Berlitz: Lisbon Pocket Guide by APA

Author:APA
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Travel, Lisbon
Publisher: APA
Published: 2014-01-30T16:00:00+00:00

On the seafront at Cascais

Lydia Evans

Cascais’ main square is charming, with swirling-patterned monochrome paving underfoot. The Paços do Concelho (Town Hall) has stately windows with iron railings, separated by panels of azulejos depicting saints. The fire station occupies a place of honour between the town hall and an attractive church, while in the square itself, stands a statue of Pedro I.

Boca do Inferno

Lydia Evans

The sturdy-looking 17th-century fort, the Cidadela (Citadel), now occupied by the military, is one of the few buildings to have survived the earthquake and tidal wave of 1755. A chapel within the walls contains an image of St Anthony, traditionally carried on the back of a white mule in the parade on the feast day of Santo António (13 June).

After an overdose of sun and salt, the municipal park down the road is a cool relief. The palace in this park is a lovely villa housing the Museu dos Condes de Castro Guimarães (Museum of the Counts of Castro Guimarães; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–1pm and 2–5pm; charge), a museum with archeological remains, artworks, old furniture, gold and silver. For a more complete picture of the resort's fishing heritage and royal connections, visit the intriguing Museu do Mar – Rei Dom Carlos (King Carlos Museum of the Seas; Tue–Sun 10am–5pm), which has historic photographs of the king, who was an enthusiastic marine biologist, at leisure, as well as the costumes and customs of the fisherfolk.

The road out of Cascais to the west passes Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell), a geological curiosity where, in rough weather, the waves send up astonishingly high spouts of spray accompanied by ferocious sound effects. On a day when the sea is calm, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about.

Cabo da Roca

At Guincho, you have the choice of either a sandy beach or the rocks to fish from, but be careful – they face the open sea and it's often rough, and hence a windsurfer's heaven. Just up the coast you can see the windswept cape of Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point of mainland Europe. You can reach the cape by continuing on from Guincho, through Malveira, and then turning left. A right turn at the same points leads you along a winding road through the glorious, pine-scented Serra de Sintra, finishing up back in Sintra.

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