Popular beach resort, known as a favorite vacation spot for the Portuguese royal family. Once upon a time modern city was a small fishing village, in 1755 it was badly damaged by an earthquake, and most of the buildings had to be rebuilt. The first appeared on the territory of the city quite early Railway, electricity was supplied, which was the main impetus for development.
Today all coastal zone occupy magnificent beaches, the largest of which is called Guigno. it real paradise for surf lovers as there are always big waves here. The beaches of Torre and Reberia are equally popular. Naturally, most of the hotels, restaurants, discos and bars are also located in the beach area, which makes your vacation varied and exciting. For lovers of water activities and attractions, the Marine Club is open every day.
If you get tired of relaxing on a hot beach, you can go for a walk along the cozy city streets. The dwelling houses here are small and peculiar, they are decorated with carved balconies and ancient tiled roofs, these are the houses that were built at the beginning of the century. Copyright www.site
The most famous historical landmark is the Fort, which was built in the 16th century. Today, a military museum has been opened on its territory. Another curious cultural institution is the Municipal Museum, which contains collections archaeological finds, works of art, as well as concerts of classical music. On the territory of the city there are several old churches, the construction of which took place in the 16th century. Walking along the coast, you can reach a rocky cliff. Due to the constant strong waves in one of the rocks, a cave was formed, which is called Boca do Inferno - a very remarkable place among travelers.
The city has preserved many luxurious palaces, one of the most famous and beautiful is the Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimaraes. Within the walls of this palace today is incredibly interesting museum, it houses a collection of 25,000 books, which is considered one of the largest in Portugal. Among these books there are real rarities, which are more than 500 years old. This museum also displays a rich collection of archaeological finds found in nearby caves.
In the immediate vicinity of the resort, there is the world-famous cliff Boca do Inferno, which tourists certainly strive to visit during a storm. The shape of this cliff is such that the waves beating against it contribute to the creation of an unusual noise that resembles the roar of a wild beast. For many years, the locals considered this place mystical and composed legends that near the cliff there is an entrance to the underworld. Only recently has the mystery of this picturesque place been solved.
There are many scenic spots for walking, one of the most comfortable and attractive is the Palmela Park. It was founded relatively recently; many beautiful plants were planted in this park and unusual landscape compositions were decorated. In the midst of tourist season in this park, music concerts are regularly held under open air and other entertainment activities.
The resort also has very interesting religious sights, including the beautiful Church of the Assumption of the Virgin. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city, when in 1755 there was a strong earthquake, it remained practically unharmed. Nowadays, many religious artifacts and values are kept within the walls of the church.
The Piedade Convent is also worth noting.It was founded in the middle of the 17th century. For many years this monastery housed the world's first official school of philosophy; in the middle of the 19th century, the ancient monastery was completely abandoned. Not so long ago, the historical buildings were completely restored and several new buildings were built, now the monastery has been converted into Cultural Center... It often hosts art workshops and events focusing on the history and traditions of the region. The ancient monastery is located on the territory of a vast picturesque garden, a walk along which will appeal to lovers of outdoor recreation.
If you are young and active, you like to dance until the morning and are interested in aquatic species sports, you should come to Cascais. This small resort town in Portugal is famous for its discos, great surf waves and endless delightful beaches. Although this does not mean that there is nothing more to see here. The city can please, though small, but interesting list memorable places... So welcome to Cascais (Portugal). We will consider the attractions of this resort below.
What to do on a sunny day in Cascais?
Not everyone is capable of lying on the beach all day and soaking under the Portuguese sun. And now the first layer of sunburn has firmly adhered to the body, the waves of the Atlantic Ocean are no longer so attractive, and I want to do something more active. Then it's time for a walk around the historic center and local sightseeing. Needless to say, Cascais is not Braga with its many ancient temples and chapels. But here, too, there is something to keep the tourist busy.
Let's start with the Citadel. Yes, there is a fortress here. Its construction dates back to the end of the 15th century. True, during the reign of Philip I, the citadel was partially rebuilt. From the end of the 19th - the beginning of the 20th century, the fortress has been unchanging summer residence ruler. By the way, electricity was installed here for the first time in the country. A small open-air artillery museum is now in the garden of the citadel.
