Cascais Sights

  1. Boca do Inferno

    The sea seeps into an abyss in the coast at Boca do Inferno. There are taxis, or you can walk along the coast (about 20 minutes). Expect a mouthful of small splashes unless a storm is raging. Taxis cost about €6 return.

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  2. Centro Cultural de Cascais

    Near the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, the colourful, spacious Centro Cultural de Cascais, in what was a barefooted Carmelite convent, hosts contemporary exhibitions and cultural events. It has a great café too.

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  3. Citadel

    The Citadel is where the royal family used to spend the summer, with a beautiful chapel. It's occupied by the military so is out of bounds, but plans are afoot to open it as a museum.

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  4. Fish Market

    The Fish Market is a remnant of Cascais the fishing village, between Praia da Ribeira and Praia da Rainha; an auctioneer sells the day's catch in rapid-fire lingo at about Monday to Saturday. Behind the market is a string of upmarket fish restaurants.

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  5. Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção

    The back lanes and alleys to the west of the câmara municipal (town hall) are worth exploring. In a shady square southwest of the câmara municipal is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, decorated with azulejos predating the 1755 earthquake.

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  7. Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães

    The Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães is on the grounds of the Parque Municipal da Gandarinha. The whimsical late-19th-century mansion of Jorge O'Neill was designed by a painter, apparently inspired by Luigi Manini's opera-set designs, and is a dreamlike mix of styles, with castle turrets and an Arabic cloister. O'Neill was Irish, hence the clover leaves inside. But they didn't bring him luck, as he had to sell up later because of bankruptcy.

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  8. Museu do Mar

    The small, admirable Museu do Mar, in Jardim da Parada, portrays Cascais' maritime history. Lifestyles of the fishermen and their wives are of particular interest, with detailed descriptions of life on and off the sea. Clothing (including wedding and burial dress), tools, nets, boats and the like are on display, accompanied by quotes (in English) from the fisherfolk.

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  9. Parque Municipal da Gandarinha

    Shady and beautiful with the feel of wilderness, Parque Municipal da Gandarinha is a great place to explore. It's dotted with birch and pine trees, palms and eucalyptus, rose gardens and flowering shrubs, and there are peacocks, aviaries, duck ponds and a playground scattered among the flora. The grounds also contain the delightful Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães.

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  10. Praia da Ribeira

    The largest beach in Cascais and closest to the Town Centre. They do get busy and the water quality is not great.

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  11. Praia do Guincho

    The long, wild Praia do Guincho is a surfer's and windsurfer's paradise (the site of previous World Surfing Championships) with massive crashing rollers. The strong undertow can be dangerous for swimmers and novice surfers.

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