The old fortress at the harbour mouth dates to the sixteenth century, built to guard the mouth of the Tagus against pirates and rival navies. The walls and bastions are largely intact, and today the interior houses a hotel, galleries, and artists' studios that are open to the public. It is possible to walk the outer ramparts for views over the harbour and the coast toward Estoril.
Cidadela de Cascais
16th-century harbour fortress turned hotel and artists' studios
A story
The Cidadela served as the official summer residence of the Portuguese royal family from the 1870s until the fall of the monarchy in 1910. After decades of military use, it was converted into a luxury hotel and arts complex — the original royal apartments are now guest rooms.