Estoril

Estoril is a locality belonging to the Union of Parishes of Cascais and Estoril, with 26,397 inhabitants (2011), located 20 km from Lisbon and has a remarkable history linked to the Portuguese and European monarchy that dates back to the 13th century.

Its privileged location in front of the sea, its beaches, the natural beauty and the temperate climate have always attracted inhabitants that date back to the Paleolithic period (there are even records of dinosaur footprints that lived here). Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and the nobility of different origins helped to highlight Estoril in the context of European history.

Thanks to successive occupations, Estoril has inherited great cultural and architectural wealth, as well as habits and customs that characterize the current experience of this beautiful location.

Its charms are known internationally: the largest Casino in Europe , with all the entertainment, games and shows and the beautiful garden with palm trees that extends to Praia do Tamariz , the International Congress Center , its famous Hotels and Restaurants, the quiet and welcoming beaches with temperate waters, superb villas and palaces, surrounded by gardens and pine forests, etc. There are many attractions that over the years have made Estoril an internationally renowned tourist center!

Estoril, like its locations in Monte Estoril, São João and São Pedro , are one of the regions in Portugal where real estate has increased the most in recent years , thanks to its luxury condominiums, quality tourism and the beauty of its palaces and houses, whose architectural design reflects the multicultural influences of its past.

The Casino do Estoril (1916) and its gardens, which stretch out to the beach of Tamariz, are a brand image that attracts inhabitants, English, Spanish and national tourists. During and after World War II, Estoril received a large number of refugees and exiles, including: Juan de Borbón, Count of Barcelona, Kings Humberto II of Italy, Charles II of Romania and Simeon II of Bulgaria, Regent Miklós Horthy of Hungary and numerous figures from the sporting and cultural scene.

During the time of the Estado Novo, the Fort of Santo António da Barra , in São João do Estoril, was constituted as the vacation residence of António de Oliveira Salazar, then President of the Council of Ministers. Perhaps for this reason, the construction of Avenida Marginal dates from that time, which today constitutes one of the main roads connecting Lisbon and Cascais, through one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Europe.

In its proximity, Estoril has some attractions and points of interest, such as the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, two airports, 4 and 5 star hotels, the largest casino in Europe, a race track and several prestigious golf courses, Tennis and Padel schools, not to mention the golden sand beaches and calm waters.

Estoril has a good transport network and road access:

• The Lisbon-Cascais train line, which will soon undergo a long-awaited renovation, for its usefulness and the beauty of its layout along the coastline, right next to the beaches;
• The Cascais Airport that will be the target of requalification, in what was previously known as Aeródromo de Tires, now receiving international traffic from executive aviation and having a permanent post of the Foreigners and Borders Service, as well as the construction of a new one. connection to the A5 Lisbon-Cascais motorway;
• The A5 motorway connecting Lisbon-Cascais and which places Estoril 15 minutes away from the Capital;
• Avenida Marginal , considered the most beautiful coastal route in Europe, where a car trip between Lisbon and Cascais, next to the sea and the beaches of Costa do Sol, provides a stunning walk;

Pointsof Interest

Monuments:

• Termas do Estoril - The Estoril Wellness Center, right next to the famous Palácio Estoril Hotel, is a thermal center for Health, Wellness, Beauty and Fitness.
• Casa de São Cristóvão - The Casa do Monte Estoril or Palace of Alfredo Silva was built in 1917, it is a palace whose architectural design is inspired by the Joan Baroque style and is the responsibility of the architect Tertuliano Marques. Overlooking Avenida Marginal and Praia das Moitas it is a piece that represents the best of ostentatious residential architecture built at the beginning of the last century.
• Casa-Museu Verdades Faria - The Museum of Portuguese Music, located in Monte Estoril, is a small museum that houses the remains of Michel Giacometti and Fernando Lopes-Graça.It was built by Jorge O'Neill, in 1918, with a project by Arqº Raul Lino;
• Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Livramento - Located in the center of Estoril, it was built in the 18th century.
• São Teodósio Fort, São João Fort or Cadaveira Fort - Located off Avenida Marginal, it integrates a series of maritime fortifications carried out during the Independence Restoration period, in order to protect the entire coast from the Tower of Belém , in Lisbon, to Cabo da Roca, in Sintra, avoiding possible enemy landings.Its construction dates back to 1642, currently in ruins and is in the process of being concessioned and requalified through the Revive Program for private use.
• Fort of Santo António da Barra or Fort Velho
• São Pedro do Estoril Fort or São Pedro Fort or Poça Fort

Beaches

• Bafureira Beach
• Azarujinha Beach
• Poça Beach
• Rata Beach
• Tamariz Beach

Sport

• Autódromo do Estoril - Formerly the Fernanda Pires da Silva Autodrome, but better known as Autódromo do Estoril, it was built in 1972 and has hosted the Portuguese Formula 1 Grand Prix (from 1984 to 1996). The track has 4.36 kilometers and 13 curves.Today it is the stage for presentation events and car fairs, training sessions for international brands, competition events, etc.
• Clube de Golf do Estoril - Created in 1929, this 18-hole golf course has a fascinating history in the national sports scene. Great figures of international golf have passed through here, as well as personalities of the nobility and the international jet set (Count of Barcelona, Duke of Windsor, etc.). It is one of the Clubs with the most wins in the National Men's Inter-Club Championship and is currently one of the Clubs with the most golf players in Portugal.
• Clube de Ténis do Estoril - Founded in 1945, it is one of the most emblematic Tennis Clubs in the national panorama, where more than 350 students practice this sport in their courts.Frequent stage of important National and International events, the main names of international and national tennis played here, and since 2015 it hosts the most important Portuguese event, recognized by the ATP World Tour 250 professional circuit: the Millennium Estoril Open.
• Surfing Clube de Portugal - The oldest surf club in Portugal.
• Petanque Club of São Pedro do Estoril