On the wings of the wind - Cascais

When we get to know Cascais better, we will easily discover what it has captivated by the Portuguese royal family. The resort is located right next to the Atlantic Ocean, near Lisbon - on one side it is tucked into the bay, and on the other side it is surrounded by the hills of the Sintra Mountains.

Even at the end of the 19th century, Cascais was a typical fishing village, where life flowed lazily, focused on everyday fishing. Today it enjoys the reputation of an elegant holiday resort. Some people even describe it as snobbish, which can be explained by the large number of boutiques of famous designers located on the main promenade. And prices.

Royal Resort - Cascais

Tourists who like to visit new places without haste, appreciate the beauty of its streets and the buzz of the fish market, while party-goers immerse themselves in the richness of night entertainment. After dark, they have fun in discos and bars on Largo Luis de Camoes - that's where the best clubs are located.

However, let's not forget about, if not the most important, and certainly a very important factor influencing the tourists' interest in the resort - the beaches. People counting down the time to unfold the sunbed have as many as five places to choose from, and all of them are located in close proximity to the center of Cascais . The water is warm and calm, and the sand is temptingly loose and has a beautiful golden color.

Beach for surfers

One of the beaches tempts with something other than the possibility of blissfully lounging and catching a tan. Just 5 km from Cascais is Praia do Guinchi , a wide and sandy beach crowded with surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers. Since the 90s of the last century, they have often hosted the World Windsurfing Championships, offering excellent conditions - big waves and strong gusts of wind. Stretched among the dunes, it seems a bit wild. Due to the frequent strong winds from the north, it must be remembered that Guinchi is not as hot as, for example, in Lisbon.

With a favorable aura from the beach, you can see the westernmost point of Europe - Cabo da Roca . Vacationers can also see the Pena Palace in Sintra.

In the evening you can go for a romantic walk along the promenade that stretches for 2 km, from the resort to Estoril. A leisurely hike along the coast will relax everyone, especially when it sets your face to the blasts of the ocean and allows them to gently wrap your skin. If someone goes the other way, to the west, after approx. 1.5 km, he will encounter a chasm near the cliffs, a place from hell. The bang, rumble and furious roar of the waves and plumes of foam splashing on the sharp edges give the impression that we are looking at the mouth of a mythical monster. It fully lives up to its name - Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth).

Camping near Cascais

Numerous restaurants are located on the Estrada de Guincho, the road leading to the beach. Near the promenade there is also Camping Orbitur de Guincho , offering accommodation among dunes and pine trees. An adult's stay costs from 3.90 to 6.90 EUR / day, while for a parking space for a motorhome we will pay from 5.30 to 9.40 EUR / day. You can come here with your dog (1.40-2.50 euro).

Tired of sightseeing, we can take a seat in the beautiful Parque do Marechal Carmona (Gandarinha Park), located in the historic center of the city, near the yacht marina. In the immediate vicinity there are many attractive points of Cascais, including the Manuel Possolo Hipódromo, the Museum Condes Castro Guimarães and the red House of Stories by Paula Rego. The park has magnificent trees of impressive size, numerous ornamental shrubs and water reservoirs with lovely wooden footbridges. It is the perfect place to spend a nice afternoon or evening.