Cidadela de Cascais — Local services in Cascais

We have been trying “like forever” to get a tour of the Citadel Palace. Either it was closed or there were no English-speaking guides available. You see, you take a risk if you simply show up to tour the Palace. If you are an English speaker, you must be accompanied by an English-speaking guide. Those are the rules. On this occasion our timing was perfect and we were fortunate to have Alexander as our English-speaking guide. He was friendly, informative, interesting and, at times, funny. We had a small group and everyone was very engaged. Apparently, our enthusiasm rubbed-off on Alexander who was even more excited and animated to share with us his thoughts and insights. A throughly enjoyable tour. Helpful Hint: Plan ahead and make a reservation. On Sundays the...

Citadel of Cascais Cidadela de Cascais Cascais, Lisbon District, Portugal Cidadela cascais 6.jpg Coordinates 38°41′36″N 9°25′11″W Type Bastion fort Site information Open to the public Yes Condition Restored, with areas converted to a hotel and an Arts Centre (Cidadela Art District) Site history Built 1488-; 1594- ;1648- In use To the present Materials Basalt The Citadel of Cascais is a set of fortifications built between the 15th and 17th centuries to defend the Cascais coastline and River Tagus estuary and to protect against attacks on the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. The citadel incorporates three separate developments, the tower of Santo António de Cascais, the Fortress of Our Lady of Light (Nossa Senhora da Luz de Cascais), and the former Royal...

More than disappointing. This is the second time we have tried to see the Palace. This time we purchased a 3-day museum pass from the Cultural Center that should have provided our admission, but when we arrived at the Palace (after their noon break) we were told that there was no room for us and that we had to make a reservation. We had no problems getting into any of the other museums with the pass with no reservations. Why is the Palace so special? Is it simply a problem with staffing, competency or both? Helpful Hint: There are so many more wonderful places to visit in Cascais. Skip the Palace, avoid the disappointment and see instead the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, the Santa Maria House, the Santa Maria Lighthouse, and the...