Lisbon named European Green Capital 2020
In addition to Portugal being awarded the title of "Europe's Leading Destination" at the annual World Travel Awards Europe Gala ceremony held recently, Lisbon picked up the award of "European Green Capital 2020" at a ceremony held in Nijmegen (The Netherlands), which serves as European Green Capital 2018. Lisbon will follow Oslo, the European Green Capital for 2019, announced the Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, at the ceremony.
Lisbon is made up of 18 municipalities, some of which still have a village feel. Everything lying north of the Tagus River is usually deemed to be "Grande Lisboa", while the districts that fall south of the river are part of Setubal District. Some 30 capital cities competed for the title of European Green Capital. The jury based their decision on sustainability, and felt that Lisbon could be an inspiration and role-model for many other cities in the European Union. The Portuguese capital showed that economic growth and sustainability can be achieved simultaneously, according to the panel experts.
Around 1.3 million people reside in the city, the largest in the country. Prices for residential real estate in Lisbon have surged in recent years. Home buyers and investors are increasingly having to look at the more rustic parts of Greater Lisbon or move out to the coastal areas in search of property. Cascais lies some 19 miles or 30 kilometres to the west of Lisbon, and is both a town and municipality. It is one of the richest municipalities in Portugal, and property here is much sought after. Around 210,000 residents live in Cascais year-round, a town that started out as a fishing village, and later became a seaside resort for the country's Royal Family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Located on the Portuguese Riviera, or Estorial coast, Cascais is well connected by road (the A5 Lisbon to Cascais motorway) and train. Lisbon Airport is the nearest airport. Apart from its beautiful location, Cascais has a number of tourist attractions to offer. The Count of Castro Guimarães Palace for example, or the Museum of the Sea, which is dedicated to the town's maritime history. Cascais also boasts various charming parks, ten stunning golf courses and a coastline that offers water sports enthusiasts any number of surf locations. Cascais marina offers yacht owners 650 berths. The marina has hosted many sailing events, since opening in 1999.
Cascais boasts plenty of hotels, and restaurants, as well as its own Museum Quarter, a district also filled with shops and art galleries. The town has a cosmopolitan, sophisticated feel, set against a background of the Sintra Mountains to the north and high cliffs to the west.
The jury naming Lisbon as European Green Capital 2020 stressed in its findings how Greater Lisbon is especially good at sustainable land use, green growth and ecological innovation, climate change adaptation and sustainable urban transport solutions.
It's possible to find two bed apartments in Grande Lisboa, Cascais district, for around 170,000 euros. Small semi-detached villas and town-houses with three and four bedrooms start at ca. 390,000 euros (3 to 4 bed). Expect to pay around 500,000 euros for Cascais penthouses and modern four-bed detached villas with their own plot of land at the affordable end of the Cascais property market.
