Cascais
If you want to visit Lisbon, Cascais is a good place to find accommodation. It is not too far from the capital (about 20 km or so to the west) and there are excellent rail and road connections. Cascais lies on the coast and there are several nice beaches. It became a popular seaside resort during the 1870s, when the Portuguese royal family used to visit it during their holidays.
There are several intersting museums in Cascais.
- The Exiles Memorial Centre is a history museum that has exhibitions on the refugees who arrived in Portugal during WWII. It is located on the first floor of the building that also houses the Estoril post office.
- The Cascais Citadel Palace Museum is located on the grounds of the Citadel. The building has been used as an official residence of Portuguese presidents. The building was restored as a museum that focuses on the role of Portuguese presidents.
- Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum was originally built as an aristocrat's summer residence and it was converted into a museum in 1931. The museum is home to paintings, furniture, porcelain, jewellery and a neo-Gothic organ.
- Casa de Santa Maria is known for its wall tiles.
- The Lighthouse museum is a museum that is housed in the Santa Marta Lighthouse, which is right next to the Casa de Santa Maria. The exhibition shows the workings of lighthouse lenses and technology. At certain times it is also possible to climb the lighthouse for excellent views of Cascais.
- Casa Sommer is a private residence that has been converted into a historical museum. The municipal archives are also housed there.
- The King D. Carlos Sea Museum opened in 1992. Its exhibitions focus on the origins of Cascais as a fishing village.
- The Museu da Vila, or town museum, shows the history of Cascais.
; "Image 1 - View of the town [68kB]")
; "Image 2 - Casa de Santa Maria and lighthouse ©Jeroen den Otter [153kB]")
; "Image 3 - Cascais ©Ilse Stokking [214kB]")
; "Image 4 - Cascais ©Ilse Stokking [144kB]")
; "Image 5 - Cascais Castle ©Gabriel Castro [148kB]")
; "Image 6 - Cascais ©Alvin David [127kB]")
; "Image 7 - Cascais ©Cassia Tofano [146kB]")
; "Image 8 - Lighthouse ©Sergio Otoya [40kB]")
; "Image 9 - Cascais Castle ©William V. [164kB]")
; "Image 10 - Cascais ©Bernard Hermant [93kB]")
; "Image 11 - Cascais ©Alvin David
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