Paula Rego’s ‘house of stories’ is a great place for the Rego fan or newcomer to her work. It has just reopened with a new presentation of the collection. No car is necessary if you come by train from Lisbon. Cascais is a wonderfully walkable place with a huge number of cafes and restaurants. The gallery has a collection which reflects the artist’s development from her youth to her early days as an art student in England. There are also other stages of her work well represented. I went with a young female relative (14) who was so fascinated that she went back the next day to give the last room more time. Rego’s lifetime representation of the human and female experience is very timely. Her Anglophile life is also reflected in her work particularly the nursery rhyme graphic work. Cascais is such a pretty place to visit any way but this gallery makes it a destination on its own. The staff are very helpful, there’s a very good shop and cafe. The train ride from Lisbon is only 40 minutes, is inexpensive and takes you along the coast the whole way. There is a particularly nice park over the road (with an excellent cafe) with a lake which is the home to a wonderful turtle community who seem to be permanently basking in the sun.

Visited several museums and cultural centres but had a nagging feeling that there were big holes in the state’s depiction of Portugal’s history. Cue Paula Rego’s visual critique of the Salazar regime. Honest and brave and incredibly challenging, and well worth a visit.

The building and the art museum are worth a visit in Cascais. We didn't have too much time unfortunately, but had received a free voucher for all museums from our short term rental host. It is definitely worth a visit, with temporary exhibits in addition to Rego's work.

We came on a pilgrimage to see more of Paula Rego's work and certainly weren't disappointed. Fabulous building, lovely staff - welcoming and very knowledgable - and the current exhibition - Paula Rego's work with fairy tales was, literally, enchanting. Totally worth the trip to Cascais, in fact it was what had brought us to Portugal.