Estoril

The Basics

The seaside town of Estoril is most commonly visited as part of a day trip to Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to iconic attractions such as Pena National Palace and the National Palace of Sintra (Palácio Nacional de Sintra). These tours, which allow you to skip the stress of navigating winding mountain roads, typically include convenient hotel pickup and drop-off and a photo stop at Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Estoril is a must-visit for fans of surfing and James Bond.

• Water sports such as fishing, windsurfing, diving, and waterskiing are on offer on the beach.

• Estoril is also home to seven 18-hole golf courses.

How to Get There

From central Lisbon, you can reach Estoril by car in around 30–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Traveling by train takes around two hours and involves changing trains, so most travelers opt for a sightseeing tour that includes round-trip transfers.

When to Get There

The best time to visit Estoril is during June and July, when the weather is warm and sunny but hasn’t yet reached the scorching temperatures of the peak summer months. Plus, these months come with far less crowds.

Surfing in Estoril

Like much of Portugal’s Atlantic coastline, Estoril is a hot spot for surfing. Beginner and expert surfers alike flock to Costa Estoril to ride its thrilling swells. If you’re surfing for the first time, opt for a small-group surf lesson that allows you to master the basics and receive personalized attention from an instructor.

Ways to explore

Depending on your tastes, Estoril is either an easy day trip from Lisbon or an idyllic home base for a Portuguese vacation, with days spent surfing, lunching, and playing golf by the beach and nights enjoyed at the casino.

Many visitors stop by Estoril as part of a guided day trip to Sintra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the Pena National Palace. These tours save you the stress of navigating by providing transportation from Lisbon, and they often include extra stops along the coast to the resort city of Cascais and Cabo da Roca, Europe’s westernmost point.

Accessibility

Group tours of Estoril are not typically wheelchair accessible, but you may be able to arrange an accessible private tour.

Age limits

None (except for Casino Estoril, where you must be 18 or older to enter)

What to pack

If summer beach time is on your itinerary, bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.

What to wear

Since most tours of Estoril, Sintra, and Cascais involve lots of outdoor walking, dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.

Not allowed

Rules vary by tour, but most don’t allow pets or smoking.

Address

Located on the coast of Portugal, Estoril is within a 30-minute drive of both Sintra and Lisbon, making it a popular stop on tours of the area’s palaces and waterside attractions. If you’re not joining a guided excursion with included transportation, the best option is to drive, take a taxi, or ride the train from Lisbon.

Driving

From Lisbon, take A5 west for about 14 miles (23 kilometers) and get off at exit 9 for Estoril. The journey takes roughly half an hour.

Public transportation

From Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station, take the train to Cascais and get off at Estoril; the ride takes about 35 minutes, and the Estoril station is right by the popular Tamariz Beach.

Best times to visit

For beach sun time, go during the day. Otherwise, aim to visit Estoril in the evening—Casino Estoril opens at 3pm, and the beach is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.

Best days to visit

Estoril’s beaches get extra crowded on weekends, so head there from Monday–Friday for a more relaxing experience.

Best months to visit

While Estoril is busy in the summer, this is the best time to enjoy its beaches and waterfront activities. For warm weather and fewer crowds, visit in May or September.

Special events

The resort town’s best-known events are the Millennium Estoril Open tennis tournament from April–May and the Estoril Classics car show and race in October.