Pestana Cidadela Cascais, Pousada & Art District

This luxury hotel in Cascais, located at the Citadel Fortress that defended the entrance of the Tagus River, is a unique project in Portugal and in Europe. Much more than a hotel, it is a real Art District where you can find a Project Room and 6 Ateliers or Studios, which house resident artists and completely distinct and original projects and artworks. In addition, it houses two completely disparate museums: the World Press Cartoon and the Museum of the Presidency. Formality side by side with irreverence in an inspiring and absolutely memorable symbiosis.

But do not think that the appeal of the Cascais Citadel is recent: after all, there must be a reason for this place to have been elected as a royal holiday destination since the reign of King D. Luís I. Its amazing location overlooking the bay of Cascais, sheltered from the wind by the imposing defensive walls and protected from prying eyes by its upper position, is irresistible.

Here, the past is combined with the most innovative and original design, as well as with the most stunning art installations and performances. When you enter, you are welcomed by the 600 swallows crafted by the irreverent Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, announcing the importance of the Portuguese culture in this area and, simultaneously, the arrival of warm weather and happy days. As you wander along the corridors, you can come across both an installation by Bruno Pereira, the Hot L, evoking libido and fantasies commonly associated with these spaces; or a replica of the famous Bocca Sofa, originally designed by Salvador Dalí, the great surrealist master, inspired by the lips of the stunning Mae West. This piece, a true icon of modern design, invites you to spend a voluptuous hour reading the newspaper or stealing the show on your instagram feed.

The minimalist style that characterizes the outdoor spaces is replicated in the rooms, which give you all the light and space of experience, punctuated with unforgettable pieces of art. Incidentally, the Signature Rooms are an unique experience that gives a whole other dimension to your stay. This minimalism is essential to serve as a counterweight to the strength of the outside. The stunning beauty of the sea of Cascais, the deep blue that punctuates the view of the walls and the brightness of the Sun that gives life even to the most dormant stone in the terrace, makes you want to take advantage of the shadows, rest in the nooks and seek the serenity of the yards sheltered by the Sun. At the top of the wall, by the sophisticated and elegant restaurant Maris Stella, you'll find the fabulous indoor pool, whose doors and ceiling open to an even more symbiotic experience with the area. And if you go the beautiful Parapet Walk, you will find the Armory Garden and the Art Pool, the outdoor pool with its original installation with its lawn deck and its inviting sun beds. Under the scorching sun in the Solarium or by the shadow of history, your days will feel the appeal of the calmness and deep serenity of the blue.

And since you seek serenity, be sure to visit the Magic Spa, which has quiet massage and treatment rooms, and where you can choose to order a light lunch fresh from the sea to extend the feeling of lightness that follows any of your incursions into this space. Stroll, explore, lose yourself and find yourself again. Eat a snack at Taberna da Praça or a modern, authorial dish at Maris Stella. Visit Dejá Lu, the first solidarity bookstore in the country; or visit one of the ateliers of the resident artists. The truth is that, two steps away from the marina and from the cultural center of Cascais, and a five-minute walk from the town center, there is plenty to do outside the walls; but the truly unique experience that you can feel during your stay is lived within the fortress. And you can be sure that every minute of it will be memorable.