International Day for Monuments and Sites in Cascais
Cascais, European Capital of Democracy, joins the international and national celebration of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, inviting all audiences to visit a monument, museum, or site and enjoy a cultural program that extends over several days.
In 2026, the International Council of Monuments and Sites - ICOMOS chose the theme Living Heritage: Emergency Response in Conflict and Disaster Contexts, aiming to raise public awareness of the need to protect cultural and historical heritage, promoting "the adoption of proactive attitudes in adapting to and safeguarding heritage in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate."
After the storms, all of Cascais' cultural spaces reopened with a program that looks to a future based on innovation and the critical perspective of new generations, privileging the tradition and history that distinguish and characterize this municipality.
Come and discover the Cultural Heritage of Cascais. Your visit is our legacy! Together, we can protect and promote the Cultural Heritage that unites and inspires us!
International Day for Monuments and Sites
Organized by: Cascais City Council
Saturday, April 18
Cascais Tide Gauge (Marégrafo de Cascais)
Times: 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:30 PM
Come and discover the history of one of the first European observatories dedicated to the study of tides.
Registration: museumar@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 906 (National landline call)
King D. Carlos Sea Museum (Museu do Mar)
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Guided Tour: "Women of the Sea: Tides of Strength" Explore the central role of women in Cascais' coastal identity and their silent, yet powerful, contribution to local community life.
Registration: museumar@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 906 (National landline call)
Casal Saloio de Outeiro de Polima
On April 18th, come and discover the different stages of the musealization project of the mosaic from the manor house of the Roman villa of Freiria.
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Meeting: The mosaic of the manor house of the Roman villa of Freiria
Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum
International Day for Monuments and Sites (April 18) and II International Conference on House-Museums and Historic Residences (April 18 & 19)
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Interactive Tour: "The Enigma of Fernando Pessoa" Come and solve a mystery that has long inhabited the corridors of this museum.
Pre-registration: mccg@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 303
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Contemporary Dance Performances In dialogue with heritage, featuring the INVULGAR Dance Company (CERCICA).
Audience: General public.
Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Children's Morning * Guided Tours: 10:30 AM | 11:15 AM | 12:15 PM
Includes "peddy-paper" scavenger hunts and climbing the Lighthouse Tower.
Ages: 6 to 10 | Pre-registration: fmsm@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 328
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Children's Afternoon * 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM | Treasure HuntA fun hunt where participants follow clues through the history of the Lighthouse Museum.
Pre-registration: fmsm@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 328
5:00 PM | Live Music Concert by the SMUP Philharmonic Band.
Poço Velho Caves (Grutas do Poço Velho)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Reopening with Guided Tours Registration: museudavila@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 825 190
Town Museum (Museu da Vila)
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Thematic Tours Discover the history and evolution of Cascais through the museum's collection.
Registration: museudavila@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 825 190
Portuguese Music Museum – Casa Verdades de Faria
10:30 AM | Thematic Tour: "The Voice of the People as Heritage: Giacometti’s Legacy" Giacometti believed that the elderly, especially women, were the true keepers of tradition. This tour uses film records to highlight figures the ethnologist brought out of anonymity.
Registration: mmp@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 904
6:00 PM | Cascais Wind Quintet Recital by OCCO – Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra.
Sunday, April 19
Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum
- 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Thematic Tour: "The Fan, Cupid’s Telegraph" A presentation of the museum's fan collection, featuring the "Travels of Love" fan.
Audience: Adults (Limit: 12 participants).
Pre-registration: mccg@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 303 - 11:00 AM | Thematic Tour: "The St. Sebastian Tower – A House and its Characters"Ages: 10+ (Limit: 20 participants).
Pre-registration: mccg@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 303 - 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Medieval Dance Group: "Viajar na Dança"Audience: General public.
King D. Carlos Sea Museum
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Storytelling: "The Whale Who Wanted More" Children are invited to reflect on friendship and the value of sharing, followed by a creative workshop.
Registration: museumar@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 955
April 21, 22, and 23
Santa Marta Lighthouse Museum
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMGuided Tours with Lighthouse Keepers and Tower Climb Lighthouse keepers will share insights on lighthouse operations through the ages, the evolution of maritime lighting, and their role in navigation safety.
Audience: General public, schools, and institutions (Ages 6+).
Registration: fmsm@cm-cascais.pt | +351 214 815 328
April 22 | 6:30 PM
Conference: "Santa Marta at the crossroads of navigation, defense, and illumination of the Cascais Port and the Tagus Bar."
By Joaquim M. F. Boiça – UNESCO Club of the Tagus Estuary Cultural Landscape.
