Cascais & Estoril

The train journey from Cais do Sodré station to the swanky blue-blooded retreat of Estoril (and then Cascais) takes visitors right into lush ornamental garden parks leading down to golden beaches. At the top end of the main park is the Estoril Casino, which may have been the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, now offering a choice of roulette, fruit machines, restaurants, shops, art galleries and nightly live shows. Estoril’s main beach, Praia do Tamariz, also has a fee paying public swimming pool overlooking the sea.

Estoril was once a spies’ nest where secret agents, authors and exiled royalty from both sides rubbed shoulders in this luscious playground for the rich during World War II. Today the area boasts some of the world’s top-rated golf courses and hosts annual Formula One and the tennis championships. A little further along the coast is Cascais, an upscale fishing village home to some of Portugal’s wealthiest individuals and poshest hotels.  Still charming thanks to its coastal location, relaxed atmosphere and healthy mix of local and ex-pat residents, Cascais is not only a place for the jet set but attracts weekenders from Lisbon, surfers, the yachting crowd and many overseas tourists.