Welcome to Hell ... More precisely, to its gates. This is the name of the grotto three kilometers from the city limits. It was hollowed out in a huge cliff by the raging waves of the Atlantic. In Portuguese, the name sounds like Boca do Inferno, which literally means "Devil's mouth". Today, many tourists come here to watch the waves hitting the rocky side of the cliff and crashing against it with a crash. The best thing, of course, is to observe this a natural phenomenon from the ocean side. Then the choice of his demonic name becomes clearer.
An attraction with a long name The Palace Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimaraes is located right in the city, so you don't have to travel far. A beautiful sophisticated building in the Gothic style was built here at the end of the 19th century. Its construction was commissioned by a wealthy aristocrat from Ireland. Then the house was bought by Count Castro-Guimaraes, significantly expanding the structure. In the 30s of the XX century, after the death of the owner, the castle passed into the hands of the state and was transformed into a museum. A real English garden with a small zoo is laid out in the vicinity of the building; St. Sebastian. The museum's library contains more than 25 thousand books, many of which date back to the 17th century, illustrated manuscripts. An impressive collection of furniture, silverware, porcelain, sculptures and jewelry is also on display here.
Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary of the 17th century. If you are a fan of architecture and interior decoration, be sure to visit it. This rather nondescript building with two small bell towers in the corners will surprise you with its beautiful interior. By the way, the nave of the church is decorated with images by the Portuguese artist and graphist Joseph de Obidos. In the chapel you can find a painting by her own hand "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary". The unusual thing is that the decoration of religious buildings by female artists is a rather rare occurrence.
There are also several forts in Cascais:
- Fort San Teodosio. A small fort from the mid-17th century was built within a year. Has the shape of a quadrangle. In three of the four corners, there is a round tower. On the western side huddled barracks, and the eastern and southern walls were dotted with loopholes for artillery. There was no permanent garrison here, and by the 30s of the XIX century, when the need for protection disappeared, the fort fell into disrepair and partially collapsed. Today the defensive structure has been reconstructed.
- Fort Santa Marta. It can be visited on the way to the castle-museum. The fort was erected on a rocky ledge over the Atlantic. A lighthouse is installed on its territory, which indicates the road to the port of Lisbon from the north.
- Fort do Guincho. It is also Fort Velas. The time of construction dates back to about the middle of the 17th century. It was erected as part of the fortifications on the coast of the town. The fort was maintained in order until the beginning of the 19th century, when there was a permanent garrison here. After that, the fort fell into disrepair, and in the early 2000s it was transferred to the ownership of the city.
Lovers of the sea and history should visit the local Maritime Museum. There are exhibits on public display that tell about fishing and the history of this port city... In addition, there is also an excellent collection of ocean dwellers. A significant part of the museum exposition is rightfully occupied by the collection of King Carlos I, who is considered the founder of the museum.
If you think about daily food, then Portugal in general and Cascais in particular is a paradise for seafood lovers. Most of the dishes are prepared from them. This is a great opportunity to please the body with delicacies with a high content of nutrients and excellent taste. This is Cascais (Portugal). Although its sights will not compete more famous cities countries, but will brighten up your stay at the resort.
Cascais, located a few kilometers from Estoril, in last years has turned into a real youth center with a large number of discos and nightclubs. Those who like to enjoy come here nightlife... Cascais Tourist Center includes Old city with a rich historical and architectural ensemble and a lively pedestrian zone, numerous cafes and restaurants. Cascais Beach stretches all the way to Estoril.
How to get there
Cascais is located 25 km from Lisbon, so the best way to reach your destination is to fly to the capital, and then get to your destination by train or bus. On the other hand, Cascais is on the route of the daily Lisbon-Porto and Porto-Lisbon trains, so if you find yourself in Porto first, you can easily get to Cascais from there. In addition, if you have a license, you can rent a car in any of the cities and enjoy the freedom of movement.
It should be recalled that it is more profitable and safer to book a car in advance via the Internet. You can also rent a car on site, although they may not be available during the high season. In small towns, prices are lower, in large cities, there is a wider choice and more parks.
Search for flights to Lisbon (closest airport to Cascais)
Weather in Cascais
Cascais, like the entire coast of central Portugal, has a temperate maritime climate that allows you to swim in the ocean from May to October. However, the largest influx of tourists is observed in the high season - this is July-August, when the air temperature is stable at around 27-28 degrees. At the same time, the water temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius, the rest of the year, the ocean is quite cold here, so for beach holiday say, in the spring you should choose some resort in the south of the country.
