Car Hire Estoril - Mini guide to Estoril

The chic resort of Estoril, with its beautiful beaches along the Portuguese Riviera, has long been famous for its association with royalty.

The main attraction in Estoril is the beach. Here, some of the most fashionable people in Europe sun themselves along the Praia Estoril Tamariz. The beach is comprised of soft sand; however, the sea is not recommended for swimming in, as it is heavily polluted. The other drawcards are the sumptuous Palacio Hotel and the huge casino, which offers various gambling and entertainment options.

The Parque Estoril, in the centre of town, makes for a pleasant walk. The well-kept landscape is best appreciated at night, when you can stroll amid sub-tropical floodlit vegetation. The palm trees studding the grounds have prompted many to call it ‘a corner of Africa’. At the top of the park sits the casino, which offers gambling, international floor shows, dancing and movies.

July and August are good months for shopping, as the resort sponsors an open-air handicrafts fair, the Feira do Artesanato, near the casino. The stalls are noted for their ceramics, which come from all over Portugal. Much of the entertainment revolves around the casino and its noted cabaret shows. The Old Fort, which has been converted into a club, is also a popular destination.

An excursion should be made to Lisbon, which is 40 minutes away by car. Here you can wander the twisting, winding streets of one of Europe’s most picturesque capital cities. Roam around the slightly seedy Alfama, or visit the monuments to the seafaring greats of the past at Belem.

By car from Lisbon, head west on route 6, but try to avoid driving on weekends, when there's considerable traffic. Electric trains leave from the waterfront Cais do Sodré Station in Lisbon. Departures are every 20 minutes for the half-hour trip, and trains operate daily from 07:00 to 01:00. From Sintra, about a dozen buses a day make the one-hour run.