Top 15 Things To Do In Estoril, Portugal

1. Discover the rich history of Portugal’s music at the Museum of Portuguese Music

Portugal may not be a big name in the musical scene, but this is not an indication that it is musically stunted. A good place to understand the history and the depth of the country’s music is at the Museum of Portuguese Music. The museum is housed in the Casa Verdades de Faria, and though small in size, it has an incredible collection of Portuguese musical instruments and a music documentation center. During your visit, you will learn about the evolution of music in the region, including the history of their musical instruments. If you are lucky enough, you may encounter an ongoing recital.

Museum of Portuguese Music

Address: Av. Sabóia 1146, 2765-420 Estoril, Portugal

Website: Museum of Portuguese Music

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

2. Spend an evening of gambling at Casino Estoril

The beauty of gambling is that you not only get to challenge yourself when you place your bets, but you also experience the thrill of having the chance to win an insane amount of money if Lady Luck so wishes to smile upon you. When you are in town and you feel like gambling the evening away, then Casino Estoril is the place to be. It is not just one of the gambling destinations here, but it is also one of the biggest working casinos in all of Europe. There are only subtle hints of the quality of gambling, as well as the type of fun that awaits you here.

Casino Estoril

Address: Av. Dr. Stlanley Ho, 2765-190 Estoril, Portugal

Website: Casino Estoril

Opening hours: 3pm - 3am (daily)

3. Enjoy the sun, sand, and waters of Portugal at Tamariz Beach

Tamariz Beach is a beautiful and picturesque place worth visiting when in Estoril. The beach is a mere 30-minute drive from central Lisbon, boasting easy access to those who don’t want to venture too far from the city center. It is an expansive, golden sandy beach, with rock pools and crystal clear waters that entice you to take a dip at any time of the day. There are also numerous local eateries around for you to fill up your tummy after enjoying the sun, sand, and seas of Lisbon.

Tamariz Beach

Address: Av. Marginal, Estoril, Portugal

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Let kids explore Marine life at Environmental Center Salt Rock

Environmental Center Salt Rock is an environmental conservation area that houses the first zero-energy building in the country. Located against the backdrop of the beautiful Cascais beach, it is an attraction with a myriad of fun activities for visitors of all ages. Children can increase their interest in biology and marine life by looking at the various marine species with the help of the interactive displays, while adults can join the kids in the learning process or simply sit back and enjoy a drink while they admire a beautiful view of the sea and the beach.

Environmental Center Salt Rock

Address: Av. Marginal 4090A, 2765-583 Estoril, Portugal

Website: Environmental Center Salt Rock

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

5. Recall the country's past at Memorial Space of Exiles Estoril

Portugal bore the brunt of most of the wars that marred Europe during the 20th century, and it is at Memorial Space of the Exiles, Estoril, where you can get a grim picture of how things were during that time. The memorial preserves the memories of those who found refuge in Estoril and Cascais during the war. There is a “post office” on the top floor where messages between the exiles and their relatives were sent and received. It also has a permanent exhibition of various objects, documents, and photographs obtained during those very difficult times.

Memorial Space of Exiles Estoril

Address: Av. Marginal 7152 B, 2765-192 São João do Estoril

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

6. Explore the rock pools when the tide is out at Poca Beach

Poca Beach is a popular destination with great access and a wide promenade. The beach is mostly sandy, though the middle section is a bit rocky, ruling out the possibility of paddling. However, with all the rocks come interesting rock pools that are an absolute beauty to explore when the tide is out. You can have a fun time on the rock pools while you watch out for the tide.

Poca Beach

Address: N6 Highway, Estoril, Cascais, Portugal

Opening hours: 10am - 11pm (daily)

Price: Free

7. Take a walk down memory lane at Church of St. Antony of Estoril

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Saint Antony is the patron saint of Portugal, and this church is dedicated to him. It was constructed in the early 1500s, and though it has been rebuilt several times after facing a number of natural disasters, it still retains its charm and is considered a leading attraction in Lisbon. The exterior façade, with the baroque styling, makes it look like a grand residence and not a religious building. Other than its size, many visitors love this church because it is the birthplace of Saint Antony.

Church of St. Antony of Estoril

Address: Av. Marginal 245, Estoril, Cascais 2765-245, Portugal

8. Appreciate the artistic diversity in Portugal at Estoril Handicraft Fair

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You may miss this fair if you are not visiting Portugal in September. It is one of the oldest fairs in the country, where local artisans and creatives from the neighboring regions manufacture and sell their wares in full glare of the public. It is not only a chance to view some of the finest arts and crafts but also to see and learn how they are made. In addition to the exhibitions, you will be treated to exciting performances by traditional folk dancers and have the chance to sample lots of traditional Portuguese cuisines.