Transport
The city is quite small, so it is quite possible to explore it on foot. If tourists are going to go there in a rented car, they need to know that the situation with parking in its center is tense. It is better to park on the outskirts, and then take the BusCas mini-bus following the circular route around the city center (it costs about 1 EUR).
The city has a dedicated bike path that stretches as much as 8 km from Cascais to the Guincho promenade in Estoril - and you can ride along it on a two-wheeled friend at absolutely no cost: different places city (including near the railway station) bicycles are rented free of charge, you just need to show your passport. All locals travel mainly on these bicycles, so the free option is not always available and is not always in a satisfactory condition.
But in the Transrent company, a good bike can be rented for 10-12 EUR per day, scooters, motorcycles and cars are waiting for their temporary owners there. Car rental offices are also located near the bus station.
Prices on the page are for March 2019.
Cascais beaches
Most tourists choose Cascais for its gorgeous beaches. They stretch along the coast for several kilometers and are almost uninterrupted. Most popular and big beach Cascais is Guigno. Here are the most high waves in the area, so extreme lovers flock to Guinho - surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, etc. If you just want to swim and lie on the beach, you can choose popular smaller beaches - for example Torre or Riberia. All of them are perfectly equipped, have showers, toilets, changing cabins, a water rescue team, rental points and cafes on their territory.
Popular hotels in Cascais
Entertainment and attractions
The advantage of Cascais is that almost all the attractions of this part of the district are either directly in it or within walking distance from it, while from the same Estoril you need to go to them - at least by bike.
One of the most notable places in Cascais is the spectacular Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimaraes, a famous museum-library that is open to visitors. There you can see a collection of 25,000 books, among which there are many rarities. Most of the prehistoric finds from Grutas de Alapraia are also stored there - this is a group underground caves discovered only in the 19th century. Another natural wonder, the Grutus do Poço Velho grottoes, are located directly in the city center and date back to the Neolithic era. The local Maritime Museum attracts visitors with an exposition dedicated to fishing and the history of the city, in addition, there is a rich collection of ocean animals: shellfish, fish, mammals and birds. The founder of the museum is the Portuguese king Carlos I, who was only interested in the then emerging science of oceanology. An important part of the exposition is occupied by his personal collection.
On the ocean coast, just west of the city, there is a natural wonder that attracts crowds of tourists from year to year. Boca do Inferno, which is translated as "Mouth of Hell", fully justifies its name - this is a cave of eerie outlines, knocked out by water and wind in solid rock over the centuries. In a storm, waves beat from the cliff around the Mouth of Hell, raise a sea of splashes and a terrible noise, the dark hole of the cave gapes - in general, it is a mesmerizing sight. It is, of course, better to look at it from the side of the ocean.
The Boca do Inferno abyss can be reached by horse-drawn carriage by hiring it from the Jardim Visconde da Luz park.
Among other sights of the city, the Citadel is worth noting - it was built on a high cliff to protect the city from attacks from the sea and brilliantly coped with its task. Now it houses an elite five-star hotel. An important religious monument in Kaishaish is the Church of the Assumption. It is located in the city center, at the intersection of many small streets, and is remarkable not only for its architectural features but also a permanent exhibition of paintings by the Portuguese artist Joseph de Obidos.
V park Parque Palmela, located between Cascais and Estoril, often hosts open-air concerts. In general, being in Cascais, it would be a sin not to visit Estoril - there are also magnificent beaches, many discos and bars, as well as various casinos - but gamblers know about this without a tip.
A little north of Cascais is the city of Sintra, known to a wide range of readers for the enthusiastic descriptions of Lord Byron in his works. As in any coastal Portuguese city, Cascais has many restaurants of all levels. Most of the dishes on offer are fish and seafood, it is no coincidence that Portugal has the highest per capita fish consumption in all of Europe.
Cascais is often referred to as the Portuguese paradise on the Atlantic coast. And this is confirmed by the magnificent natural beaches of Cascais, after relaxing on which you can stroll along the picturesque streets of the ancient fishing village.
The best beaches in Cascais:
Praia da azarujinha- a picturesque beach, with its shape similar to a theater stage, which is surrounded by cliffs. The beach is hidden behind rocks, but on its territory there is everything you need for a comfortable stay - bars, restaurants, an ambulance station, lifeguards, umbrellas and sun loungers that are rented out, showers, toilets, as well as everything for people with limited access to the beach. abilities. In addition, you can enjoy sports fishing on the beach.
