Nazare or Cascais

They are both nice towns. Cascais felt more upscale to me, more "resorty," less character than Nazare, which is touristy (even "tacky"), but it felt more authentic to me somehow. Still, Cascais is a whole lot easier to get to from Lisbon than Nazare is. If you are doing just a day trip, I'd do Cascais, which is an easy train ride from Lisbon. Nazare requires a long bus ride instead of a complicated train connection, unless you plan on renting a car and driving. It wouldn't be worth going to Nazare unless you are staying a night, in my opinion.

Thank you, I appreciate the response.

How about neither? A worthwhile day trip is to Sintra. We stopped briefly at Cascais as part of a guided tour which was mostly about Sintra. Lot’s of Brit’s, British style pubs, little of interest. Nazare a beach town with mediocre restaurants, tons of souvenir shops, crowded bars with beach goers. Neither were places I’d revisit on return to Portugal. Lisbon itself deserves more time than most give it.

I wasn't blown away by Cascais, but some people love it. Friends of mine adored it and wanted to retire there. I could imagine going back for a relaxing, easy vacation on the beach or something, but it's not a place I'm dying to revisit.

Nazare, on the other hand, I really took to for some reason and wished I had spent a night and might return to someday.

I don’t care for Nazare. Evora is an excellent day trip from Lisbon, as are Sintra and Cascais.

Another vote for neither. Nazaré is a bit far, Cascais is pleasant but the "wow" factor is limited.
A good combo of oceanside and history would be a day trip to Ericeira - pretty coastal town, comparable to Nazaré in some wats - and Mafra, which has a stunning palace. Easily done by bus ; Uber also available.

I am in Nazare right now and the reviews are accurate (other than the restaurants being mediocre, my first meal was really good), it all depends on how you want to look at them. I like it here.

Most of the places have been alright. Rick says that there are very few blockbuster sights and he is right. I am really enjoying myself, but i would pick Spain or Greece before Portugal.

Seems like this place is missing something, I can't put my finger on it.

I would choose Nazare, but according to rome2rio it's 1:50 each way on the bus. Cascais is nice enough. When I was last there it seem to have a lot of groups of rowdy tourists drinking and whooping it up. I walked away with the feeling it was a bit grungy but I think that may because the hotel we stayed in was an absolute dump. Sintra is better than either one of these though. Nazare worked for me as a base for day tripping, was there for two nights (less than 48 hours). I don't know if it's a destination because there are not especially a lot of sights there. The beach is beautiful or was back in September 2008. A day trip to Sintra is not even enough though time though.