Curiosity, an occupational ailment of traveler, brought us to the other side of Tagus. By chance, a ferry brought us to Cacilhas. Some say that true Lisboetas (a.k.a. the natives of Lisbon) may never ever cross the river in their lifetime. True or false, it’s their choice. I am glad that we did.
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0546.jpg)
From the other side of the river
Cacilhas, the tiny speck on a map where ferry brought us, is mostly overlooked by travel guides. They would laconically advise an adventurous tourist to eat lunch at a local seafood place and trot over along the river toward the famous National Shrine of Christ the King. Good for them.
![Up and down](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Untitled-design-3.jpg)
In truth, it’s laughable to think about it as boring even for a second. As small as it is, Cacilhas is a fascinating place.
![Cacilhas dogs](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0504.jpg)
An ode to Cacilhas
∗ A wag of a tail. A friendly smile.
∗ A field of flowers. A child’s laugh.
∗ A submarine and a frigate. A church that survived an epic earthquake. An ancient castle encased in soulless concrete.
∗ A cradle of the local labor movement.
∗ An old lady carrying shopping bags while climbing steep stairs.
∗ A fisherman who destined longingly looking across the river. The river that is a source of life and sorrow.
∗ The land that is immune to time.
∗ A Guinness world record. An abandoned warehouse.
∗ A tiny flower growing between cold stones.
![A blue church in Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0478.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0533.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0569.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0538.jpg)
![Cacilhas walkabout](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0548.jpg)
![Cacilhas walkabout](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0512.jpg)
![Cacilhas walkabout](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0539.jpg)
![Cacilhas graffiti](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0553-1.jpg)
Street art and graffiti are prominently present in Cacilhas. We found some outstanding murals and thought-provoking pieces there.
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0563.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0508.jpg)
If ruins could talk
I always was a sucker for good old ruins and urban decay photography. Cacilhas has some interesting old warehouses and abandoned buildings worthy further exploration.
![Abandoned buildings of Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0679.jpg)
![Abandoned warehouse on the river](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0694.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0633.jpg)
This building looked abandoned but when I tried to get further inside a ferocious barking warned me to stop.
![Abandoned warehouses](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0643.jpg)
![Evening on the river](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0651.jpg)
![Old walls](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0641.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0499.jpg)
Up inside the town, there are plenty of abandoned buildings too
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0493.jpg)
![Lisbon from across the river](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0578.jpg)
![Historical buildings of Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0567.jpg)
![Old door](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0571.jpg)
![Eating is important to the end](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0593.jpg)
![Cacilhas Ferry plaza](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0697.jpg)
![Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_0458.jpg)
Likely, you landed here because you are interested in Portugal. There is more to read about my favorite country here:
Sines In One Day: Come For The Lunch, Stay For The History
Almourol Castle: Totally Dragonless… Or Is It?
Beauty, Simplicity, and Imperfection
Livraria Lello, A Beautiful Casualty Of Mass Tourism
Sagres Fortress (Fortaleza De Sagres)
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![Unseen Cacilhas](https://travelingbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Photo-Essay_-Unseen-Cacilhas.jpg)
Excellent shots Elena. I hear you on the bright blue sky. I am almost blinded cyber looking at some of these snaps 😉
Thank you, Ryan 🙂 I forgot how blue skies were there, much better than washout grayness that settled over my window now. Cheers!
Fascinating, I had no idea such a cool island was so close to Lisbon, hopefully we will visit again soon and I would love to explore this village, thank you for sharing!
You are welcome 🙂
Portugal has so many hidden gems! We didn’t get to Cacilhas when we visited. It looks worthwhile to add to our list for next time. I really like how it also has murals. It was one of my favorite things to look for when we visited.
Thank you, Christina. Cacilhas definitely worth a visit if you are interested in street art 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us, Elena! I love the gate to nowhere and the stairs to nowhere: you have a good eye to pick it, I don’t know if I would have thought about taking a photo of it 😉 White/Blue combination would make me think of Greece more than Portugal, but it’s good to shake a bit the cliches 😉
Thank you, Eloise. I am happy that you liked some photos 🙂
Your pictures are striking! Cacilhas doesn’t look like a typical tourist destination, but it has a lot of beauty. I particularly like the doors and the abandoned warehouses with the water in the background.
Thank you, Natalie 🙂
You never know what beauties are hidden right across the river from a big town, do you? I discovered an amazing non-touristy part of Havana too, just by crossing the river into the community of Regla. I love exploring places where tourists don’t even think about going. I love the picture with the submarine. How cool is that, seeing a real submarine? 🙂
Thank you, Joanna. It was the first time ever I looked closely at the real submarine. Super cool!
What an endlessly fascinating place … Bet you are glad you decided to cross the river after all, hey?
Thank you, Ronny. Oh, yes! It was an amazing experience 🙂