TOURISTIC GUIDE INDEX COME FOR ONE REASON. 6 A BIT OF HISTORY STAY FOR MANY. 8 OUR BEACHES 12 MONUMENTS, PALACES AND MUSEUMS Some people come for the bright sunny days, 30 CHURCHES to fix their gaze on the distant horizon, to admire the 32 NATURE magnificent, unmatched coastline and to appreciate 40 TRACKS AND FOOTPATHS the nature park and warmth of the local people. 46 OTHER PARKS IN THE AREA Others come for the peace and quiet, for the 50 SPORTS AND LEISURE enticing seaside esplanades and superb golf 52 GOLF courses surrounded by unspoilt nature, to savour 56 GASTRONOMY the delicious tastes of the ocean and for the thrill 58 ENTERTAINMENT of the wind and the waves, the surfing and sailing. 62 SHOPPING 64 BRIEF VISIT TO LISBON There are also those who come for the fascinating 70 PRATICAL INFORMATION stories of kings and spies and for all the glamour, culture and entertainment to be found. Many come for business meetings, for quick and easy access to Lisbon and its international airport and for the great diversity of places and geographical features on offer. Others come for the inviting footpaths and sand- dunes, for the exhilarating horse-riding excursions and boat trips around the bay and for the sheer pleasure of being on Sintra’s doorstep. Some come for the unforgettable welcome, for the genuine friendliness of the local people and for that uniquely satisfying feeling of total comfort and well- being. There are many reasons to come to Cascais. But there are lots more to stay for. Touristic Guide . 3 Cascais is located on the west coast of Portugal, right on the edge of mainland Europe and just 20 km from Lisbon and its Sintra 10 km international airport. About a two-hour flight N Mafra 35 km from most of Europe’s principal cities, it’s a surprising and welcoming place with lots of glamour, serenity and natural surroundings. Sintra-Cascais Natural Park Cabo da Roca Lisbon Guincho International Cascais Airport International Aerodrome LISBON Estoril CASCAIS Tagus River Carcavelos Atlantic Ocean 4 . Cascais Touristic Guide . 5 COME STAY TO FOR THE HISTORY DISCOVER A UNIQUE DESTINATION Talking about the history of Cascais means going right back In more recent times, the region became a pioneer of Portuguese to ancient times when dinosaurs roamed its dense forests. tourism when in 1870 the royal family chose Cascais, more specifically the Cidadela, as its summer residence due to the Later, the strategic importance of this region, the most westerly excellent location, natural surroundings, temperate climate of mainland Europe, attracted the Phoenicians followed by the and high quality of the local sea and spa waters. Romans and then the Moors. Due to the events of world history, and on account of Portugal’s The latter’s influence is still very much in evidence through rare status as a neutral country, the Cascais area was a place of the architecture, place names and general culture. immense strategic importance during the Second World War and Due to its proximity to the capital, Cascais is closely linked to much became a major hub of international diplomacy and espionage as of Portugal’s political and military history having been a popular one of Europe’s safe havens during this time of crisis. place of rest and relaxation for the royal family. Cascais hosted many European celebrities, royal families and The Cascais coast was the first place to be seen by ships renowned artists who fled the war in search of a safe place to reside. approaching the Tagus Estuary and was the last image seafarers The warmth and friendliness of the Portuguese people persuaded took with them when they headed for the far-flung corners of the many of these illustrious visitors to remain in the region permanently, Portuguese Empire. Its population witnessed the departure of the including Josef von Habsberg of the Austrian royal family who earliest explorers and saw them return with treasures from Africa, declared: “We feel at home here”. spices from India and gold from Brazil. It was this kind of ambience that inspired the English secret agent, Numerous forts remind us of incessant pirate attacks and Ian Fleming, to highlight Estoril in his first novel whilst creating the continuous attempts to occupy the area by Spanish, French and world’s most famous spy, James Bond 007. English armed forces throughout Portugal’s long and chequered history. Today, with over 650 years of history, the region has retained its cosmopolitan and sophisticated feel to become affectionately known as the Portuguese Riviera. 6 . Cascais Touristic Guide . 