Culture

Heritage

The Estoril Coast has a rich historical past. A tantalising range of historical buildings and other sites of cultural interest all lie within easy reach.

Oitavos Fort

The plans of the original 18th century fort, first drawn up in 1796, are in the National Archives.
They were used in restoring the fort and its rooms are exact replicas of the original 18th century building.

Open from 11– 18h (Summer) and 10 – 17h (Winter).
Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays.

Estrada do Guincho - Guincho
2750-374 Cascais

Casa de Santa Maria

The Casa de Santa Maria consists of a series of rooms, featuring in its interior a large number of figurative and patterned tiles, with rustic as well as religious illustrations, along with the oil-painted wooden ceiling, which was adapted for the dining room.

Museum of the Sea

Cascais has always had extremely strong links with the sea, with sailing and with fishing.

The museum’s vast range of exhibits gives a full and fascinating picture of Cascais through the ages. There are sections on natural history, ethnology, and underwater archaeology.

Open from 10 – 17h every day except Mondays and Public Holidays.

Rua Júlio Pereira de Melo
2750-407 Cascais
Telephone:+ 351 21 481 59 06

Regaleira Palace and Gardens

Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg was one such person, and Carvalho Monteiro was another.
A highly cultured man who had made a fortune in Brazil, Carvalho Monteiro, like many before him, chose Sintra as a suitable place to realise his spiritual dream.
He did so at Quinta da Regaleira, a beautiful estate less than 1km away from the old town centre.

A visit to Regaleira is a powerful and fascinating experience.
Guided tours by appointment only.

Rua Barbosa du Bocage
2710-567 Sintra
Telephone:+ 351 21 910 66 50

The Moorish Castle

The Moors built this medieval castle on the site of an earlier Arab fortification. In the 12th century, at the time of the Christian reconquest, when Portugal first became a nation, the Arabs abandoned the castle to the advancing forces of King Afonso I.
Perched on a craggy hilltop in a landscape of extraordinary natural beauty; the castle is a dramatic sight.

Opening hours: 9 – 20h (Summer) / 9 – 19h (Winter)

Parques de Sintra-Monte da Lua, S.Pedro de Penaferrim
2710 Sintra
Telephone:+ 351 21 910 79 70