Estoril Handicraft Fair

Address: Avenida Amaral 1, Estoril, Cascais 2765-192, Portugal

9. Gaze into deep blue waters at Azarujinha Beach

This is a diminutive beach in a natural setting that makes it look like an amphitheater on the cliffs. From the top, several natural stairways lead down to the sands and rocks below. Its geographical location makes it accessible only by foot, and it doesn’t allow for water sports activities. But while you’re here, you can sit on the cliff and get lost in thought as you stare into the expansive sea, with the sound of the waves crashing at the bottom of the cliff.

Azarujinha Beach

Address: EN6 - Estrada Marginal, São João do Estoril, Estoril, Cascais, Portugal

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

10. Tour Chalet Barros

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A glance at Chalet Barros will remind you of the many medieval castles in England and Scotland. It is one of the oldest castles in Portugal, and although the waters normally hit very high on the walls during high tide, it remains strong and steady. On the top floor is a restaurant where you can sit and grab a cold drink while you watch the sea and observe the flurry of beach activities taking place below.

Chalet Barros

Address: Estoril, Cascais 2765-289, Portugal

11. Relish evening romantic walks along Coastal Path and Promenade

The Cascais-Estoril promenade is a whopping 3-km (1.7-mi) walk that starts at the fishing town of Cascais and terminates at the small village of Joao do Estoril. The walk is along the sea wall and other sea defenses, including rock outcrops on the coastline. Since the promenade is flat, visitors of all ages and abilities will find it easy to walk. Along the way, you will be treated to beautiful sights of the sea and a few historical buildings. There are also lots of outdoor cafes where you can stop for a bite and catch your breath before you continue on.

12. Enjoy great seafood and ambiance at Miguel Laffan at Atlantico Bar & Restaurant

Fresh seafood along with good lighting and ambiance are some of the characteristics that come to mind when you think about Miguel Laffan at Atlantic Bar & Restaurant. This eatery is very homely and one of the best places to check out when you want to sample the best of Portugal’s seafood. Whether you are looking for shrimp risotto or roasted scallops, or maybe you want to have a taste of sea bass - everything here, from the food to the service, is perfection.

Miguel Laffan at Atlantico Bar & Restaurant

Address: Av. Marginal 8023, 2765-249 Estoril, Portugal

Opening hours: Sat: 12:30pm - 3:30pm, 7:30pm - 10:30pm; Sun - Fri: 12:30pm - 3:30pm, 7pm - 10:30pm

13. Dance the night away at Jezebel Night Clubs

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Resort towns are known to have super-vibrant night scenes and Estoril is no exception. The best place to have a good experience of the nightlife in this town is at Jezebel Night Club. It is a lively place frequented by both locals and visitors, where music and alcohol never stops. If you are looking to interact with more locals, then you will be pleased with your experience at this night club.

Jezebel Night Clubs

Address: Praça José Teodoro Dos Santos, (Casino Estoril), Estoril, Lisboa, Portugal

Website: Jezebel Night Clubs

14. Watch a live performance at Cascais Experimental Theater

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If you love live performances, then you can make Cascais Experimental Theater your home for a few hours every evening. The theater usually hosts a variety of performances touching different genres, including plays, skits, dramas, and traditional dances. Visit this place if you want to dig deep into Portuguese culture and their way of life, as demonstrated through various art performances.

Cascais Experimental Theater

Address: Teatro Municipal Mirita Casimiro, Av. Fausto de Figueiredo, 2765-412 Estoril, Portugal

Website: Cascais Experimental Theater

15. Sample the region’s culinary diversity at Zenith Café

Super tasty food, friendly staff, and an incredibly diverse menu await at Zenith Café in Estoril. If you want to dig into the culinary offerings of this town, then this is one of the few places where you can find it. They not only specialize in traditional and contemporary cuisine, but they also serve a wide variety of delicacies from other parts of Europe.

Zenith Café

Address: Av. Sabóia 15, 2765-278 Estoril, Portugal

Opening hours: 7:30am - 8pm (daily)

Enjoy the trappings of a premier resort destination in Portugal

With all the interesting activities and attractions in Estoril, it is no wonder that it is listed among the top resort towns in Portugal. Consider these things to do in Estoril, Portugal and rest assured that you will have fun during your vacation.