Travel Eye on Estoril (Portugal)

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Overview:

Just 16 miles (26km) west of Lisbon is the trendy resort town of Estoril, a cosmopolitan holiday Mecca with a promenade along three narrow coarse sandy beaches, luxury hotels, championship golf courses and some excellent restaurants. During World War II exiled royalty from all over Europe took refuge here and whiled away their time gambling in the town's casino, which is one of the largest in Europe. The town is also known for its summer handicraft fair, and the nearby Estoril Autodrome, which draws motor racing enthusiasts.

Locality:

Estoril is located one third of the way up Portugal's W (Atlantic) coast, 16 mls W of Lisbon, 8 mls S of Sintra and 19 mls W of Lisbon International Airport. It is set on the S-facing Estoril coast, on Cascais Bay. The resort rises abruptly into the surrounding residential foothills of the partly forested Sintra Mountains (Serra de Sintra).

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Estoril is very much an upmarket resort whose casino is a particular draw for those with money to burn. The area is busy at weekends and in the summer with residents of Lisbon; popular with many nationalities throughout the year. Estoril is also a favourite with golfers. Estoril attracts spectator-sports enthusiasts owing to the number of major golf and tennis tournaments and motor racing events held here. Many business travellers and incentive groups. Little of interest for families or young party-minded folk.

Accommodation consists of several luxury establishments and a reasonable selection of middlemarket properties dotted around town. Limited number of budget options, with just a handful of pensions. Some self-catering choices, with several private apartments. Busy and expensive at the height of summer; wider availability and discounts during the winter.

Shopping is limited in Estoril, mainly confined to minimarket grocers serving the locals with a few craft shops and vendors along the beachfront. Souvenirs are available, but for a real shopping spree visitors have to head for the large Cascais Shopping Centre a few miles away.

Estoril has a modest selection of restaurants serving both local dishes and international fare, but most tend to be rather upmarket and expensive. There are some laid back cafes around the casino, and casual eateries along the promenade. For a superb dining experience one cannot beat the Four Seasons in the Palácio Hotel, Rua do Parque, where the gourmet menu extends from sole meneure to wild boar cutlets. An excellent fish restaurant, next to the casino, is the Costa do Estoril, a good place to indulge in the Portuguese favourite codfish.

The main drawcard after dark in Estoril is the famed casino, which not only caters for gamblers and slot machine addicts, but also offers a flashy cabaret show. When it comes to clubs and pubs, the options are better in nearby Cascais, but there is usually some youthful action going on at the Forte Velho, a club set inside an historic fort.

Estoril is not short on things to do. It is particularly well equipped for golfers, and therefore draws plenty of same, who enjoy the old, established championship golf course. Tennis has also put Estoril on the map, its annual Tennis Open in April having ensured that the local tennis club offers plenty of state of the art courts which guests can enjoy. There is a music museum to browse through in the town, and boat excursions on offer. When Estoril's attractions start to pall visitors can enjoy a walk along the esplanade to Cascais to see what is happening in this lively neighbouring resort.

Estoril is a sedate seaside destination, not suited to children or young party animals.