Tamariz is the most central and most popular beach in Estoril
Located on the Lisbon-Cascais coastline, Estoril was Portugal’s most famous resort area during WWII, when the country was neutral and welcomed exiled royals and aristocrats from around Europe. It was a glamorous place, with the continent’s largest casino, which inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond character and novel “Casino Royale.” Grand hotels were built to accommodate the rich and the famous, and its Tamariz beach illustrated postcards and tourism brochures. That beach, overlooked by a castle that is said to have belonged to the royal family of Monaco, remains popular today, despite having lost the glamour of its golden era.
Estoril is a family-friendly destination
It’s within walking distance (following the promenade) of other fine beaches, all of them clean and supervised by lifeguards during the official bathing season.
These beaches of golden sand attract locals and sun-worshipping tourists, and are also good for children, as they’re sheltered from winds and the waters are usually calm. They have good facilities, including fitness equipment and plenty of spots for eating and drinking with a sea view.
Beaches in Estoril
- Praia do Tamariz
- Praia de São Pedro do Estoril
- Praia da Azarujinha
- Praia das Moitas
- Praia da Poça
Estoril’s most central and popular beach was once the most famous of the entire Lisbon coast. It illustrated most postcards in the mid-20th century and attracted the European elite, who spent their days in the sun around the palatial hotel behind it and their nights at the casino across the road. Today the beach remains one of the most photographed, thanks to the castle above it. It’s one of the most crowded in the region, when the warm temperatures and the easy train access draw teenagers from Lisbon’s suburbs and the many tourists staying at the hotels in the area. Its beachfront bars stay open at night, so it’s a lively place at any time.
Beach for: Drinks in the sun; Instagram
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia do Tamariz Guide.
Because it’s a little away from the center and not on the promenade, this beach is the quietest in Estoril. It’s a destination for locals throughout the year for its seafront restaurant, and doesn’t attract many tourists. Many will tell you that this is the best beach in Estoril, especially when the tide is low and pools are formed between the rocks along the shore. It was one of Portugal’s first surfing beaches, but surfers now prefer Guincho and Carcavelos.
Beach for: Families, Surfers
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia de São Pedro do Estoril Guide.
It’s the first beach of the Estoril-Cascais promenade, so the first one of the “Portuguese Riviera” if you’re coming from Lisbon. It’s almost the private beach of those who live in the condos and villas at the top of the cliff that surrounds it. Families love it for the calm waters (in the summer), and teens often take over much of the small sandy area to play sports. Those who want to sunbathe, often have to spread the towel on a ramp on the western end. This is a good sunbathing spot on windy days, as the cliff offers some shelter.
Beach for: Families, Teenagers
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: No
Bar or Restaurant: No
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia da Azarujinha Guide.
The best beach for families in Estoril borders Cascais (it’s roughly at the middle of the promenade). Its seawater swimming pool is very kid-friendly, as children can safely swim while parents relax in the sun. The pool is on the western end, while the small strip of sand is to the east. In between is fitness equipment, and above it all are mansions and a colossal apartment building.
Beach for: Families
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: Nearby
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia das Moitas Guide.
This rocky beach is found below a 17th-century fort and is frequented by local families. It’s where many go when the neighboring Praia do Tamariz is just too crowded. Outside the bathing season it’s rather quiet, but when there are bigger waves in autumn it’s also a destination for surfers.
Beach for: Families, Surfers
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Yes
Transportation: Train from Lisbon
See the complete Praia da Poça Guide.
Cascais Beaches
The beaches of Cascais are within walking distance of Estoril, following the promenade. For complete guides to those beaches, look here: Cascais Beaches
Oeiras Beaches
Don't overlook the beaches of Oeiras on the Lisbon-Cascais train line, just before you reach Estoril. For complete guides to those beaches, look here: Oeiras Beaches
How to Get to the Beaches in Estoril
Estoril is well connected to Lisbon and Cascais by a regular train service (every 20 minutes), but it’s also within walking distance of the beaches of Cascais, heading north along the promenade (it’s a pleasant 15-to-20-minute walk).
From Lisbon, the train takes 36 minutes to reach Estoril (just 28 minutes in the morning until 10am and between 5pm and 8:30pm). Tamariz Beach is right next to the train station, then all the others except São Pedro do Estoril are connected by the promenade.
If you purchase the Lisboa Card, you may ride the train for free.
Estoril Beach Hotels
Palácio Estoril Hotel
This is the grandest hotel on the Lisbon coast and stands behind the beach of Tamariz, facing the casino. It was built in the 1930s and maintains the elegance of the times when it welcomed Europe's rich and famous. It was here that author Ian Fleming came up with the idea for his James Bond character and the hotel was featured in the film "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service." There's a large swimming pool, a refined restaurant and a wonderful spa.
Intercontinental Estoril
Conveniently located between Praia do Tamariz and Praia das Moitas, this large hotel faces the sea and offers rooms with balconies and views. There are more views from the restaurant and the outdoor pool (there's another pool inside).
Hotel Cascais Miragem
Praia das Moitas is right below this 5-star hotel with an infinity pool, two restaurants, and an excellent spa. Many of the spacious rooms have sea views from their floor-to-ceiling windows.