10 reasons to visit Cascais

There are restaurants, bars, shops and traditional commerce, still very present at the village; there is the connection to the sea, the roots of a land which also belongs to the fishermen and the bay from where boats leave for high seas every day; and then there are the streets and alleys of the center, the fortress, museums and gardens. The sum of all this makes a very rich and beautiful historical center frenetic, by day or by night.

For decades, Cascais has been a golfing destination for players from around the world, honored with the “Best European Golf Destination” award in 2007 and 2016. There are several courses, all with different surroundings and designed by renowned architects, some facing the sea, others surrounded by mountains, sometimes surrounded by dunes and pine trees. Each with its genesis, but all complete and with all the necessary amenities for an excellent match.

Few destinations can boast of having an exclusive neighborhood of museums. Cascais prides itself - and rightly so. It currently has 16 museums, two urban parks and they can all be visited by foot. On the center there are old family houses transformed into museums, royal palaces, and buildings designed by Pritzker prize winnners and a cultural center with exhibitions. The difficulty is to choose where to start.

It is true that Cascais is a large region, that one needs to use a car, train or bicycle to go to some distant points and that its magic lays also in the quantity - and quality - of offers. But much of what is there to be explored can be done with both feet on the ground. Especially when it comes to the epicenter of the village, with some beaches and gardens, many restaurants and shops, museums and other attractions. The locals do it, there is no reason to be different.

The Portuguese are mostly a welcoming people. Outgoing with tourists, proud to show off their little seaside paradise. Adding to this the fact that the Cascais residents live in an idyllic village, surrounded by nature and full of activities for people of all ages, and one can discover people who really like to receive those who come from outside. Whether for a few days, for a season or for the rest of your life.

Like many other cities near capitals around the world, Cascais continues to be, as much urban development as it has, a point of contact with nature. This can be seen not only in the urban gardens, but also in the magnificent Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, on the beautiful road that connects Cascais Marina to Guincho, as well as on several other beaches. To breathe fresh air? It is in Cascais, no doubt.