Cascais Favorites

Favorite thing: Well, I suppose that when you don’t know a place you have to find a place that will provide you information about what you should not miss in that place. Well, yes I am talking about the Tourist Office. The tourist Office of Cascais it is located on the centre of the village, take a look at my photo and you can see a yellow house with the letters TURISMO, so is there.

Tel: 21 486 82 04

Favorite thing: Cascais has a beautiful marina where you can admire beautiful boats and yachts.
If you want to park your yacht contact
Marcascais - Concessionária da Marina de Cascais:
Tel.: 214824800
Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália - Casa de S. Bernardo - Cascais
e-mail - cascaismarina@mail.pt

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Favorite thing: A coastal town 30 km west of Lisbon, CASCAIS is one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village became a resort for Portugal's Royal Family in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Today it is a popular vacation destination for both Portuguese and foreign tourists.
The coastal settlement of Cascais originated in the 12th century and in its humble beginnings lived from the bounty of the sea.
Cascais has so much to offer to its visitors. Hans and I were never bored in our two weeks there.

Cidadela
Santa Marta Lighthouse
Cascais Marina
Cascais Town Hall
Santa Maria House
Casa Seixas
Cascais Cultural Centre
Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimaraes
Numerous Museums
Wonderful Promenade stretching from Cascais to Estoril
Boca de Inferno
Fabulous Beaches
Great restaurants
Need I say more! We loved it there!

Favorite thing: It is a beach with reduced dimensions, encased between rocks in the top of a mountain of which exists houses. It is located in the Centre of Cascais is a beach hidden of calm waters. In the involving zone you will find a snack bar with esplanade, as well as places of stay and contemplation. You just can access by feet.

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Favorite thing: One lovely and sunny afternoon, Hans and I decided to do our walk to the BOCA DO INFERNO. You go past the Citadel, past the Marina, past Santa Maria House and you come to the walking/cycling path which runs along the sea. You will see fabulous views of Rock formations and then you come to the famous Boca do Inferno, no more than two kms outside of the town of Cascais. The Sea, on rough days, hammers into the Rock and creates a booming noise and a spectacular spray, thus creating it's name "Mouth of Hell". The sea was calm, so therefore there was no spray. But Hans and I have seen it though. In 1996, we were in Cascais in January and witnessed the phenomenon and it was awesome.
There is also a small market there, with vendors selling crafts, tablecloths and linens, leather shoes, slippers and bags, and an abundance of souvenirs. All reasonably priced.
There is also the restaurant "Boca do Inferno".

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Favorite thing: Although very much now a resort town, as well as an affluent commuter town for nearby Lisbon, Cascais still shows many glimpses of its past, from the early years as a fishing village (fishing boats still bob in water just off the main square), through the building of the (still standing) Citadela as part of the defences of the mouth of the River Tagus, to its nineteenth century discovery by the aristocracy, many of whose mansions also still remain.

From the Middle Ages, the Cascais economy was based on fishing, maritime commerce (it was a stop for ships sailing to Lisbon), and agriculture (wine, olive oil, cereals and fruits). Due to its location close to the estuary of the River Tagus, it was also seen as a strategic post in the defence of Lisbon, hence the development of a fortress or citadel here in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 destroyed a large portion of the village, and in the following years it declined, and was for a while occupied by Napoleonic troops. But its growth as a fashionable resort and retreat from the city was stimulated in 1870 when the King, Luís I, converted the Citadela into a summer residence. Where the king led, the aristocracy followed, and several aristocratic palaces and mansions were built in the town. Some of the Art Nouveau houses built in the early years of the 20th century still stand, including this lovely house overlooking the harbour.

In 1926 the railway line from Lisbon to Cascais was electrified (the first to be so in the country), making it even easier for people to visit or even to move here. During the Second World War several Monarchs and Heads of State of a number of European countries sought refuge in here and in nearby Estoril, including the Duke of Windsor, King Umberto of Italy, King Carol II of Romania, Prince Juan of Spain, Count Henri of France. Others came too – aristocrats, politicians, actors, writers ... There were so many that the population increased by over 20,000 people between 1939 and 1946.

Today’s Cascais is a pleasing blend of history, tourism and everyday local life. The aristocracy may have moved on, but it is still a very pleasant and desirable place in which to live, as evidenced by the house prices I saw in the windows of local estate agents

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Favorite thing: The SANTA MARTA LIGHTHOUSE or FAROL MUSEU DE SANTA MARTA, is still functional, but having been automated , it doesn't need constant maintenance anymore, so has been converted to the first museum dedicated to Portuguese coastal lighthouses.
The lighthouse (1868) has a square masonry tower with lantern. Adjacent to the lighthouse, are the ruins of the 17th century Forte De Santa Marta.
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day except Mondays and public holidays.

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Favorite thing: Hans and I did not stay here, but a few of our VT friends did and they all loved it there.
Located in the very heart of Cascais ( Avenida Valbom 13) and right across the street from our Hotel Albergaria Valbom, is the Mediterranean style 19th century mansion THE PERGOLA HOUSE. It has elegant white marble floors and staircases, 10 rooms with "bas relief" stucco ceilings and all with ensuite bathrooms and a beautiful garden.
The house has always belonged to the same family for over a century. Its beautiful facade is adorned with ancient hand-painted tiles and flowering bougainvillea.
Just a few minutes walk from the train station and close to restaurants and the beach.
I just loved and admired this house and thought it was worth its own page.