Cascais, Lisboa, Portugal
Located in the heart of Historical Cascais Center, CASA DA ESQUINA 58 is close to all the typical restaurants and shops, and to some of the best beaches Cascais has to offer, it is walking distance to the train station that will take you to Lisbon.
Points of interest:
- Cascais train station (200m)
- Supermarket (100m)
- Restaurantes (several options less than 500m)
Cascais is a picturesque fishing town that is a delightful blend of grand 19th century architecture and traditional Portuguese heritage. Historically Cascais was an important fishing town, which during the 19th century found favour with the Portuguese nobility and aristocracy, who constructed lavish villas and houses amongst the traditional dwellings.
BOCA DO INFERNO
Boca do Inferno, which translates to "the mouth of (or the entrance to) hell," is a cave carved out by the violent waves of the Atlantic. It's found west of the marina in Cascais, and it's a popular tourist stop, as everyone wants to see and photograph the pounding waves and the beautiful sunsets.
The name refers to the often-scary noise of the ocean as it crashes on the rocks.
It was on this site that the British magician Aleister Crowley faked his own death in 1930, causing great controversy at the time.
FAROL MUSEU SANTA MARTA
This 19th-century lighthouse was restored and opened to the public in 2007, to tell the story of the importance of lighthouses in Portugal, a country whose coastline has always guided ships throughout time. The three separate areas that make up the museum are all white and contemporary, designed by the architects Aires Mateus.
It's also possible to visit Casa Santa Maria, an emblematic house built by prominent architect Raul Lino in 1902, with a rich collection of baroque tiles.
MUSEU CASTRO GUIMARÃES
This romantic palace facing the sea holds a collection of decorative art. It was built in the first years of the 20th century, and became the residence of the Count Castro de Guimarães. Many of the rooms are just as they were left by the last residents, with Indo-Portuguese furniture, paintings, ceramics, a chapel, and a large library with over 25,000 books. The most valuable item is an illuminated manuscript from 1505 illustrating Lisbon at the time.
There's also a number of archaeological finds, but the main reason for a visit it seeing how the aristocracy lived at the turn of the century.
MUSEU PAULA REGO
Although she achieved international acclaim in London, Paula Rego is a Portuguese artist born in Lisbon and raised in Cascais. Her childhood town was the site chosen for her museum, opened in 2009 in a building designed by renowned architect Eduardo Souto Moura. It's meant to be a place to tell Rego's stories of controversial social realities, many of them influenced by Portuguese culture.
Her work has been described as rather surrealist cartoon illustrations, and at this museum you can see dozens of drawings and paintings in a permanent exhibition spread over seven rooms, and temporary exhibitions in another room. The permanent collection also displays some works by her late husband Victor Willing. Everything is displayed chronologically, starting with the works of the first ten years of Rego's career, followed by those of the 80s, and finally from the 90s to present times.
Be sure to pass by the shop, which has a good selection of books.
There's also a cafeteria serving light meals.
PRAIA DA CONCEIÇÃO
This beautiful sandy beach usually has calm, clear waters. It's right next to one of Cascais' best hotels (the Albatroz Hotel) and to the small but also popular Praia da Duquesa, a beach between two large mansions, Chalet Faial and Chalet Palmela (built in 1868 as the summer residence of the Duke of Palmela).
Walking down the beachfront promenade, past several beach bars and restaurants, you eventually reach Estoril and its casino in less than 20 minutes.
PRAIA DA RAINHA
It's hidden between rocks and cliffs, but this small and beautiful beach is the most central in Cascais. It's right by the main pedestrian streets, next to the Albatroz Hotel and just a short walk from the train station.
The name ("Queen's Beach") is due to Queen Amelia, who used to swim in its calm and clear waters.
The small square Largo da Praia da Rainha overlooks the beach, and is essentially a terrace offering outdoor eating and drinking with a view of the sea.
PRAIA DA RIBEIRA DE CASCAIS
Located on the bay of Cascais, by the main public square Largo 5 de Outubro and Hotel Baía in the center of town, this small beach is also known as Praia dos Pescadores ("Fishermen's Beach"). It's one of the most photographed beaches in the region, due to the constant flow of fishing boats and to the landmark Seixas Palace, built in 1920 and now property of the Portuguese Navy.
PRAIA DO GUINCHO
Surrounded by dunes, this beach located between Cascais and Sintra, in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, is known for being windy and for its powerful waves. It's part of international surfing and windsurfing circuits, having already hosted world championships.
The large sandy area, the natural landscape, and the water quality make it one of the best and most beautiful beaches on the Lisbon coast, and even in the country. Maybe that explains why it was once a setting of a James Bond movie, "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service".
By the beach are several quality restaurants, mostly specializing in fish and seafood.
