Things to Do in Cascais

Spies & Royalty –  Estoril Cascais 

Half Brazilian and half Portuguese, raised between cultures and shaped by an international life lived across Estoril, London, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro. As a writer and performer, I have always been drawn to outsiders, expatriates, exiles, and those who never quite fit neatly into a single place or identity. My first novel is set in Cascais, a place whose layered history continues to inspire my work and fascination with people who lived between worlds.

Join me for a walking tour through Estoril and Cascais, exploring the fascinating history of spies, exiles, diplomats and royalty who passed through the Portuguese Riviera during World War II.

Portugal remained neutral during the war, and Estoril became an extraordinary meeting point for refugees, intelligence agents, aristocrats and political figures from across Europe. Along the way, we will discover the places, hotels and stories that helped inspire Ian Fleming's vision of James Bond.

This tour combines history, storytelling and local knowledge, offering a deeper look at one of the most intriguing chapters of Portuguese history.

Ideal for travelers interested in history, espionage, World War II and the hidden stories behind famous places.

The Cascais Free Tour will have the sea as its companion, from the beaches of Conceição and Rainha to the mystical Boca do Inferno. But Cascais isn't just its white sandy beaches, small shops in the narrowest streets or restaurants where the fresh fish arrives every day. Cascais was once a simple fishing village and in this Free Tour we will tell you how it became the summer retreat of the Portuguese monarchy in the 19th century. What would the 19th century beaches be like in the Cascais region? How were the ladies and gentlemen dressed who enjoyed this paradise just over 30 kilometres from Lisbon every summer? What was the importance of Cascais for the Discoveries? What happened to it in the great earthquake of 1755? Why is there such a large English community in Cascais? These and many other questions will be answered throughout our Cascais Freetour. We will also get to know one of the most famous ice-cream parlours in the world, Santini, and the history of its founder, the Italian Attilio Santini. Never losing sight of the colourful bay of Cascais, the most recent boats, side by side with the small boats of fishermen. There will certainly not be a more invigorating Take Freetour. For more than 2 hours, the Cascais Free Tour is bathed in the energy of the sun and the sea, the stories of the village's foundation, the royal palaces, the fishing boats and the love stories and mysteries of international espionage. Be prepared He is also preparing for a breathtaking end! Not to be missed.

Welcome to Cascais! The favorite summer spot of the royal family!

Regarding the schedule, I can tell you that the morning is ideal for exploring the city and then relaxing on the beach you liked the most, while the afternoon is for those who visited other places like Belém in the morning and want to end the day on the coast watching the sunset.

With a coastline full of palaces, mansions, and chalets, we will enjoy the fresh sea breeze so cherished by the royal family and discover part of its history and stunning landscapes of all kinds of colors.
Hours that will feel like just 10 minutes, but you can continue by having lunch at the famous restaurants of Cascais to carry on your day with the best advice from your guide.

A perfect tour to ensure you haven't missed anything and to discover your next relaxation destination after a long time working or studying.

With our travel insurance, you can travel with peace of mind and focus solely on unwinding and enjoying your holiday. Don't let anything spoil your trip!