The Portuguese Riviera

We waved goodbye to Oeiras well satisfied. And then we followed the road to Carcavelos, Parede and Estoril. In Carcavelos, we discovered one of the best beaches with warm, therapeutic waters, long and wide, and with fine sand. We followed the coastline along the Avenida Marginal and arrived in Estoril. A cosmopolitan, attractive place. It’s the place where the famous writer Fleming created the mythical character James Bond and where the monarch Juan Carlos I of Spain spent much of his childhood and youth. It is the venue for the Formula 1 races and the Motorbike Grand Prix have been held. This is also where you can see stunning villas and palaces. And it is where seafront restaurants invite you to savour traditional dishes at any time of year, as we experienced at the Gloria Beach Bar Restaurant on Praia das Moitas beach, which provided us with a pleasant lunch and left us wanting to return again and watch a beautiful sunset in the late afternoon, accompanied by a cocktail or a flute of champagne. It is places like this that make great memories.
Right next to the Estoril circuit, on Tamariz beach, we discovered Chalet Barros, a majestic house with the appearance of a castle. This is where some exiles came together during the Second World War. You can also enjoy beautiful sunsets from here. And for those who want to try their luck at roulette, there’s nothing like a visit to the Estoril Casino – the largest in Europe – and maybe even win. In addition, golf – there are some extraordinary courses here – is one of the region’s attractions. However, there are many other points of interest, such as the Museu da Música Portuguesa (Portuguese Music Museum) and several award-winning restaurants to visit. It’s a charming destination, where famous international celebrities have bought homes, and it’s one of the most attractive destinations for foreign guests. 

Cascais, Oeiras and Sintra form part of the Portuguese Riviera, also known as the Costa do Sol

We follow the coast to the town of Cascais. But first we make a small detour and stop at the Palácio da Pena in Sintra. It is well worth it for the garden, which is home to thousands of botanical species, for the views and for the exterior and interior architecture, which mixes different styles (Arabic, Baroque and Romanesque).Cascais has a contagious atmosphere, with the surf in sight and long idyllic beaches full of life. Here you’ll find Paula Rego’s House of Stories, the Santa Maria Lighthouse, the São Jorge de Oitavos Fort, the marina, several museums and a historic centre. There are also cliffs, one of which is very well known – the Boca do Inferno. There is so much to discover in this region. The land of nobles, rich and famous. But we say goodbye to Cascais, and dive into the waters of Guincho, where the wind lifts the sand, where the waves are perfect... for this is one of the best-known beaches in the world and one of the biggest attractions for fans of water sports (surfing, windsurfing, sailing and paddle boarding).
Every corner of this journey is an experience. Whilst at the wheel, in no time at all, we were able to enjoy and appreciate the essence of life. Along the coast, there are luxury resorts, restaurants, shops and other gourmet venues, glitter and charm, side by side with lush nature, culture, Portuguese history and spirit... True luxury. A lifestyle that you can feel in your pores. And a feeling of total freedom.