From there, the coastal path leads along the cliffs to the Boca do Inferno and beyond, and the Marechal Carmona Park lies a short way inland, with shady paths.

The shops operate at more than one location in the town, with longer opening hours in summer, so check before you go, as times vary by season and by branch. Payment is by card or cash at the counter, and the prices are in line with those of other good gelato shops in Lisbon. There is no admission, and a visit takes only a few minutes, though people often linger on the benches nearby.

Cascais is easy to reach by train from Lisbon, a trip of around forty minutes from Cais do Sodré, and an ice cream stop combines well with a day of sightseeing, a swim or a bike ride along the coast. The shop suits anyone with a sweet tooth, families and those who like to try local favourites.