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We sail in the same sea but have as a destination a close location: towards the enchanting Bay of Cascais. During the sail, by means of coastal navigation, you can enjoy a breathtaking scenery. From the Estoril coast and the view of the Serra de Sintra, Costa da Caparica’s beaches to Cape Espichel.
Cascais Bay is located in the center of the Cascais village. According to its ancestors, it is also known as Fish Beach or Fishermen’s Beach. In the lower part of Cascais you can also find Cascais Town Hall, the Seixas Palace, the Lota de Cascais, the Ecoponto Marítimo and among others.
Luís Vaz de Camões docked in Cascais
Luís Vaz de Camões, one of the major figures of the Portuguese literature and one of the great poets of the West, had the opportunity to sail to distant and unknown destinations.
The famous national epic, The Lusiads, is the main work of this remarkable writer. In this, he narrates the glorious achievements of the Portuguese in verse.
He docked at Goa for the first time at the age of 30. He faced huge storms at the Cape of Good Hope. He sailed in the Red Sea. He was in Ormuz, in the Persian Gulf. On a journey between Macao and India, near the mouth of the Mekong River, he was shipwrecked, saving only himself and the manuscript of The Lusiads. In 1567 he embarked on a voyage from Malacca to Sofala, on the island of Mozambique. Just over two years later, with 46 years, he returned to Portugal and docked in Cascais onboard the Santa Clara ship.
It is of such great importance that June 10 (date of his death) is a national holiday. It is also the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities.
* Luís de Camões, The Lusiads
** Sri Lanka, known as Taprobana in ancient times, is an Asian island country, located off the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
Cascais today: tourism, culture, and sustainability
Currently, Cascais receives more than 1.2 million visitors per year and is recognized for its modern infrastructure, certified quality beaches, seaside cuisine, and renowned cultural events, such as:
- EDP Cool Jazz Festival
- Ironman Portugal Cascais
- Cascais Film Festival
- Craft fairs, Christmas markets, and public art exhibitions
The Museum District, which includes the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, the Sea Museum, and the Paula Rego House of Stories, makes Cascais a true cultural center by the sea.
Near the Bay, you can visit:
- Boca do Inferno: rock formation where the sea crashes forcefully against the cliffs.
- Santa Marta Lighthouse: museum and active lighthouse with panoramic views of the coast.
- Marechal Carmona Park: ideal for picnics and moments of relaxation.
- Cascais Marina: starting point for boat trips and local cuisine.
- Guincho Cycle Path: a bike route with the sea on one side and the Sintra Mountains in the background.
Local cuisine: Seafood rice, fish stew, grilled scarlet prawns, clams à la Bulhão Pato, and fresh fish grilled over charcoal. For dessert, try Cascais walnuts or artisanal ice cream by the marina.
New Year’s Eve in Cascais Bay
On New Year’s Eve, Cascais Bay was the scene of a dazzling aerial spectacle. Around 300 drones lit up the sky with synchronized choreography, accompanied by a sound retrospective of 2024, highlighting themes such as innovation, culture, sport and sustainability.
At the signal of the drones, the crowd began the countdown to the arrival of 2025. Then a fireworks display was reflected in the sea. Here’s a summary of the show:
