The Costa do Estoril is located in the west of the Portuguese capital Lisbon and is considered a popular holiday region, where its picturesque sandy beaches invite you to sunbathe, swim and relax. In addition to the beautiful coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, the area around Estoril is also known for the unspoilt landscapes in the interior. The occasionally mountainous landscape is ideal for nature lovers and active travellers who enjoy longer hikes. With the small town of Estoril and the metropolis of Lisbon, culturally interested holidaymakers will also find numerous architectural and historical sights. Typical for the hotels on the Costa do Estoril are luxurious and large resorts directly on the Atlantic Ocean, which are ideal for relaxing holidays. In the smaller communities you will also find charming family-run accommodations.
The Casino Estoril is considered a cultural landmark of the coastal region. Here, guests try their luck at the gaming tables and slot machines, sample regional dishes in the restaurants and experience unforgettable nights on the lively streets and alleys of the city. Estoril is home to about 25,000 inhabitants. The coastal town is also considered the Portuguese centre of motorsport, as the nearby Circuito do Estoril regularly hosts professional races. A visit to the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego is also recommended. The building already impresses with its striking architecture and offers visitors inside a large collection of works by the contemporary painter who once lived and worked here. The art museum Condes de Castro Guimarães is also very popular with culturally interested travellers. In this palace built in the romantic style, visitors have been admiring the numerous antique exhibits and paintings since 1931. The Costa do Estoril is characterised by the dreamlike beaches of white sand. Specially the Praia do Tamariz, the Poça Beach and the Praia de Sao Pedro do Estoril belong to the most beautiful coastal sections of Portugal. Here, beach-loving holidaymakers spend relaxing hours, enjoy the sun and cool off while swimming in the sometimes-fresh Atlantic Ocean.
On the Costa do Estoril you will find many dishes that are typical of the capital Lisbon, since for centuries the inhabitants of the metropolis spent their holidays here. The specialities from the sea are very popular with the locals and holidaymakers alike. These include the bacalhau à brás (stockfish and potato gratin), the fish stew caldeirada à fragateira with tomatoes and the differently stuffed squid lulas recheadas. For those who prefer something heartier, try the bean stew with sausage, the feijoada à portuguesa, which is considered the national dish of the country. Very tasty are also the beef tenderloin Bife à Marrare in garlic cream sauce and the kid meat Cabrito, which is traditionally prepared with fresh herbs. An absolute delicacy are the mussels in a sauce of lemon and garlic, while rice with duck is a popular local dish. For dessert or as a sweet snack for in-between, the sponge cake Pão de ló and the king cake Bolo Rei with dried fruits are popular. The Costa do Estoril is also considered a paradise for wine lovers, who have a wide selection of fine wines here. The house wine Vinho da casa is very tasty and usually very cheap. The sparkling Vinho verde is usually drunk well chilled and is especially popular in summer.
The southern location ensures that even the winters on the Costa do Estoril are pleasantly mild. Around the turn of the year, holidaymakers can look forward to temperatures of up to 15°C. In addition, the sun shines almost daily for several hours, so that the conditions are ideal for hiking, sightseeing or trips to Lisbon. In spring and autumn, maximum values of more than 20°C can already be expected. In these seasons it is also much drier than in winter. With the appropriate wetsuits, surfing is possible in April and into October without any problems. In the high summer months of July and August the thermometer on the Costa do Estoril climbs to around 30°C. With about ten hours of sunshine per day and the approx. 20°C warm water in the Atlantic Ocean, even the hottest season is perfect for a relaxing beach holiday.
Throughout the year, direct connections to Lisbon are offered from most major German airports. After the approximately three-hour flight to the capital of Portugal, it usually only takes 30 minutes by taxi to reach the hotel on the Costa do Estoril. In addition, a regional train runs between Lisbon and Estoril.