Estoril (Portugal) - this is the name of fregesia, or, in our opinion, the area surrounding the resort city of the same name. There is not only the sea and beaches, but also many antiquities, churches and narrow streets. Estoril is a trendy European resort with plenty of entertainment, shops and authentic taverns. It is one of the centers of the Portuguese tourism industry, and therefore there is also a myriad of discos and nightclubs, a huge casino and a race track. And the hotels of this town will suit both a budget backpacker and a lover of luxurious life - depending on what you book for yourself. Estoril, together with the neighboring city of Cascais, form one resort area. Writers, actors, politicians and even the Queen of England love to spend time here.
How to get there
The Estoril resort in Portugal is located near the capital of the country, only 15 kilometers away. Therefore, getting to it is not difficult. First you arrive or arrive in Lisbon. And then take a bus or train and get to Estoril. The resort is on the beachbays of Kaikash. This is the so-called Portuguese Riviera. Both buses and trains go there frequently. It costs 2 to 4 euros one way. The cheapest way is to take the free 1 City Center shuttle from the airport to Lisbon Cais do Sodre train station. These buses leave every 20 minutes from terminals T1 and T2. But the town of Estoril itself is small, with an area of only nine square kilometers. Therefore, you will already be moving around the resort on foot or by taxi, because there is no public transport.
History of Estoril
People have been living in these places since the second millennium BC, so there are many ancient ruins on the territory of the city, including the remains of rich Roman villas. After the decline of the Middle Ages, Estoril (Portugal) from a small village on the coast turned into an important trading port during the Renaissance, when famous geographical discoveries were made. Since it had to be defended, now the city fortress, which for many centuries protected the settlement from external enemies, is among the historical sites. It was constantly rebuilt until by the 16th century it turned into a mighty citadel, which is now considered one of the classic monuments of the defensive architecture of the Renaissance. If you are a fan of this kind of ruins, then in the vicinity of the city you can see other fortresses of a smaller scale.
History of the resort
But they began to come here to relax not so long ago. Only in the nineteenth century the city gained its modern look and glory.world resort. Luxurious villas began to be built on the ocean shore, and soon not only we althy aristocrats, but also members of the royal families of Europe rushed to Estoril to rest. For some reason, deposed monarchs and exiled nobles loved the resort, and experienced another migration after World War II, when it was used primarily to move to America.
Estoril (Portugal): Attractions
Tourists go to this sunniest city for the sake of the sea and aristocratic relaxation. You can sunbathe here all year round, but the high season falls on the summer months, when ocean water, which is usually colder than sea water, warms up to at least 20 degrees. But winter tourists devote more time to sightseeing. Photos of Estoril (Portugal) are very picturesque. Of the natural beauties, travelers call the most curious a sheer failure in the rock, which is very interesting to contemplate from the sea, especially in cloudy weather. This is Boca de Inferno, or Hell's Mouth. There are also many churches in the city. The most popular object is the temple of St. Anthony, a native of Lisbon. Built in the 16th century, it has been repeatedly restored after earthquakes and other disasters experienced by Portugal. The baroque façade is undamaged and is authentic. It is worth visiting several local museums - they are quite interesting for travelers. This is, first of all, ethnographic, marine and exposition of rare cars.
Festivals, entertainment, sports
If you are an outdoor enthusiast, then Estoril (Portugal) is perfect for you. Tennis, basketball, volleyball, horse riding, water sports, golf, eight water parks - all this is at your disposal. In addition, various international competitions often take place here. So, every spring in Estoril, an open international tennis championship is held (in recent years, only among men). There are many gambling establishments in the city. But even if you are not a fan of such a pastime, be sure to visit the Estoril casino. It, like the surrounding park, belongs to the top ten local attractions. To visit it, you must have a passport, and men must follow the dress code - come in a tie. You can watch gala concerts there. Estoril Casino was loved by Ian Fleming. As a result of visiting this institution, he had many ideas for James Bond novels. In November, the town hosts an international film festival. Estoril is also very popular with real gourmets, although the restaurants here are not cheap.
Hotels in Estoril (Portugal)
The most elite resort hotels are located in its center. Many are also located in close proximity to the famous golden beaches - Tamariza, Moitos, San Pedro and Carcavelos. The hotel, which European monarchs prefer for their holidays, is known throughout Portugal. It's called the Palacio Estorial. There is the most luxurious service, well-trained staff, and in general everything is onroyal level. Other decent resort hotels, such as Eden, Club de Lago, Vila Gale, usually have several pools, shops, parking lots and even their own casinos. The Internet is usually available from all rooms of such hotels. But there are also ordinary hotels, and even budget hostels. After all, despite the fact that the resort of Estoril (Portugal) has the glory of an aristocratic, ordinary and even not very rich people come here.
