Cascais an amazing city to visit
Lisbon is a huge city where people can enjoy many historical monuments such as praca do comercio, elevador Santa justa but also discover a more modern part of the city characterised by the new buildings, the new malls like in Parque dos Nacoes where people can find the teleferic and the mall of Vasco da Gama.
Around the praca do comercio exist a whole walking way to the bridge of 25 de Abril, poeple can really enjoy amazing walks at nights especially to this place where the wild nature mix together with modernity and make spirits be more with energy, enthusiasm and joy to discover the totally othe part of the city Lisbon very far from the usual neiberhoods of alfama and barro alto.
Arriving to the end of the street in front of the Tragus river, that gives an embelamatic landscape to the city with the graffiti all around and the beautiful street art, poeple can discover the exitance of a station called cais do sodre.
From cais do sodre, we can go to visit the splendid city called cascais with only 3.5 euros and one hour approximatively of discovering the city by train, the station is also one of the oldest ever and it's train as well is very old. I took this amazing train and I discovered a totally different part of the city,the station alkantara Mar shows a huge bridge that can be very well seen from the train, it's superbe architect make people dream about this amazing and wonderful place. Then inside of the same train comes the station of Belem that I already visited before to discover it's monuments, castles and parcs during a good trip, the terminus of the trip was cascais, an amazing coastal city showing the authenticity of Portugal and it's amazing undiscovered area to th public.
Once arriving cascais, it was time for us to go for the big adventure and discover this place full of magic, joy and happiness for me. We had the chance to have a sunny amazing day to visit the city from inside and the beach as well. The beach was amazingly beautiful with people swimming, boats doing big trips and very festive atmosphere with the fado music on we experienced the most diversified food.
Lush natural greenery and sandy beaches welcome poeple who like adventure and calm state in Cascais. With its Seaside town, Cascais has all kinds of entertainment to offer to poeple visiting it thats why poeple are advised to not miss to visit what it offers the best. In Cascais wa can find many palaces and villas, many residences of celebrities who choose this city to spend their holidays as its very luxirious and modeste in the same time, this attracts may be that category of poeple that would like to be hidden and to be in peace with themselves very far from the light of cameras. This hidden place is the most perfect passage for famous poeple and in harmony with the environment that keeps the atmosphere one of the past of the world. Besides this, poeple can find some of the sites to visit in Cascais like the Citadel and the Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimaraes. Two places to visit in Cascais that of course we can not miss, that are very beautiful and very important for the inhabitants of the city.
1- The Boca do Inferno
Water sports lovers will find their happiness on the wild beaches of cascais, among other things to do in Cascais that are available for only a few professionals. Its beaches are ideal for surfing and sailing. Walk from town to Boca do Inferno, thats is the most magical and attractive landscape ever, it's a scenic landscape of almost 1.5 km hiking characterised by hidden places under the rocks where poeple can relax, swim, and do many activities. Once at the edge of the cliffs, breathe in the salty spray of the ocean and admire the spectacular panoramic view. The Ribeira Beach is also so amazing to discover since it is not too far from the city center and ideal for families to relax especially in the sunny days. There are many shops and restaurants nearby and fine golden sand that we can enjoy happily under our feet. poeple would surely like a lot refreshing in the cold water after sunbathing.
Nature lovers will appreciate the day trip to Sintra characterised by the huge castle with different amazing colours in every wall representing a history and a story, it was of course modified and renovated over the years to show the authenticity of this city and write a new page in the history. Stroll through the shady paths and explore every corner of the local caves. After the ride, have a drink watching the sunset on the beach.
2-Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca is a cape made up of immense cliffs and a very moving sea and which is also the most westerly point of the European continental . The bus line 403 connects Cascais to Cabo da Roca: the bus leaves from the bus station at the Cascais Villa shopping center which is great for poeple wanting to visit this new part of the city. Cabo da Roca is a romantic place to watch the sun go down in couples, but poeple need also a car to watch it because the buses are not working at this time.
Praia da Rainha is also one of the prettiest beaches on the Lisbon coast that must be discovered as it gives much joy and amusement to poeple. Although it is small, it is one of the most spectacular places to spend a day relaxing on the beach with the family by the multiple leisure activities offered in the coastal part. This small beach was the private beach of Queen Amelie previously, which earned her the name of Praia da Rainha (which means Queen's Beach). Poeple can also enjoy tours in the city by bike ride to Guincho for example that is one of the best things to do in Cascais. Also cycling to Grande do Guincho beach can be the best in sun rise while the first lights of sun appear to make this world be more beautiful.This route of about 10 km allows also to take a bike path along the cliffs of the coast. It is a very spectacular route through Casa da Guia, an excellent place to rest for a little refreshment. It is possible to rent bicycles for 10 € per day or to take one of the free tours as poeple just need to show their identification the enjoy this leisure activities with their friends to make it even more fun.
3- Fortaleza da Cidadela and Port
The Fortaleza da Cidadela Port is the most beautiful port i saw in Portugal as it ressembles a postcard. Actually the marina complex is made up of several upscale bars and hotels frequented by the very rich poeple and popular personnalities who moor their boats here and the very beautiful calm sea offering so much magical charm to this amazing place. The marina is overlooked by the imposing Cascais Fortress that says much on the history of the city and the patrimoine of such a wonderful coastal part (Fortaleza da Citadela). This fortress dating back to the previous centuries has been converted into a luxury hotel where are hosted the most popular football players, actors and even political persons that want to enjoy some days of peace and calm in such a paradise.
Another part of the city is also wonderful which is the park that is made up of several pretty gardens decorated with flowers of multiple coloured that were once part of the estate of Condes de Castro Guimarães and we found in general gardens in Portugal always near castles or chapels where they decorate the landscape in a perfect way. These peaceful gardens include also the opportunity to admire the cute ducks in family and with so diversified species, beautiful flowers and play with the animals of the small zoo of the area. The cute children have their own paradise inside such calm spring places that show the most peaceful part of the city. Peacocks are the most funny animals since they walk quietly among Portuguese families who picnic often in this very quiet place and they are always free without a cage so it is very amusing to picture them or to wait until they are more used to human contact.
The Chapel of Sao Sebastião is also one of the most wonderful and amazingly conserved of all the old constructions, with a special architecture and unique presence in all the modernity of the city and give much peaceful atmosphere.
4- Cultural center and museums
The Cultural Center of Cascais is an also an art museum that offers visitors the opportunity to see its permanent collection as well as several temporary exhibitions. Do not be fooled by the outdoors painted in bright pink the building originally housed a convent. Admission is free, as in all Cascais museums especially in sunday. poeple must not miss such a chance to visit buildings and museums free as they have to pay in other countries to enter in any emblematic place.
Another building not to miss is the Casa de Santa Maria that represents another grand building of the previous century most probabely the nineteen is open nowadays to the public. From its windows upstairs the house offers a breathtaking view of the Cascais coast since its located just in front of the most emblematic place in cascais. Decorative tiles with unique patterns represent the main attraction of the house which is right in front of the white and blue lighthouse which also houses a small museum. This small but rich museum will help many poeple to get an idea of the history of the Cascais fishing community and fishing in Portugal in general. A second piece presents objects related to the ocean and a selection of model boats. The visit of the museum normally lasts less than 30 minutes and cost no money so poeple must enjoy this opportunity.
The museum Condes de Castro Guimarães is a superb attraction to watch also and to visit thats is located mainly in the Gothic imitation offset castle built by an Irish millionaire. The building then became the property of the Cascais City Council which turned it into a public museum where poeple can really admire magnificent furniture as well as the art collection of the first owner of the castle. The museum's most amazing place to visit is showing one of the oldest images in Lisbon. For poeple not liking a lot museums and prefer nature and free places over closed ones, an incredibly pleasant walk along the coast between Cascais and Estoril can be enjoyed incredibly as It follows the seafront promenade past superb mansions, a natural saltwater pool, and numerous cafes and bars. The walk takes about thirty minutes and it is even possible to take the train back to Lisbon from the Estoril train station.
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