Baia de Cascais

Baia de Cascais, Cascais - Cascais visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Baia de Cascais, Cascais' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Distrito Lisboa.

Cascais is a famous resort town on the eastern end of the Estoril Coast in Portugal, some 30km from Lisbon. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, this former fishing village was favoured as a holiday destination by the Portuguese royal family in the late 1800s and early 1900s. As a result, Cascais, and the surrounding region, have become popular holiday destinations for the rich and famous.

The history of Cascais starts in the 12th century, and the town slowly outgrew the castle and expanded on fishing trade. Like much of the surrounding area, Cascais was badly damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and was occupied by the French during the Napoleonic war. From 1870 King Luís II turned the citadel into a summer home and thus began a 40 year period of regular, royal summer holidays in the town.

After WWII, tourism along the whole Estoril Coast expanded greatly, and the region now boast a number of top class, luxury hotels, casinos, golf courses and marinas. As well as becoming a playground for the rich and famous, the Estoril Coast also has hotels and apartments catering for more conservative budgets, and is a favourite among both the local Portuguese and travellers from further afield. This panorama shows a view over the Bay of Cascais.

Cascais Tourist AttractionsAside from the beautiful beaches, Cascais has several sights and attractions on offer:Citadel - 17th century citadel overlooking the bay, used as the summer residence for the President of Portugal and closed to the public.Cascais Beaches - Praia da Ribeira northeast of the citadel. A promenade runs all the way along the beach to Praia do Tamariz in EstorilBoca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell) - a 15-20m coastal cliff containing numerous caves and dramatic views over the sea.Maritime Museum (Museu do Mar) - museum covering the maritime past of Cascais, found near to Parque do Marechal CarmonaNossa Senhora da Assunçao - main town church north of the citadel decorated with 18th century azulejos tiles.Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes - Baroque style church also decorated with azulejos tiles inside.Golf Courses - there are numerous golf courses around Cascais, including Golf Academy Estoril Sol, Belas, Belavista, Estoril Golfe Clube-Blue, Oitavos Golfe, Penha Longa Atlântico, Penha Longa Mosteiro, Quinta da Beloura and Quinta da MarinhaBoating - yacht and boat charter, curises, deep sea fishing, sailing and other water sports arranged either through the hotels or marinas.

Posto de Turismo de Cascais
Rua Visconde da Luz, 14 / 14-A
2750 Cascais
Phone: 21 486 82 04

Flight: Lisbon International Airport (LIS).
Road: Cascais is about 30km from Lisbon on the E6.
Train: Cascais station, Monte Estoril Station.