Cascais is a coastal town in Portugal, 30 km west of Lisbon, along the Estoril Coast. It is a cosmopolitan suburb of the Portuguese capital and is one of the richest municipalities in Portugal. The former fishing village gained fame as a resort for Portugal's royal family in the late 1800s. It is a popular vacation spot for both Portuguese and foreign tourists. Whilst it is undoubtedly the best vacation area in greater Lisbon, it is also home to many Portuguese nationals working in downtown Lisbon.
Sometimes referred to as the “Towns of Kings and Fishes”, what was once a small fishing village can now be aptly described as the Hollywood of Portugal. Many of the rich and famous own property in Cascais in order to enjoy the town’s cosmopolitan feel, its luxurious villas and fashionable shops and restaurants. Surrounded by a variety of beaches, Cascais’ coastline stretches northwards where the Atlantic meets many rugged and wild beaches, and eastwards towards Lisbon where beaches are calmer and better equipped.
Cascais is a town suitable for investment for a number of reasons. It is at the centre of Portugal and very near to its capital. Cascais has excellent infrastructure while still having many natural assets – such as many protected natural parks and 30 km of coastline. Cascais has also excelled in terms of education. It has double the national average of people with higher education as well as the lowest school dropout rate.
From a living perspective, foreign homeowners are welcomed by the Cascais community, as the Portuguese are fundamentally embracing of diversity. A large portion of Cascais’ population is foreign and represents people from all over the world including South Africa. Additionally, many of Cascais’ residents are fluent in English, Spanish and French making it easy to communicate with locals.