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Best Things to Do in Cascais
Cascais has been one of Portugal's chicest coastal escapes since the country's nobility first made it their retreat of choice as they followed in the footsteps of none other than King Luis I in the 1870s. It's reputation only grew during the 1940s, when it became the destination of choice for overthrown members of royalty from right across Europe. Their stories are told in the Exiles Memorial Centre, one of many exciting Cascais museums.
Easily reached from both Lisbon and Sintra, Cascais is arguably the jewel in the crown of the Portuguese Riviera. Its attractive cobbled streets are lined with whitewashed buildings. They reflect the summer sunlight while maintaining an authentic Portuguese vibe.
Surrounded by expansive beaches including Praia do Guincho, Cascais is also popular with water sports enthusiasts keen to tackle the waves on surfboards or by windsurfing and kitesurfing. It also has enough golf courses to fill the average family holiday, while Casino Estoril has long been known by fans of blackjack and roulette, including James Bond author Ian Fleming.
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The Museu do Mar, Rei D. Carlos, to give it its full name; or the King Carlos Museum of the Sea is set near the centre of Cascais. It is a modern museum (opened in 1992) that embraces both traditional and modern multimedia style exhibitions....
This 15th century citadel, overlooking Cascais marina at the mouth of the Tejo Estuary, has played a crucial role in the history of Portugal, having witnessed fights against pirates as well as battles against Spanish and French forces.
The...
Set within the leafy grounds of the Parque Marechal Carmona is the Museu dos Condes de Castro Guimarães - the museum / library of the counts of Castro Guimarães. The museum is housed in one of the most imposing villas in...
The easily recognisable Santa Marta lighthouse stands on what was once the southern tip of Cascais (the marina now extends beyond the point). Built in 1868 on the site of a 17th century fort the lighthouse only came into operation after the site...
Literally translated, Boca do Inferno means the "Mouth of Hell". Whether this coastal rock formation near Cascais actually lives up to its name largely depends on the sea conditions. On a calm, sunny day it can be positively idyllic, however,...
Whilst maybe not quite as glitzy as Las Vegas the Casino in Estoril is reputed to be the largest in Europe. Whether or not this is still case the casino is definitely big, offering over 1,000 slot machines. Game tables include roulette, blackjack...
If you’re looking to escape from Sintra's well-trodden tourist hotspots, and find a quiet, contemplative spot, this former monastery is just the spot. Almost hidden in a shroud of greenery, it gives a glimpse of the simple lifestyle of 16th...
Fairytale castle meets Disney palace set on top of the hill high above Sintra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the finest examples of 19th century Romanticism anywhere in the world
Situated on a high hilltop above the town of Sintra the site does indeed date back to the Moorish occupation of Portugal. The walls and towers that you see now though are the Romantic/decorative work of the 19th century King Ferdinand II
This 18th century neoclassical palace was built for the then Dutch Consul. It later came into the hands of the 5th Marquis of Marialva who extended it significantly, adding the arch in 1802.
The Seteais Palace occupies a prime position on...
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Cascais travel guide »
At the end of one of the suburban train lines out of the capital lies Cascais. This once tiny fishing village has grown in the last century to become the elegant beach town that it is today. Visitors are no stranger to Cascais, having...