Just 20 minutes west of Lisbon, the coastal resort town of Cascais has long served as a pleasant day-tripping destination for those visiting the Portuguese capital.
However, travellers – and families moving to Portugal – are now increasingly viewing Cascais as a destination in its own right. Christina Hippisley, General Manager of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in the UK, explains:
“Cascais looks set to be one of Portugal’s key travel hotspots in 2024. Holidaymakers love the picturesque setting, the beaches and the stunning historic buildings.
Cascais also hosts a huge range of events throughout the year, from exhibitions and plays to live music and gastronomy festivals – there’s so much to do there. In addition to travellers, working families are increasingly aware of the excellent quality of life that Cascais offers. There will be plenty of discussion around this at the upcoming Moving to Portugal Show in London.”
The free-to-attend Moving to Portugal Show and Seminars will take place at London’s Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel on 14th March 2024. The team from Visit Cascais will be present to speak to attendees about life in the popular coastal resort.
In many ways, Cascais provides the perfect blend of urban living and access to nature. Its bustling centre is packed with shops, restaurants, and traditional Portuguese commerce, while further out the town leads to the magnificent Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The mountains of nearby Sintra also provide a stunning backdrop for a number of superb golf courses – as does the sparkling Atlantic.
Cascais is still deeply connected with its fishing village roots. Fishermen head out to the high seas daily from the pretty bay. Many restaurants serve traditional cuisine, with an abundance of delicious seafood and excellent Portuguese wines. Locals catch up over coffee and super-sweet pastries or enjoy taking a moment to rest on a shady bench beneath the palm trees.
Cascais is also home to a dynamic business community and a selection of international schools, making it an excellent choice for everyone from digital nomads to families seeking to relocate in search of a better quality of life.
Being just 20 minutes from Lisbon also means that Cascais residents are in a prime position to tap into the capital city’s economic potential. Lisbon jumped three places up the rankings in PWC’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate Europe 2024 report, ranking eighth in Europe for its overall prospects. Just three years ago, the city ranked 16th. PWC lists Lisbon’s economic performance, availability of assets, regulatory environment, and attractiveness to talent as some of the key drivers behind the city’s rise – all of which have the potential to impact those living in Cascais significantly.
Cascais’ accessibility is another plus point. The town is just a 36-minute drive from Lisbon airport, which provides easy access to the UK, Europe, the US and other global destinations.
Another plus point for many of those relocating to Cascais from the UK is the widespread use of English. EF’s global ranking of countries by their level of English proficiency places Portugal eight in the world, meaning families have plenty of time to learn the language as they settle in to life in Cascais.
There are 18 international schools, top-ranking universities, and state-of-art healthcare facilities in the local area. There is a ‘Live in Cascais Program’ card for residents with useful daily benefits including health, mobility, culture, and leisure.
Cascais is committed to sustainable initiatives and goals for 2030 Agenda (UNWTO) among other focuses on technology to improve the quality of life of all those who live, work and study in the region.
With Cascais being part of the “Portuguese Riviera”, the town is certainly not home to the kinds of bargains available in rural Portugal but remains highly affordable compared to many areas in such proximity to a leading European city.
There are many extraordinary properties of all types and styles with equally different surroundings. Finding a dream home that fulfills the demands, preferences and expectations will be easy!
With an already well-established expat community, Cascais has become a Hub for remote workers, with opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and the best place to turn work into daily motivation. Cascais has its arms open to the world!
The Moving to Portugal Show on 14th March will feature a refreshed seminar programme and a selection of carefully chosen exhibitors providing expert advice. Attendees can access information on residency, tax, visas, property prices, homes for sale, investment opportunities and many other aspects of moving to, and living in, Portugal. The show runs from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm and is free to attend. Tickets should be booked online in advance HERE: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/moving-to-portugal-show-seminars-london-14-march-2024-registration-769210899507
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