Luggage Storage Cascais

More about Cascais

About Cascais

Cascais is one of Portugal's wealthiest municipalities. Thanks to its magnificent beaches and its proximity to Lisbon, the town has become one of the country's premier tourist destinations. This is where Portugal's wealthy buy second homes to get away from the capital and enjoy the country scenery. It has the most expensive real estate and the highest quality of living in the whole country, and to this day, the president of Portugal traditionally summers here.

Cascais was first inhabited during the Stone Age. The Romans established a settlement here, and the town passed into Muslim hands during the Moorish occupation of Iberia. For much of its history, Cascais was a fishing village and depended on the sea for its economy. But the trade in fish made the town wealthy, and throughout the medieval period, Cascais continued to grow.

The strategic location of the town close to Lisbon saw a castle built in 1488. It was enlarged and improved in the 16th century. However, the fortifications proved inadequate to keep out Napoleon’s troops, who occupied Portugal in the early 19th century. After Napoleon's defeat, Cascais began to go into decline, but its fortunes were reversed in the late 19th century when the Portuguese royal family made it their summer home. This attracted other wealthy residents, and soon, Cascais was one of the places to be seen on the Portuguese Riviera. In the past, it has been home to the British King Edward VIII, Juan Carlos I of Spain, and exiled president of Cuba Fulgencio Batista. The casino in Cascais was the inspiration for the James Bond novel Casino Royale.

Things to do in Cascais

Cascais is best known for its beaches, and many visitors never stray far from the golden sand and roaring Atlantic waves. There's nothing wrong with that, but Cascais has more to offer than just sun and sand. Historic attractions make a nice change from the beach, but there's always somewhere new to explore in a city with scenery like this.

• Learn more about the history of the region at the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães. Located in a striking building dating back to 1900, the eclectic collection here once belonged to a wealthy individual. Don’t miss the stunning library with 25,000 books, some of which date back centuries.

• Get your beach fix at Rainha beach. Cascais has no shortage of beaches to choose from, but this sandy cove with its astonishingly clear waters is conveniently close to the city. The beach faces east, so if you're looking for a place to watch the sunrise, Rainha can't be beaten.

• Lose yourself in the charming streets of the Old Town. This upscale district is full of glitzy boutiques and luxurious restaurants. It’s also a great place to people watch and do some window shopping.

• See a wilder side of Cascais at Boca do Inferno, or the Mouth of Hell. This stunning rock formation in the rugged cliffs just outside town is a great place to get some photos of the scenery that makes the region so special. When the sea is rough, waves surge through this cave and make for dramatic viewing.

• Mix it up with the global elite at Cascais Marina. Home to hundreds of stunning yachts, the recently redeveloped Marina is a great place for a stroll along the waterfront. You’ll also find plenty of bars and restaurants here if you’re in need of refreshment.

Transit options in Cascais

• Lisbon Airport is the closest to Cascais. There is a direct bus connection between the city and the airport on Aerobus 1, which makes the journey every 20 minutes.

• Cais de Sodre station in Cascais is connected to Lisbon's central train station by a 30-minute train ride.

• A single bus line serves the city, leaving from outside the train station and visiting all the major tourist spots in town. Rental bikes are also a popular way to explore the town and enjoy the reliably pleasant weather.

Luggage storage in Cascais

Cascais is an extremely walkable city. With beautiful scenery and generally sunny weather, traveling on foot or by bike is strongly recommended in this upscale resort. You can make things easier on yourself by leaving any bulky bags at a Bounce luggage storage shop  in Cascais. Drop off any size of bags for as long as you need to make your trip more comfortable. No matter how long you need to leave them for, you can be confident your possessions will be safe until you come back.

Activities and attractions near Cascais

• Sintra-Cascais Natural Park: Just outside the city, Sintra-Cascais Natural Park's stunning scenery has to be seen to be believed. Established in 1994, the park covers a huge 56 square miles and preserves some of the most stunning coastline in the country. Almost endless hiking trails, beaches, and mountains are just waiting to be explored, along with the iconic castle of the Moors and Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in mainland Europe. You could easily spend days exploring this wilderness region and never see the same thing twice. Make the journey easier on yourself by dropping off extra bags at a luggage storage locker in Cascais before you visit.

• Tamariz Beach: Cascais isn’t short on beaches, but Tamariz Beach is still worth exploring. Unlike many of the local beaches, this protective stretch of coastline offers calm seas that are perfect for swimming, especially for young children. Once the favorite beach of the aristocrats who summered in Cascais, Tamariz is also worth a visit to check out the opulent casino and indulge your James Bond fantasies.

• Santa Marta Fort and Lighthouse: Explore more of the history of Portugal at the 17th century Santa Marta Fort and Lighthouse. An on-site museum explains the importance of this fortification, and the lighthouse offers views over the estuary and the ocean beyond. Visit at sunset for spectacular photo opportunities.