Estoril - Estoril visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Estoril' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Distrito Lisboa.

Lying in the middle of the Estoril Coast on the Portuguese Riviera, Estoril has long been a playground of the rich and famous. The Estoril Coast, facing south ans stretching from Carcavelos to Guincho is blessed with many sandy beaches, lined with luxury hotels and holiday villas. This stretch of coastline contains 8 beaches and is surrounded by no less than 6 golf courses.

Estoril itself was a former fishing village, occupied since at least Roman times. Since the 20th century, the focus turned to tourism with many royalty and rich coming to Estoril to relax in pleasure pursuits. It is now marketed as the crown of Portuguese tourism, known for the exclusive, luxury hotels and villas, golf clubs, the Estoril Casino and exclusive golf courses. Estoril also used to host Formula One races on the Estoril Circuit.

Estoril Coast Beaches: Estoril Coast is lined by numerous beaches, the most popular of which are listed below:

• Cascais Beaches - small beaches of Praia da Rainha and Praia da Conceição, lined with cafes and many yachts on the water.
• Praia do Tamariz - next to Estoril Casino and gardens. Lined by luxry hotels and beautiful mansions.
• Torre Beach - lies between the fortress and Ocean Swimming Pool.
• Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman's beach) - Near Estoril Town Hall, still used by fishermen for landing catches.
• Carcavelos Beach - 1km of sandy beach next to St. Julian of Barra Fortress. Popular with surfers and lined with beach bars. One of the most popular beaches on the Estoril Coast.
• Parede Beach - Blue flag beach with disability access and high iodine content in the water.
• S. Pedro and S. João do Estoril Beaches - small beaches lining the cliffs, popular with surfers.

Estoril Sights and Attractions: Estoril and Cascais have numerous important historical buildings alongside the modern hotels and restaurants:

• Estoril Town Hall - situated near the center of Estoril and the Fisherman's beach (Praia dos Pescadores), noted for ancient tiles.
• Fort of Cascais - also known as The Citadel, built in the 16th century on the Bay of Cascais as part of the Tagus estuary defences to protect Lisbon. It contains an artillery museum.
• Assunção Church - Estoril parish church dating from the 16th century with ancient, carved, wooden altar and various works of art from the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Igreja dos Navegantes (Church of the Navigators) - octagonal Baroque church with old paintings of St. Pedro Gonçalves and Our Lady of the Navigators, the patron saints of sailors.
• Igreja Santo António do Estoril (St. Anthony's Church) - 16th century Barque church damaged by earthquake in 1755 and fire in 1927.
• Palace of the Marquis of Pombal - 18th century manor house built for Sebastião José de Carvalho and Mello in Oeiras.
• Bugio Fort - circular fort on a small island in the Tagus Estuary, previously called Saint Lawrence of the Dry Head.
• Estoril Casino and Gardens - Estoril boasts one of the largest casinos in Europe.
• Castro Guimarães Museum (Municipal Museum) - the museum occupies the former palace of Counts of Castro Guimarães in one of the most sought after parts of the town. Known for unusual architecture and full of archaeology and works of art.
• Museum of the Sea - museum containing exhibits on the natural history of the sea and archaeology and history of shipwrecks from the Estoril Coast. The museum also contains a 16th century map of the Estoril Coast.
• Monte Esotril - picturesque village built on a hill behind Estoril, contains the Verdades-Faria Museum with a collection of musical instruments.
• Estoril Crafts Fair - held in July and August just behind Estoril Casino selling top quality works of art and craft from all over Portugal.
• Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) - spectacular lookout point with a small, daily, craft market.

Flight: Lisbon International Airport (LIS).
Road: Estoril is about 26km from Lisbon on the A6.
Train: São João do Estoril, Estoril, Monte Estoril, Cascais stations.