Relax in this glamorous piece of the Portuguese Riviera – holidays to the Estoril Coast give sun, sand and surf.

A piece of Portuguese Riviera

Did you know Portugal has its own Riviera? A prime piece of which is the Estoril Coast, sitting on the western coast of the country. It stretches from the fishing town of Cascais in the west, round to the capital of Lisbon in the east. You’ll find traditional Portuguese charm and character, alongside glamorous hotspots and historic architecture. The beaches here are Instagram worthy, too, with golden sands backed by green backdrops and aqua-blue waters.

City living

Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, is the prime spot in the Estoril Coast. Here, you’ve got thousands of years of history with Cathedrals and temples to visit, alongside a vibrant nightlife and all the best local foods. Sintra is a resort town close by, based in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains, and is full of the kind of brightly coloured villas and palaces that you’ll see all over Instagram. You’ll find rural hikes here, too. Estoril itself is a prime tourist destination, home to luxury hotels, beaches and the Casino Estoril, famous for inspiring James Bond’s Casino Royale.

Surf’s up

For real beach living, head to Ericeira – this spot is considered the surfing capital of Europe. In fact, it’s one of only two European spots to be a part of the World Surfing Reserves. The town centre is full of ice-cream parlours and good seafood restaurants, too. Cascais is another coastal resort town known for its golden beaches and history-filled backdrop.

At a Glance

  • Ride a tram through Lisbon city
  • Take to the waves at Europe’s surf capital
  • Place a bet at the movie-famous Casino Estoril

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