InnaPraia da bafureira- a small beach surrounded by a high cliff, a favorite vacation spot for surfers. The beach can be reached by going down a long and high staircase. The beach has everything for relaxation and surfing.
Praia da Conceição- the beach between the Albtroz and Charlet hotels, which is located in the area of the railway station. In turn, the presence of a transport hub makes the beach very popular among tourists and local residents... The beach is under the supervision of lifeguards and medical staff, there is everything you need to relax - toilets, changing cabins, showers, bars and cafes. In addition, on the beach you can go windsurfing, fishing, kayaking and yachting.
Praia da duquesa- a beach that is side by side with the aforementioned Praia da Conceição. The beach is great for diving (there is a diving school), the water is very clean and transparent, the visibility is good. On the beach you can rent a yacht or go windsurfing. All traditional service objects are present here.
PROJocelyn Erskine-Kellie Praia da grota- miniature sand beach Cascais, located between the rocks. Its length does not exceed 50 meters. Nudists rest on this beach.
Praia da parede- one of best beaches Cascais, where there are cafes and restaurants in an open area overlooking the sea. Here, with a glass of wine, you can watch the sunset and admire beautiful landscapes nature. There are lifeguards on the beach, a range of services for a comfortable rest of tourists is presented.
Praia da rainha- sandy beach, access to which is only by stairs. The beach is located near central region Cascais and train station. Praia da Rainha is one of the favorite beaches of the kings of Portugal.
Praia da poça is another sandy beach with good outdoor cafes and restaurants overlooking the Forte da Cavadeira and Velho fort. The beach is bordered by local attractions in Cascais, and there are also casinos and bars nearby. Traditionally, the beach has toilets, showers, changing rooms, bars, umbrellas and sun loungers.
Praia das avencas- sandy beach, which can only be reached on foot. A car park is located in the distance. There is a cafe with the same name on the beach. The beach is suitable for diving; in this area you can observe a huge number of marine animals.
Massimo valiani Praia das Moitas - sandy beach, but swimming in it is hampered by the presence of sharp stones and ledges in the water. Be careful not to injure your feet here. There is a first-aid post on the beach, lifeguards, sun loungers and umbrellas are rented, there are restaurants and cafes.
Praia de Cacavelos is one of the largest and most popular surfing and windsurfing beaches in Cascais. The waves on the beach reach excellent heights, which is why international competitions are held here. All traditional service objects are present here. Football and volleyball are also played on the beach.
Praia de santa marta- the sandy beach of Cascais, which used to be the private beach of the Count of Guimaraes. You can go to the beach through old palace(now a museum). The beach is used only for sightseeing, tourists do not rest here. There are several bars and nightclubs near the beach.
Praia de São Pedro do Estoril- a sandy beach surrounded by a huge cliff, which is used by skilled fishermen for sport fishing. The beach is also suitable for surfers, the waves are high here. In addition, it is easy to park a car here, there is a railway station nearby, there are two large cafes with beautiful terraces, a windsurfing school, changing rooms, showers, toilets, a camping park, and a medical aid station.
Praia do abano- sandy beach with noisy sea and strong winds. The beach has everything you need to relax, but there is no parking. Praia do Abano is suitable for surfing and fishing.
Praia do guincho is a popular surfing and windsurfing beach adjacent to Praia do Abano. It is located in the dune zone, strong blowing here North wind... But this beach is dangerous for those who do not swim well. Tourists here can take sunbathing and then relax in the luxury restaurants and bars near the 5-star Hotel Guncho.
Praia do tamariz- another sandy beach adjacent to railway station Cascais and the bus station, but there is no parking. There are several restaurants and nightclubs nearby, where discos and various events take place. There is a tunnel from the beach to the Estoril Casino gardens, there are many tourist shops and a free saltwater pool.
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Cascais located on the Atlantic coast, 25 km from the capital Portugal- Lisbon and very close to. It is part of the municipality of the same name and is part of the Greater Lisbon metropolitan area.
Peculiarities
Cascais is small but extremely beautiful city has a reputation for being noisy tourist center, where millions of tourists come every year, including hundreds of thousands of young people, to full program have fun in local nightclubs, and at the same time enjoy swimming in the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is invariable here, everyone finds something to do to their liking. Someone "saddles" the wave, someone makes exciting excursion routes, someone comprehends secrets local cuisine, and someone is attached to the joys of shopping.
general information
The territory of the resort town covers an area of 99 sq. km. The population is about 35,000 people. Local time is 2 hours behind Moscow time in summer and 3 hours in winter. Time zone UTC + 0, in summer UTC + 1. The official website of Cascais is www.cm-cascais.pt.
