Long established as the cosmopolitan holiday destination of the rich and famous on the
Portuguese Riviera,
Estoril has an elegance more commonly attributed to resorts on the Côte d’Azur. Exiled royalty and deposed despots made this their haven during
World War II, alongside spies from both sides. During a stay at the famous Palácio Hotel,
Orson Wells apparently expressed amazement at the number of monarchs also in residence. Only a short train ride out of
Lisbon, Estoril and its neighbour
Cascais also make for an excellent day trip if visiting the capital.
This whole stretch of land at the mouth of the River Tejo abounds with elegant villas, grandiose hotels and quality bars and eateries all situated in a general atmosphere of luxury and tailored gardens. The Hotel Palácio, built in the 1930s, is legendary here and shares a palm lined park with the Casino de Estoril. The largest casino of its kind in Europe, it offers concerts, cabaret, dancing and art exhibitions as well as high class gambling until 3am and was apparently the inspiration behind the James Bond character; indeed it features in the early Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
At the bottom of this elegant, tropical style park,
Tamariz Beach is accessed by an underground pass. Here the fashionable take in the sun and one can walk westwards to Cascais along a very pleasant promenade which passes various small beaches, taking in a drink on the way. Behind the Casino in the summer months of July and August, Estoril also hosts a prestigious crafts fair with artisan works from all over the country, not to mention samples of typical Portuguese fare and folk dancing displays. Other interesting sites in the town include the beautiful architecture of the
Post Office building and the church of Santo António, whose typical azulejos and Baroque façade still remain from the original building despite the damage caused by the 1755 earthquake and a fire in the early 20th century.
Leisure goes hand in hand with relaxing in Estoril. The Tennis Club boasts over 20 courts and is open until the sun sets and not far from the centre, the Clube de Golfe de Estoril was established in the 40s offering a 9-hole course as well as the full 18, and has held various championships. A few kilometres towards the town of Sintra, another superb course, Penha Longa, attracts many top golfers who enjoy the terrain as well as the magnificent views. Between the two lies the famous Estoril Autodrome where enthusiasts of motor racing can visit the track where Formula One races have been held.