Estoril in Portugal, the Estoril Coast, is a sprawling urban village, although an upmarket one. It lies in the borough of Cascais which covers the area up to Oeiras. A prominent feature here is the Casino Estoril with its gardens. It has hotels the most famous being the Palacio Estoril. You can find some luxury properties in the Estoril Coast. The small beach in Estoril is the Tamariz. The largest beach in Cascais is in Guincho. There is a promenade where you can walk or jog from Cascais to São João. Monte Estoril is mainly a residential area located in-between Estoril and Cascais. There are some good Monte Estoril and Estoril restaurants.
From São João to Cascais restaurants and cafes can be found on the beach promenade and in the centre. The train journey of about forty minutes from the capital Lisbon Cais do Sodré stops at al stations and Estoril, Monte Estoril and Cascais. You can find some museums such as the Cascais Museum of the Sea, Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum, in Cascais. The Paula Rego Art Gallery is dedicated to the work of this famous artist.
Portugal is located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. It faces the Atlantic ocean on one side and has a border with Spain on the other.
Above View of Estoril Tamariz beach and Cascais from Estoril promenade
Estoril in Portugal is a popular holiday destination with its beaches, golf facilities, restaurants and bars. There is an easy-going pace of life. Cascais was a fishing village but in recent years there has been much development. The more hectic nightlife tends to be in Lisbon with its varied entertainment from nightclubs to holding the major concerts. There are many monuments and museums in Lisbon for you to visit.
Portuguese Monarchy
Portugal’s monarchy began in 1143. The first King was D. Afonso Henriques who conquered the land from the Moors. From 1580 to 1640 Philip II of Spain ruled the country after which it reverted to the Portuguese monarchy. The last monarch King D. Manuel II went into exile when Portugal became a Republic in 1910. From 1932 to 1968 the economist Dr António de Salazar ruled as Prime Minister. Dr Salazar was succeeded by Dr Marcelo Caetano who was overthrown in the 25th April 1974 revolution. From that time we have had elected Presidents and governments making the country a young democracy.
Joining the European Union
Portugal joined the European Union in 1986. It adopted the Euro as its currency in 1999 with the Euro notes and coins introduced in 2002 giving up the previous currency the Escudo.
Above View of Guincho beach through window in stone wall behind Muchaxo Hotel – rustic art!
Apart from the capital Lisboa the main towns are Porto in the north. Coimbra is in the middle and the Algarve with its wide stretches of beaches in the south. Other towns are Aveiro and Braga in the north. Evora and Beja are in the south in the Alentejo area.
The majority in the country are Catholics. The feast days of the saints are celebrated in June (13th St Anthony). In Lisbon and Cascais these are municipal holidays. Porto celebrates St John on 24th June. The Lisbon festivities include processions, grilled sardines served in restaurants and at improvised street tables. In Lisbon there are the ‘Marchas Populars’, a competition of group singing and dancing in traditional dress going through the Avenida da Liberdade.
The Santa Marta Lighthouse in Cascais has instruments on display.