Location: Cascais
Top Things to do in Cascais
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Cascais That You Shouldn't Miss
A coastal town just 20 miles west of Lisbon, Cascais was once a small fishing village, but its idyllic scenery attracted the attention of artists, writers and expelled European nobility in the 20th century. Today, it still attracts high society, but all society comes in force to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and adventure options like sailing and surfing. The Conde de Castro Guimarães Museum, a former palace, is now open to the public and displays an impressive collection of art and artifacts.
Restaurants in Cascais
1. Farol do Cabo Raso
2. Palacio Seixas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By lennietravels
This palace has all the feel of a fairytale castle, set on the edge of a beautiful garden - which you can walk around escorted by families of ducks, chickens and cockerels! although you can't go inside, the outside is worthy of photographs especially from the sea-side where the sea flows in under the bridge at high tide creating a moat around the base of the castle. When the tide is out you can walk up to the base of the castle via a set of steps down from the road. Spend some time in the garden - take a picnic - there are a wide variety of flowers and plants, gum trees and pink peppercorn trees, as well as a children's play area - a great place for exploration and relaxing. There is also a cafe on site in the park area.
3. 5th of October Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is a wonderfully striking plaza in the centre of Cascais. The best part is the distinctive black and white wavy paving that makes you feel almost dizzy. The plaza is only a 5 min walk from the train station and you’ll find Information Centre here too, making it a is a very good starting point for exploring Cascais on foot. Ribeira Beach is directly opposite the plaza and the citadel is just up the hill above the beach. Most other tourist attractions can be reached within a minute or two from here. The plaza itself has a number of points of interest: * the pastel yellow Our Lady of Navigators Church * O’Neills Irish pub. * the large, bronze statue of King Pedro I, who was known as both Pedro the Just and Pedro the Cruel. Perhaps he was just one of those guys you either loved or hated? * the town hall, a former palace with colourful tiled panels of different saints * free museum inside the town hall that tells the story of Cascais, from fishing village to royal seaside resort to modern times. . If you have extra time, this is worth a visit. * the name of the square commemorates the date in 1910 when the monarchy was abolished and the First Republic of Portugal was established.
4. Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao dos Inocentes
5. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericordia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
6. Citadel Of Cascais
7. Forte De Sao Jorge De Oitavos
8. Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora da Luz
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By 82manuelal - Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Nice for walking and visit the fortress, nice terrace to take pictures; historic fortress built on a rocky coastal and is from the 17th century; to stroll by good weather.
9. Forte de Santo Antonio da Barra
10. Estatua de D.Pedro I
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This large bronze statue of Pedro I, king of Portugal from 1357 - 1367, stands in the central plaza, Praca 5 de Outubro. It’s worth going out of your way to stop by, mainly because the square itself is so lovely. It has the distinctive black and white wavy paving and is right opposite Ribeiro Beach. King Pedro was known as both 'Pedro the Just' & 'Pedro the Cruel'. Was he some sort of Jekyll & Hyde? Or perhaps you just loved or hated the guy? The clenched fist doesn't help and makes it look like there’s some sort of anger issue there. Historically, Pedro has a special significant to Cascais because he was responsible for granting their charter as a town in 1365. Before this Cascais was only a village and in 1364, they petitioned Pedro to grant them status as a town. This was a big deal and meant they would be largely able to govern themselves. Pedro agreed and in exchange, every year, they paid the King 200 pounds of gold. However, Pedro I is best known for his long and torrid love affair with his wife’s lady-in-waiting, Ines de Castro. After Pedro’s wife died, his father feared the political ramifications if his son took up with Ines and took the extreme measure of having Ines murdered. Pedro, hell-bent on revenge, led an uprising against his father. When he became king himself, he had the murderers executed. Not satisfied with a run-of-the mill execution, he had their hearts ripped out while they were still alive. Later he claimed he had secretly married Ines and had his dead wife recognised as Queen of Portugal. It's a good story to know when you stand in front of the statue. The statue was created by the sculptor Antonio Duarte and has stood here since 1965.
