Cascais – the capital of the Portuguese Riviera, coast town 30 km west of Lisbon , is the most desirable holiday destination in Lisbon area.
For centuries it was a small and traditional Portuguese fishing village with a strong military presence, which in the first decades of the twentieth century became a tourist resort, cherished by the Portuguese and foreign elite, competing with the French Cote d’Azur. During World War II, Cascais was the scene of intense activity in the espionage services of the Axis and Allied countries.
Historically Cascais was a summer retreat for the Portuguese nobility, today the town is an elegant fusion of its illustrious heritage and contemporary design, even to the expectation of the modern tourist. It is no coincidence that one of the best golf courses in the world was build here in 2001 by Arthur Mills, one of the most renowned golf course architects.
An imposing fortress, fascinating museums, luxurious villages, calm and narrow streets in historic centre, Casino Estoril (the biggest in Europe), beautiful beaches on the Portuguese Riviera, Boca de Inferno cave, Guincho Beach, wild and untamed coastline of the Serra de Sintra, with its vast beaches, surfing and fantastic natural landscapes, great Cabo da Roca – the most western point of the European continent, best fish and seafood restaurants – Cascais has so many tourist and historical attractions, that can be considered one of the best day trips from Lisbon, or even more distant locations.