Cascais Things to Do

4 more images

Leaving Praca 5 de Outubro and the Town Hall, I crossed over Avenida Don Carlos 1 and came to the Fishermans Beach.

This is a great spot for people watching, and seeing some of the fishermen tending their nets, preparing lobster pots etc. There are also lots of places to take photos over the Baia de Cascais.

The small sandy beach had quite a few sunbathers, and children paddling. There is a notice advising that as there is fishing activity, the water is not suitable for bathing!(pic 2)

On the 15th August each year, as part of the towns Sea Festivities, this beach is the starting point of Our Lady of the Navigators sea procession.

I'm not sure if the statue of the female looking out to sea represents 'Our Lady'(pic 5) or not!

Looking at the resort of Cascais today, with its smart Boulevards, restaurants, shops and hotels, it might be hard to imagine the small fishing village that originated in the 12th Century, where the inhabitants eked out a living in fishing the seas, and subsequent trades.

Apparently, the old fishing village was demolished to make way for the construction of a hotel -The Baia or the Villa Albatroz?

(Later that day, I was to visit the Museo du Mer- Museum of the Sea, which has lots of interesting information about the history of Cascais's fishing industry, and the lives of the fishermen and their families)

Fish caught, is auctioned daily (except Sundays), which I understand takes place early morning and/or around 1700hrs.

I regret not having seen this, or hearing the auctioneer conducting the bidding in rapid fire colloquialisms - not that I'd have understood if he spoke 'The Kings Portuguese'!

Some of the fish and seafood sold to the local restaurants include sardines, squid, cod fish (which may be preserved later in salt to form the traditional Bacalhou) lobster, crab, sea bream, barnacles, conger, lamprey, cockles, octopus sole and robale.

The quality of the fish caught and prepared here in Cascais attracts food lovers from Lisbon to its many restaurants,which specialise in fish and seafood.

Although, if you want to visit Cascais especially for a fish meal, try to avoid Mondays as the Fishermen don't go to sea on Sundays, so the fish sold won't be as fresh as on other days.

4 more images

The Town Hall of Cascais is an attractive building, which dates from the 18th century, and was almost completely restored, in 1821, following the devastating earthquake of 1755.

Above the main doorway, is an engraving commemorating the restoration date.

The Town hall is noted for its for its old hand painted tiles (Azulejos), decorating its interior and exterior. I'm afraid that I didn't get the chance to look inside.

Between each balcony is a different picture - many show saints or apostles.
The balconies have potted plants on them.
Outside the town hall are seats, where the local men gather to chat and put the world to rights!

If you're wanting to explore Cascais and its surrounding areas of interest, bike hire is free. Apparently, you just hand in your passport or driving licence here at the Town Hall.

The Town Hall is located in the Praca 5 de Outubro

On the 5th October 1910, Portugal established the First Republic, after the monarchy of King Manual 11, was ousted by revolutionaries, and Tiofilo Braga, a writer, became President. So this is the reason for the squares name.

You can chill out at the nearby O'Neills Irish bar and enjoy looking at the Town Halls exterior.

One VTer who's well known for wielding a video camera (now who could that be????) had his wrists slapped for trying to film inside this building (so his wife told me!)

Boca do Inferno (or Hell's Mouth) is a coastal rock formation with an inner small sea lake. Dependent on currents and winds the seawater can be pushed upwards here and create a spectacular view. Some of the natural formed caves can be explored.

2 more images

This is a street that I passed through most of the days (and nights) that I spent in Cascais, mainly to get from my accommodation to meet up with other VTers at O'Neils in the next square (Lg.5 de Outubro) I also ate in this square a few times, as there are many restaurants serving Portuguese and international dishes (Please see my Restaurant tips for more info)

This is a good place for people watching, or as a meeting place.There are also a few souvenir shops where you can purchase post cards, and gifts made of cork or Axjuelo tiles etc.

Luís Vaz de Camões is thought to have been born around 1524. Before his death in 1580, he had become Portugals greatest poet, with his work being considered equal in merit to Shakespeare, Homer, Dante and Virgil. Os Lusíadas. is considered to be his masterpiece.

Here's a LINK to Wikipedia for more info on his life and works

As well as this statue in Cascais, there is a more grandiose example in Lisbon (and no doubt other towns and cities around Portugal)

4 more images

After wandering as far as the railway, I headed back past the beach and along Rua Frederico Arouca. This is one of Cascais's most interesting streets for Restaurants and speciality shops. There are also some interesting things to see if you look up to the roofs and chimneys and the walls of the buildings, as well as the typical stone flooring (Calçada Portuguesa) with its 'trick of the eye' wave patterns!(pics 2-5)
As you can see from my main photo, this is a place to see (or avoid) street entertainers.

It was mid afternoon when I walked along here, there was a lovely 'waking up from a siesta feel' to the street, shops were open as were restaurants, there was a nice relaxed feel. Not too many people around, and the entertainers were enjoying some 'Time-Out' too

For me, it was the ideal time. I'm sure in the height of summer you wouldn't be able to wander along and spot the hidden gems without getting in someones way.

I was surprised to find at the end of this street I'd wandered back into Lg. Luis de Camoes, and was heading into Lg.5 de Outobro, where I'd started this walk a few hours earlier.

2 more images

Overlooking Conceição beach and beyond, is this building that I thought was quite impressive looking, with its terracotta coloured walls and white ?marble balconies and turrets, which I thought were in a Moorish Andalucian style.

I'm afraid that I forgot to look for the name of this building, and since my return I haven't been able to find out anything about it - Who it was built for and when? Was it a private Villa/Palace, or did it have an official purpose? What is it used for today?
Can anyone help?

I've come across a mention of The House of Palmerie -This does have palm trees surrounding it, but again I can't find any photos to compare.

This is a larger beach than the previously mentioned Rainha and Pescadores. As you can see from my photo, there are beach umbrellas offering shade from the overhead sun, sun loungers, showers.
Wooden boardwalks enable easy access across the sand.

Lifeguards on duty during the Summer Season. Kiosks nearby selling drinks and ices etc.
Disabled access, via a ramp from the promenade.
Within a few metres of the train station and bus stop, so it's popular with locals and Lisboans as well as holidaymakers.

On my first visit here, I was content just to have a quick look before continuing on my walk. I did return here later in the week, for a short spot of sunbathing.

2 more images

Continuing on, I spotted this small chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
It was closed at the time of my visit.
I've tried to find out a bit more about this small chapel since my return home.
Although Cascais has quite a few churches sprinkled around the town and environs, there isn't too much information about any of them. Many, including this one, aren't even identified on the town maps.
This chapel however, gives its name to the Beach below - Conceicao Beach.