Once a holiday destination for the members of the royal family and for celebrities, today Estoril keeps its reputation of being a chic destination, although it is simpler and less touristic than Cascais.
Its success started at the beginning of the twenty century, when its location near the sea and the presence of hot springs attracted an increasing number of wealthy tourists who built elegant palaces and gardens with palm. The symbols of the golden years of Estoril are its Casino and the park.
Among the famous visitors of Estoril there was the king of Spain D. Juan Carlos, who came here on a voluntary exile, the writer Ian Fleming, who gave birth to the character of James Bond, and numerous intellectuals, politicians, artists, and Jewish traders running away from the nazi regime during World War II.
Although there are still some traces of the luxury of its glorious past, today Estoril is a beach destination with beautiful beaches and a good offer of tourist services, mostly suitable for families, couples, or elders.
The main attraction of the city is the historic Casino Estoril, whose fame is indissolubly connected to James Bond: here Ian Fleming found the inspiration to give birth to Casino Royal, the first story featuring the secret agent who later inspired a series of successful movies.
The casino was used as a location to shoot another James Bond movie, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”.
Today Estoril’s casino is one of the most important of Europe, a real entertainment temple featuring slot machines, roulettes, and poker tables, as well as a huge congress room capable of seating up to 1000 people, a smaller auditorium with 350 seats, an art gallery with permanent paintings and sculpture exhibitions, a very elegant Chinese restaurant, a contemporary Portuguese restaurant, a bar, and an elegant cocktail lounge.
Besides the casino, the other main attractions of Estoril confirm its exclusivity, such as the golf courses and the race track in honor to Fernando Pires da Silva; the circuit is also used for the Moto GP championship and minor events.
If you want to feel like a star from the past, you don’ need to play golf or to run on a motorbike; you will just have to walk along the promenade, which takes all the way to Cascais.
Estoril is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area: in addition to Cascais and Lisbon, you can easily reach Sintra and the national park around it.
If you are staying in Lisbon, think about enjoying a one day – or longer – tour to Estoril from Lisbon.
The fame of Estoril is not connected only to James Bond; the majestic beaches along the Estoril coast played an important role in building the success of this destination.
The most popular beach is the one of Tamariz, which is suitable also for families traveling with young kids.
We recommend to rent a car and reach the famous Praia do Quincho, one of the most famous beaches of Portugal. Popular among surfers and windsurfers, it deserves a visit for its breathtaking beauty; golden sand dunes stand out on the green background of Serra do Sintra, while the powerful waves of the ocean crash on the shore. You can’t miss it!
Traveling to the east, going towards Lisbon, you will find a coast filled with beaches, including Praia de Carcavelos and Praia de São Pedro, which are very popular among the citizens of Lisbon who try to find some relief from the heat of summer time.
Thanks to its hotel tradition, Estoril offers a wide choice of hotels that meet all types of budgets. If you want to experience the luxury of the past, you can choose one of the many 4 starts hotel in the city, which are usually located inside luxurious villas featuring a wellness center and a pool.
If you are traveling with their family, we recommend to choose an apartment enjoy more freedom, or a 3 stars hotel featuring all the comforts. Of course there are some cheaper options such as b&bs and hostels for travelers on a budget.
Estoril is located along the coastal road that connects Lisbon to Cascais, a scenic parallel way to the Tagus river. We recommend to rent a car in order to enjoy the view along the way, and maybe to stop to take some pictures. It takes about 20-30 minutes drive.
Otherwise, it is possible to reach Estoril on a direct train from Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon.
What's the weather at Estoril? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Estoril for the next few days.
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