7 Beaches are one of the great attractions of the Cascais region. Clean, crystalline waters with excellent facilities and a superb infrastructure are just some of the attributes that will make your visit an unforgettable pleasure. Due to their high quality, the majority have been awarded the European Union’s coveted Blue Flag. And besides picking up the ECO XXI Green Flag award, Cascais has also been distinguished as a Quality Coast, both accolades that endorse the most sustainable coastal areas in Europe. The region is also part of the Beach for All programme in which inflatable wheelchairs are made available for people with handicaps or reduced mobility during the bathing season. At this time of the year, visitors will often see groups of easily-identified local volunteers helping out with a range of tasks such as beach-cleaning, healthcare and tourist information to ensure that your experience is a safe and enjoyable one. Geographically, the region’s beaches are divided into two distinct categories. In the more urban areas where pedestrians have better access, idyllic beaches are set in delightful little coves surrounded by elegant houses and palaces in the style of the Riviera. Lined with bars and esplanades, the seaside promenades have lots of things going on and a cosmopolitan air about them. The region has many other beautiful beaches, some a bit further away but still easily accessible, especially those protected by cliffs in the middle of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park where the water is less calm but very rich in iodine. Owing to their favourable natural conditions and facilities, most of the beaches on the Cascais coast are a must for people who enjoy surfing, body-boarding, kite-surfing, OUR windsurfing and stand-up paddle-boarding. BEACHES Touristic Guide . 9 Sintra-Cascais Natural Park OUR BEACHES Cabo da Roca Estoril Atlantic Race Track Ocean 1 2 Cascais International 3 Aerodrome Cabo Raso Quinta da Marinha Oitavos 6 Estoril 5 4 7 8 Cascais Parede 9 10 Carcavelos 11 12 1. Praia do Abano 2. Praia do Guincho 3. Praia da Cresmina 4. Praia da Rainha Tagus River 5. Praia da Duquesa/Conceição 6. Praia das Moitas 7. Praia do Tamariz 8. Praia da Azarujinha Atlantic Ocean 9. Praia de São Pedro 10. Praia das Avencas 11. Praia da Parede 12. Praia de Carcavelos Touristic Guide . 11 All the local cultural offerings are concentrated in the Cascais Museum Quarter, from the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães to the Espaço Memória dos Exílios. In all, there are 14 cultural facilities and 2 city parks, all within a short distance of each other, forming a quarter that positively breathes culture. FORTE S. JORGE DE OITAVOS Set high on the cliffs overlooking the ocean in the typically commanding fashion of a military building, this fort was constructed to protect the local population from enemies approaching by sea or those looking for a possible landing site at low tide. Now a museum, visitors get a good understanding of the building’s history through articles, photographs and exhibits (some recently added) relating to its construction and military role within the context of the many other forts built to protect the Tagus Estuary. Open: 10am-5pm Tuesday to Friday (10am-1pm and 2-5pm at weekends) Closed: Mondays and public holidays Tel. (00 351) 21 481 59 49 http://www.cm-cascais.pt/equipamento/forte-de-sao-jorge-de- oitavos GPS coordinates: N 38º 41’ 58.60’’ / 9º 28’ 05.41’’ W FAROL-MUSEU DE SANTA MARTA Originally part of the Santa Marta Fort complex and now a museum, exhibits portray the building’s history and technological advancements over the years, as well as the daily life and routine of the former lighthouse keepers. The museum’s shop has a range of publications, documents and other objects on themes relating to lighthouses, marine life, architecture and Cascais in general. Open: 10am-5pm Tuesday to Friday (10am-1pm and 2-5pm at weekends) Closed: Mondays and public holidays Tel. (00 351) 21 481 59 49 http://www.cm-cascais.pt/equipamento/forte-de-sao-jorge- MONUMENTS, PALACES de-oitavos AND MUSEUMS GPS coordinates: N 38º 41’ 58.60’’ / 9º 28’ 05.41’’ W Touristic Guide . 13 MONUMENTS, PAREDE CARCAVELOS PALACES AND LISBON MUSEUMS Casino Estoril Monte Estoril Estoril Cascais GUINCHO 9 CABO DA ROCA CAMPING 6 Atlantic Ocean 5 4 3 1. Forte de São Jorge de Oitavos 2. Farol Museu de Santa Marta 3. Casa de Santa Maria 4. Museu Biblioteca dos Condes de Castro Guimarães 5. Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos 6. Casa das Histórias Paula Rego Zoomed area 7. Centro Cultural de Cascais 8. Cidadela de Cascais 9. Museu da Vila 10. Museu da Música Portuguesa Casa Verdades de Faria 11. Espaço Memória dos Exílios 14 . Cascais Touristic Guide . 15 CASA DE SANTA MARIA MUSEU BIBLIOTECA This house was built in 1902 by Jorge O’Neill, a direct descendant CONDES DE CASTRO GUIMARÃES of the Irish royal family, who in the late 19th century followed Set in a small cove so close to the sea that the water actually the example of the Portuguese Court and chose Cascais as his laps the building at high tide, the location of this fine example of summer retreat.