The Town Museum shares the building of the Town Hall
A tile-covered building from the 1700s doubles as the Town Hall and a museum devoted to the history and culture of Cascais. It’s located in the main square, facing the sea, and is worth a stop to get to know the town.
Ancient artifacts (ranging from cups to sandals), old photographs and videos, plus interactive displays show how Cascais evolved from prehistoric times to the 20th century, and how it went from a small fishing village to a cosmopolitan resort for the upper classes.
Visitors may also photograph themselves in the year 1900, hear national and international music hits from a 1930s radio, and see displays showing what it was like to be in Cascais during WWII.
There’s also a shop which is a restored grocery store from the mid-20th century, while outside (on Rua Marques Leal Pancada) are Roman tanks used to salt and preserve fish in the 1st century B.C.
The rococo tiles that adorn the building’s façade depict saints, while right in front is a bronze statue of King Pedro I, who elevated the former village of Cascais to the category of town in 1364.
Praça 5 de Outubro
Admission and Tickets to the Town Museum
Admission is free.
It's closed on Mondays
Attractions Nearby
Citadel - The town’s oldest monument (a fortified complex from the 1500s) is right up the street, and is now a cultural space.
Praia da Ribeira - Across the road from the museum is the small stretch of sand of a beach mostly frequented by sunbathing tourists and locals playing volleyball.