A brief excursion into history
In the XII century, on the site of the present popular resort with a developed infrastructure, there was a tiny fishing village, the purpose of which was reduced to the banal supply of fish to the capital of Lisbon. Along the way, the settlement played the role of an intermediate port for ships heading in the direction of the main city. In 1488, a fortress was erected here, which fell under the onslaught of Spanish troops 92 years later. A little later, during the time of Philip II of Spain, the fortress was rebuilt in the spirit of the Renaissance. At the beginning of the 19th century, the French invaded Portugal, and after the defeat of Napoleon, the city plunged into the abyss of timelessness, until it was attracted by the representatives of the Portuguese crown, who made Cascais their summer residence. This is how the first benefits of civilization appeared here, and in 1896, in the premises of the Qashqai fortress, King Carlos I opened the first oceanographic laboratory in Portugal. The city acquired the status of a resort in the second half of the last century.
Climate
The region is dominated by a temperate maritime climate. In winter, as almost everywhere in the country, the air temperature hardly drops below +10 degrees. In summer, the thermometer fluctuates between +26 and +30 degrees, although it often happens even higher. The high season is the period from June to September, when clear sunny weather reigns, and the water in the ocean does not drop below +20 degrees. In September-October, the resort's attendance remains high, but the water is already colder.
How to get there
Closest to Cascais international Airport is located in Lisbon and from there you can reach your destination by bus, train or car. There is a regular service and public means of transportation run between cities several times a day.
Transport
Traveling within the city limits, as well as to neighboring Estoril, is most convenient and economical by bike. It is this type of transport in this area that is most respected among the townspeople. At the same time, there are special free rental points. In order to take a bike, you just need to have your passport with you. For locals, of course, an internal passport, for tourists - a foreign one. The only nuisance is that there are always very few free bikes during the high season, and they tend to look pretty shabby. However, for 8 euros a day you can take a good bike in paid point rental. It is better to travel long distances by car or by bus, especially since there are no problems with either one or the other in the city.
Beaches
The magnificent beaches of the resort, along with its historical and cultural attractions, are the main asset of Cascais. Central beach Guigno is considered a real Mecca for surfing and other surfing disciplines. Fans of a more peaceful holiday prefer the beaches of Torre and Riberia, where you can calmly lie on the sand, leaving the sun's rays to solve the problem of a beautiful tan. All beaches are equipped to the highest standards and have all the necessary attributes, including changing cabins, showers, toilets, water transport and technical equipment rental for water sports, cafes and bars. Rescue teams monitor safety.
sights
Among the most interesting architectural objects of Cascais are the exquisite Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimaraes, the Igreja da Assuncao church, which managed to survive the terrible earthquake of 1755, and the unique museum-library, which contains a collection of 25,000 books related to different times... The Maritime Museum is also worth a visit, with an impressive number of rare marine species and plants. There are also many natural attractions in the resort. One of them, the Grutus do Poco Velho grottoes, is located in the central part of the city and belongs to the Neolithic era. At some distance from the city limits, right on the coast, the legendary "mouth of hell" flaunts, which is a mouth of a cave, formed over millions of years, against which ocean waves crash with a roar. In the vicinity of the city there are also interesting parks and rocky heights, from which fabulous views of the ocean expanses open.
Entertainment
A wide selection of nightclubs, bars and discos has long been an integral part of Cascais and its distinctive logo. Music and dance lovers have the opportunity to spend the night on the dance floors, and those who have little freedom can look into neighboring Estoril, where the choice of entertainment venues is no less.
Kitchen
In addition to beach pleasures on the ocean shore and night dances at discos, in Cascais it is worth paying special attention to the variety and flavor of the local cuisine, especially since it is presented here with multinational dishes and drinks that fully correspond to the colorful and vibrant atmosphere of the resort.
Shopping
Excellent conditions for good shopping, allow shopping lovers not to leave here with empty luggage. Valuable souvenirs, expensive jewelry, clothes, shoes and other goods are always presented in abundance in the local shops and shops.
Cascais fully complies with its status as a popular and promoted resort. It has a lot of advantages and invariably gives vivid impressions of being on its shores to millions of tourists who have chosen to rest in these picturesque places.
