Just west of Carcavelos, Parede is an authentic slice of Portuguese living. Parede lies just 30 minutes outside of Lisbon’s city centre, which can be reached easily by train. Praia Parede is just a short walk from the main town. The beach has a small patch of sand, with a larger section of reef that spills out into the ocean.
The town has everything you can ask from a small seaside residential area. You’ll have access to shops, restaurants and cafes, all packed neatly together. Unfortunately, coworking spaces are yet to appear. Parede is great for those looking for a cheap option that is still close to Lisbon and the local surfing beaches.
🏠 Property prices: Cheaper than Lisbon
📸 Tourist density: No tourists
🥾 Good for hiking: No
💻 Coworking space: No
🌍 Nomads & expats: No
🏖️ By ocean: Yes
🏄 Good for surfing: Yes
🚆 By public transport to Lisbon: 30 min by train
Parede is a very nice balance between Lisbon and Cascais. It is not as hot as Lisbon (there can be 4-8 degree Celsius difference between Lisbon and Cascais) which is really nice in hot summer days. And the train line allows you to go to either place conveniently and either way it won't feel too far. During rush hours, Parede is also pretty much the last stop you can get a seat on the train to Lisbon. The town center also has the most number and variety between Oeiras and Cascais (multiple grocery shops, all the banks, dance school, Padel court, etc.). You can take care of all your needs without leaving town. It is mostly local and so the restaurant prices are also very reasonable, with a strong community feeling. I have met quite a few young German neighbors professionals who either work remotely or near the tech parks in Oeiras here so there are definitely expat/foreigners around, but not enough to dilute the authentic Portuguese vibe (In contrast to Cascais, which is mostly families with kids or retirees)
We are a UK retired couple. Moved from suburban London to Parede a few years ago. Parede is a complete Portuguese town that just happens to be on the Bay of Cascais. It’s not a tourist destination, although it has a beach and a few beachside bars and restaurants. It is well served by the Lisbon-Cascais railway and the town centre clusters around the station. In the town there are all the shops you’ll ever need for day to day life. There’s a covered market, coffee shops and restaurants, including one of the best seafood restaurants in Portugal (Eduardo’s which is quite affordable). - John, January 2023
🤔 Do you know a suburb near another city that is similar to Parede? 👉 Send your suggestion
Examples: Some people say that is Cascais is Malibu of LA🇺🇸 and Costa da Caparica is Zandvoort of Amsterdam🇳🇱
Pictures by John