A good friend of ours who lives in Cascais ("kush-kaish"), refers to it as the Newport Beach of Portugal. There are definitely common elements -- beautiful beaches, fine restaurants and hotels, trendy bars, magnificent homes and villas, fashion boutiques, lots of tourists, and a distinctly rich feel. Originally a fishing village, Cascais became a fashionable tourist destination in the 19th century when Portuguese nobility started spending their summers there.
On our 2018 anniversary trip, we stayed at the Albatroz Hotel, right on the coast, and enjoyed wonderful ocean views as well as excellent service and accommodations. The weather in early June was a little cool but warm enough for lots of long walks through the town and along the beaches and promenade.
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The terminus for one of our walks was Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth), a coastal cave formation that is a spectacle, especially at high tide. The marble plaque commemorates Aleister Crowley, an infamous British author, magician, and occultist, who faked his suicide here after breaking up with his girlfriend ("The Scarlet Woman").
Updated August 2021
We visited with friends Will and Heather for a couple of days and stayed in their delightful, light-filled Cascais apartment. There were lots of walks around the neighborhood with its beautiful homes, established trees and parks, marina, and trail along the sea cliffs. Dining and shopping were close-by in the old town and lovely Casa de Guia outdoor shopping area overlooking the ocean.
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Will and I played a round of golf at his local club, Oitavos Dunes, which affords spectacular ocean views from many holes, including Cabo da Roca, continental Europe's most western point. It is a links course and Will says the NW wind is invariably a factor. Sure enough, we battled sustained 35mph+ winds the entire round. Challenging! But apparently, the stiff breezes didn't deter Cristiano Rinaldo, probably the most famous (and richest) person in Portugal, from building a mansion right at the entrance to the club.
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