Cascais

Of Fish And Men

Cascais was once a charming, quiet fishing village, minding its own business, until the 19th century when it caught the eye of Portugal’s royalty. They declared it their favourite summertime retreat, and of course the rest of the nobility followed suit, from Portugal and further afield too. The two extremes of society co-existing in the village gave rise to its nickname, “The Town of Kings and Fishes.”

The Golden Compass

It’s not hard to see why Lisbon’s rich and beautiful were drawn here. Cascais enjoys almost year-round sun, with a delicious salty sea breeze and the ice-cold water of the Atlantic always there to refresh you. Kilometres of golden coastline wend their way from Lisbon, out of the Tagus estuary and up towards Cascais and its neighbouring town Sintoril. The beaches offer much variety, from tranquil inlets with glassy turquoise waters to craggy cliffs that feel the unremitting pulse of the Atlantic waves.

Big waves and strong winds make this area perfect for surfing, windsurfing and sailing. The world championships of these sports are often held on the beaches nearby. Beyond water sports, cycling is a must-do. Rent some bikes and head for the westernmost part of continental Europe, or to the picturesque Sintra, while cutting through the incredible nature reserves next to the city of Lisbon.

Nocturnals

There’s much more to Cascais than simply beaches. Its winding streets will channel you between small museums, manicured gardens and a new marina, and the pedestrianised old town is full of designer boutiques and al fresco fish restaurants. When the sun sinks, bubbling conversation fills the night as people turn to bars for cocktails under the stars, or to clubs to stretch their dancing legs.