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 Cascais Accommodation
Cascais Guest & Manor Houses
Cascais Holiday Apartments
Cascais Holiday Rental Agents
Cascais Holiday Resorts
Cascais Hotels
Cascais Hotels & Spa
Cascais Inns
Cascais Entertainment
Cascais - Night Life
Cascais - Restaurants
Cascais - What to do
Cascais Golf Courses
Cascais Golf
Belas Clube Campo Golf Course
Lisbon Sports Club Golf Course
Oitavos Dunes Golf Course
Quinta da Marinha Golf Course
Estoril Golf Course
Penha Longa Atlantico
Penha Longa Mosteiro
Cascais Property
Estate Agents
Cascais Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
Cascais Wines
Bucelas, Carcavelos & Colares
Cascais - History
This town was a small fishing port throughout early history as it lies
protected from nature’s elements at the mouth of the Rio Tejo. It was
occupied by the Spanish under the Duke of Alba in 1579. In 1807, the
French invaders commanded by General Junot used the Palácio da
Citadela as their suitable headquarters for his army. During the first
part of the 19th Century the port trade declined bringing poverty to the
town. When in 1870 the King, Luís I, chose to convert the 17th
Century building of the Citadela into his summer residence Cascais
soon became a very fashionable town and aristocratic palaces and mansions
followed. In 1926 the railway line from Lisbon to Cascais was
the first to be electrified in Portugal and this also had a positive
economic effect. During the 2nd World War several Kings and Heads of
European countries sought refuge in Cascais and nearby Estoril. With
these people came other aristocrats, politicians, actors and writers - so
many that the population increased by over 20,000 people between 1939 to
1946. Names of important exiles such as Duke of Windsor, King Umberto of
Italy, Princess Joana of Italy, King Carol II of Romania, Prince Juan of
Spain, Count Henri of France, part of the Hapsburg family,
Regent Horthy of Hungary, all can be associated with the history of
both this town and that of neighbouring Estoril. (Visit - Portugal History)
Cascais - Description
Today it is the dormitory of the Lisbon international working
community and the "younger set" who enjoy the diverse and sophisticated the
nightlife.
One of the most outstanding palaces is the Palácio de Conde de Castro
Guimarães that is open to the public and exhibits its own grand private
collection that includes over 25.000 books and such rarities as an
illustrated book by Duarte Galvão(1455-1517). Also, most of the
pre-historic finds from the Grutas de Alapraia are stored here. These
were a series of underground caves only discovered in the late 19th Century.
The Grutus do Poço Velho are located in the centre of the town and
date back to the Neolithic period. On a much more modest scale is the
Museu do Mar that depicts the story of Cascais and its fishing
history. Just outside the town is the famous Boca do Inferno in
which the sea on rougher days hammers into the rock and creates a booming
noise and a spectacular spray thus creating its name which in English means
"mouth of hell". Today, Cascais now boasts a smart new Marina with
lovely yachts adding a further attraction to the town. The Praça de
Touros built 1873 and is an imposing area in which regular bullfights
can be seen. The Parque Palmela is an attractive park created by the
Duques de Palmela and now maintained by the Town Hall and in which
open-air concerts are often held.
Cascais Nearby Locations
Within easy reach of Cascais is the famous beach at Guincho
with its high waves that attract windsurfers from all around the world as
having some of the best rollers in Europe. The next town to the east of
Cascais is the resort town of Estoril with its popular Casino.
To the north and within easy reach is the romantic and fascinating town of
Sintra and which was made famous too foreigners after a glowing
account of its splendours recorded by Lord Byron
Cascais Weather (detailed)
Detailed Cascais weather conditions
Detailed Guincho weather conditions
Cascais Photos
Cascais Main Square
· Cascais Beach
· Cascais Lighthouse
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Cascais Events |
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| Fiesta de Santo António |
13th June |
| Town Holiday |
13th June |
| Festas de Mar |
26th July to 11th August |
| Procissão de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes |
15th August
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Lisbon Coast Towns
Estoril
· Lisbon
· Mafra
· Queluz
· Sesimbra
· Setúbal
· Sintra
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Useful Cascais Telephone Numbers
2750
