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We sail the same sea, but our destination is much closer to Lisbon: heading to the enchanting Cascais Bay. During the journey, made by coastal navigation, we enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Estoril coastline and spot in the distance the Sintra Mountains, the beaches of Costa da Caparica as well as the distant Cape Espichel.
Cascais Bay is located in the center of Cascais village. According to the ancestors, it is also known as Fish Beach or Fishermen’s Beach. In the lower area of Cascais you can still find Cascais Town Hall, Seixas Palace, Cascais Fish Market, the Maritime Ecopoint among others.
With that in mind, check out the events schedule for Cascais village and plan your visit.
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 notable writer who narrates in verse the glorious deeds of the Portuguese. He was born in Lisbon in 1524 and lost his right eye in a naval battle in the Strait of Gibraltar.
At 30 years old he docked in Goa for the first time. He faced enormous storms at the Cape of Good Hope. He sailed the Red Sea. He was in Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf. On a voyage between Macau and India, near the mouth of the Mekong River, he was shipwrecked, saving only himself and the manuscript of The Lusiads. Meanwhile, in 1567, he embarked in Malacca bound for Sofala, on the Island of Mozambique. Just over two years later, at 46 years old, he returned to Portugal and docked in Cascais aboard the ship Santa Clara.
His importance is so great that June 10 (the date marking his death) is a national holiday. In addition, it celebrates Portugal Day, Camões Day and Portuguese Communities Day.
* Luís de Camões, The Lusiads
** Sri Lanka, known as Taprobana in Antiquity. It 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 carabineros prawns, clams Bulhão Pato style and fresh charcoal-grilled fish. Para sobremesa, experimente as nozes de Cascais ou gelados artesanais junto à 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 2025, highlighting themes such as innovation, culture, sport and sustainability.
At the signal of the drones, the crowd began the countdown to the arrival of 2026. Then a fireworks display was reflected in the sea. Here’s a summary of the show:
