Cascais

Cascais is a small beach town in Portugal next to Estoril coast in the greater Lisbon area. Get in Cascais is easily reachable from Lisbon by car or by train (40min), from the Cais do Sodré station. A return ticket costs 2.30€ and can be bought from the automatic ticket machines. Remember to keep the ticket as it will be checked and punched by the conductor in both directions. A shuttle bus service operated by Scotturb runs between Cascais and Lisbon airport. A car ride between Lisbon International Airport and Cascais can range between 30 minutes and 1h15 (on rush hours). Cascais once a fishermen's harbour is a nice and sophisticated town, also a great gateway to explore the beautiful gold sand beach of Guincho. Get around The town is small enough to explore entirely by foot. To get a feeling for the life it's best to stroll around on foot. Uphill, beyond the town centre there are numerous narrow cobbled streets to explore with interesting architecture, plants and animals to see. By Bicycle Riding a bicycle in Cascais is one of the "must do" things. From the beach you can venture further up the hill towards the westernmost point of continental Europe mainland and even Sintra using the nice roads while crossing the heart of this incredible nature reserve so close to the capital city of Lisbon Basic, though perfectly functioning bicycles are available to rent for free (providing you have ID and your accommodation address) through the municipal council's BiCas scheme. Bicycles are available from several locations around the town. The tourist office will have further information. This bikes are heavily used by locals, students and budget minded visitors, not always available when needed and when available not always in the best mechanical conditions thus the common breakdowns. Companies operating from Lisbon include Bike Iberia (Phone: +351 96 242 3455, [1]) located in Lisbon Downtown right off the train station of Cais Sodre. By Bus A looped bus line, BusCas, serves the town and the nearby surrounding area. For travelling further afield there is an extensive bus service, mainly operating from the bus station beneath the shopping centre opposite the train station. Taxis are always available and easy enough to find in the centre of town. See Cascais is the dormitory of the Lisbon international working community and the "younger set" who enjoy the diverse and sophisticated nightlife.There is a famous beach and casino in Estoril. 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 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. 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. You can walk to Estoril from Cascais along the beachfront esplanade, passing many beachside bars and restaurants. 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. Do Beginning on Avenida Rei Humberto II de Italia, just outside town past the marina, is a cycle lane and footpath extending the whole 5 km to Guincho beaches. This route runs beside the sea and is ideal for morning and evening strolls. The almost perennial North Atlantic sea breeze lends a refreshing air, especially during the hot summer months. Along the way you will find Boca Do Inferno, the famed "Mouth of Hell", where there is also a snack cafe, seafood restaurant and vendors of touristy gifts. The marina area is very active: Boat Marina www.marina-cascais.com Numerous golf courses are located in the area: Oitavos Golf Course, tel: 214 860 180. Quinta da Marinha Golf Course, tel: 214 869 881. Racing Track, Fernanda Pires da Silva, tel: 214 609 500. Sightseeing Tours Although Cascais itself can be easily covered on foot or bicycle, it is a great base of operations as a starting point for many day tours to more or less nearby places of interest, such as Lisbon, Sintra, Ericeira, Queluz, Mafra, Fátima, Óbidos, Évora, Nazaré, Alcobaça, Arrábida, Sesimbra, and Azeitão. There are car service companies specialized in private chauffeur-driven sightseeing tours that can offer standard or taylor-made programs. Not within everyone's budget, but these services offer good value-for-money if you get a local knowlegeable driver to escort you. Try Royal Executive Portugal ( ☎ +351 932003040 reservations@royal-executive.pt  ; www.royal-executive.pt ) or inquiry the local tourist office or hotel reception about these services. Buy Teatro Experimental de Cascais 214 670 320 Teatro Gil Vicente 214 830 522 Eat Panorama, Estr. do Guincho 2750-642. Tel: 21487 9458 Restaurante O Pescador, Rua das flores nº 10 B. Tel: 00351-21 483 20 54. Fresh seafood fills the menu at this folksy restaurant, a favorite since 1964, where a cluttered ceiling and maritime-related artifacts distract the eye. Sole is a specialty, and this is also a good place to try bacalhau (dried salt cod); it's often baked here, either with cream or with port wine and onions. Pop Sandwich. A tiny sandwich bar offering fresh-made baguettes, sandwiches and mini-pizzas along with the usual assortment of coffee and cold drinks. Found on the main shopping street, its bright green interior makes it easy to find. Run by an old Portuguese couple the food is fresh, delicious and unbelievably cheap. Great for a quick meal before heading down to the beach. A large sandwich and coffee should cost around 2€. Drink Sleep Cascais is in the development phase and several holiday apartment buildings & hotels are currently under construction. The corso (beach road) is busy at night so ensure you room is not directing to it. Mid-range Pestana Cascais, Avenida Manuel Júlio Carvalho e Costa, 115 Guia - Cascais 2754-518 Portugal, ☎ +351 21 482 5900 (fax:+351 21 482 5977) (pestana.cascais@pestana.com), [2]. *Vila Galé Cascais, Rua Frei Nicolau de Oliveira, nº80 - Parque da Gandarinha, 2750-641 CASCAIS, ☎ (+351) 214 826 000 (cascais@vilagale.pt), [3]. Near the renowned Cascais Marina, absolutely perfect for wonderful holidays, corporate meetings, and special events. Online booking Splurge Hotel Albatroz Cascais, Rua Frederico Arouca Nº 100, 2750-353 Cascais -, ☎ +351-214 847 380 (albatroz@albatrozhotels.com, fax: +351-214 844 827), [4]. Hotel Albatroz Cascais is located around 30km from Lisbon, this boutique hotel is a reference as a luxury hotel in Lisbon/Cascais Coast. A set of 5 charismatic historical buildings turned into a luxury hotel with a unique location above the sea, also enjoying a wide view over the sea. At the hotel: swimming pool, restaurant, bar, terrace, free private parking, room service, and all services from a 5 star hotel. Get out Sintra Mafra or Queluz, Costa da Caparica, Palmela, Sesimbra, Troia. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!