How far is Miguel Alves Horses from Lisbon?

Miguel Alves Horses is located at Quinta da Marinha, Cascais — approximately 35 minutes by car from central Lisbon (A5 motorway). Cascais is also reachable by train from Cais do Sodré station in about 40 minutes, with a short taxi or Uber ride to the quinta.

Do I need riding experience to book a trail ride?

No experience needed. Our Guincho beach trail rides are open to complete beginners. Before departure, we run a short safety and posture briefing — most first-timers feel comfortable in the saddle within minutes.

Are horse riding lessons available in English?

Yes. All our instructors speak English and lessons are conducted in English for international riders and expat families based in the Cascais and Lisbon area.

Can children take part in horse riding activities?

Yes. We offer riding lessons for children from age 5 and trail rides from age 8 (accompanied by an adult). We also run week-long equestrian summer camps for children aged 6 to 16 during July and August.

What should I wear for horse riding?

Wear fitted trousers or jeans and closed-toe shoes with a small heel. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, or shorts. Riding helmets are provided for all trail rides and lessons.

Horse Riding in Lisbon — Miguel Alves Horses

Thirty-five minutes from central Lisbon, at the edge of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, you can ride a horse along one of Europe’s most scenic coastlines. Miguel Alves Horses is an equestrian centre at Quinta da Marinha, Cascais, offering trail rides, riding lessons and summer camps for all ages and levels — including complete beginners. Whether you’re a tourist looking for an afternoon experience or an expat family wanting regular lessons, this is where to come.

Horse riding near Lisbon at Quinta da Marinha, Cascais — Miguel Alves Horses — The Guincho trail runs through dunes and coastal paths — one of the most scenic horse riding routes near Lisbon.

What we offer

We run three main activities, all departing from Quinta da Marinha in Cascais:

Trail Rides along Guincho Beach — guided rides through the Guincho dunes and coastal paths. Groups are capped at 6 riders, with an experienced guide throughout. Open to all levels. Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
Riding Lessons — individual and group lessons for adults and children, from first-timers to riders looking to improve technique or prepare for competition. All lessons are available in English.
Equestrian Summer Camps — week-long day camps during July and August for children aged 6 to 16. Daily riding sessions, horse care, outdoor activities and a closing demonstration for parents on Friday.

We also offer horse boarding for owners based in the Lisbon area — full livery with individual stables, turnout paddocks and access to both indoor and outdoor arenas.

Where we are — and how to get here from Lisbon

We are located at Quinta da Marinha, Cascais — one of Portugal’s most sought-after areas, known for its golf courses, beaches and international community.

By car: 35 minutes from Lisbon via the A5 motorway. Free parking on site.
By train + taxi: Take the Cascais line from Cais do Sodré station (Lisbon) to Cascais — 40 minutes. From Cascais station, a short Uber or taxi ride reaches the quinta.
From Sintra: 20 minutes by car along the EN247 coastal road.

Quinta da Marinha equestrian centre in Cascais, near Lisbon and Sintra — Quinta da Marinha sits between Cascais and Sintra, inside the protected Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.

Who it’s for

Most of our riders arrive with no experience at all — and that’s exactly who we’re set up for. Our school horses are calm, well-trained animals that know the trails and the arena better than anyone. First-timers are always accompanied closely and never pushed beyond their comfort level.

We regularly work with:

Tourists and visitors looking for an active, off-the-beaten-track experience near Lisbon.
Expat families based in Cascais and the greater Lisbon area who want regular lessons for themselves or their children.
Experienced riders relocating to Portugal and looking for a serious training environment with competition-level facilities.
Corporate groups seeking an unusual team-building or client entertainment experience.

We accept riders from age 5. There is no upper age limit. Weight limit for trail rides is 100 kg, out of respect for the horses.

How to book

Trail rides can be booked online with at least 48 hours’ notice. Riding lessons are available as single sessions or in blocks — we recommend a block of 5 or 10 lessons if you plan to stay in the area or live locally. Summer camp places are limited and fill up quickly, particularly for July — early registration is strongly recommended.

All bookings include a riding helmet, safety vest (optional), guide or instructor and accident insurance. No equipment of your own is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Miguel Alves Horses from Lisbon?: About 35 minutes by car via the A5. Also reachable by train to Cascais (40 min from Cais do Sodré) followed by a short taxi or Uber ride.
Do I need riding experience for a trail ride?: No. Trail rides are open to complete beginners. We run a short briefing before departure — most first-timers feel at ease within the first few minutes.
Are lessons available in English?: Yes. All our instructors speak English. Lessons are conducted in English for international and expat riders.
Can children participate?: Yes — lessons from age 5, trail rides from age 8 (accompanied by an adult). Summer camps for ages 6 to 16 run in July and August.
What should I wear?: Fitted trousers or jeans and closed-toe shoes with a small heel. No sandals or shorts. Helmets are provided.

Ready to ride?

Check availability and book your trail ride or first lesson online. Places are limited — especially on weekends and during summer.