Every city has its own story, and Cascais is no exception. This third-largest city in Portugal was once a fishing village that developed into a busy port city starting in the 14th century, later becoming a famous coastal resort due to historical circumstances. With a constant flow of visitors and the enduring sound of the waves, Cascais tells its story to every traveler who visits.
Royal Harbor
Maintaining a neutral stance, Portugal was spared from the destruction of World War II. This peaceful corner allowed royalty and nobility from many countries to flee here, and the picturesque Cascais became a safe haven for them. The royal families of Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Bulgaria all sought refuge here from the war, and the Duke of Windsor also resided here, which even sparked a thrilling power struggle.
What truly made Cascais famous was King Luís I of Portugal. In the late 19th century, tired of the sweltering heat of Lisbon and having heard of the charm of Cascais, he decided to develop it into the summer retreat for the Portuguese royal family. The official residences and villas built there completely transformed the original appearance of Cascais as a fishing village.
Espionage Center
During World War II, Portugal was free from the ravages of war, leading major nations to establish embassies and consulates in its capital, Lisbon, and a large number of spies flooded into the country. Located 30 kilometers west of Lisbon, Cascais naturally had a large number of intelligence agents from both the Allied and Axis powers stationed there.
Beneath the surface peace of Cascais lay various undercurrents, making it a capital of espionage and a city of shadow wars. Spies from various countries disguised themselves as all sorts of people, and a vast amount of intelligence was sent from here, constantly staging real-life scenes of intrigue. British and German intelligence agencies once engaged in an espionage battle in Cascais over the Duke of Windsor.
007: Cinematic Legend
The historical legacy of World War II makes stories of espionage in Cascais abundant. The story of 007, James Bond, was written here by an intelligence officer.
Ian Fleming, the author of the 007 series, was once a famous British intelligence officer, and Cascais was one of the main battlefields of his espionage career. After the war, he returned to Cascais, and revisiting the old site inspired him to create the courageous, resourceful, and dashing 007 tough-guy persona. Cascais, this former center of espionage, became the birthplace of 007 and continues to attract a large number of tourists who come to search for stories and legends left behind by World War II espionage.
Beyond History
The smoke of World War II has faded from Cascais, and the accumulation of history makes it even more captivating today. This small coastal town has its own unique charm, with red-tiled roofs, white walls, and tree-lined streets. On the ground paved with square stones, blue ripples are painted with dye. Because Cascais became a sister city with Wuxi, China, in 1993, a pedestrian street near its city hall was named "Wuxi Street."
Strolling through the city streets, one can feel the aristocratic atmosphere left by the royalty, while cozy scenes of daily life are even more common, allowing visitors to experience a more authentic and lived-in Cascais. Visitors can play on the beach, listen to the waves, go surfing, or enjoy windsurfing to fully appreciate the myriad charms of the Atlantic Ocean.
More than a dozen kilometers west of Cascais lies the westernmost point of continental Europe—Cabo da Roca. A cross stands on Cabo da Roca, inscribed with the famous words of the renowned Portuguese poet Luís de Camões: "Where the land ends and the sea begins." The steep cliffs of Cabo da Roca extend over the ocean, giving one the illusion of having reached the end of the world.
Such a unique geographical location and romantic atmosphere attract many tourists to enjoy the sunset over the Atlantic. Local tourism agencies even prepare a special souvenir—a certificate printed with the geographical location map of Cabo da Roca and the Portuguese national emblem, which also includes the visitor's name.
