Meet Estoril
Estoril has been the site of much interest among the rich and famous over the years, with its glamorous location on the Portuguese Riviera and its magnificent architecture, including its well-known casino.
Estoril betrays its popular status. It’s actually a calm and quiet town for most of the year, which encourages days of relaxation on the pristine beach and many great entertainment options. While its significance among the wealthy may make it seem like an exclusive destination, the ambiance of Estoril is pleasant, and it offers up plenty for the traveler and digital nomad passing through. Its location on the Portuguese Riviera is one of the reasons it has built the reputation it maintains today, but it’s the historic castle overlooking the ocean and the casino which takes center stage for many. If you’re living the digital nomad life and you’re in desperate need of warmth and water, then there are few better places to move to. Plus, this destination is located in one of the more affordable countries in Europe, with one of the most temperate climates year-round.
Where to live in Estoril
If you want to settle down in Estoril, you have several great districts to choose from. Each offers up something a little different, from the spectacular sea-view apartments to the traditional housing in the town’s center, there should be something that piques your interest. The good news is that wherever you decide to live in Estoril, you’ll be just a stone’s throw from the stunning coastline, so you could even get by without a car if you wanted to save money and enjoy a blissful remote existence by the sea.
Best Neighborhoods in Estoril
The best neighborhoods in Estoril are São joão do Estoril, São Pedro do Estoril and Galiza. São joão do Estoril and São Pedro do Estoril are both excellent districts if you’re looking for prime coast side property with breathtaking views out over the Portuguese Riviera. Galiza is a central district, perfect for being within reach of all the amenities and everything else the town offers.
Amazing Apartments, Coliving Spaces and More
We've been rounded up the best housing options in Estoril. All are available on flexible terms, so you can stay one month or as long as you want
Quick Facts About Estoril
Estoril is a fascinating destination and has an extraordinary amount to offer to visitors despite its status as a small town, with just 26,000 inhabitants. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Estoril:It has a pleasant temperate climate
Estoril is fortunate enough to be a coastal destination with year-round warmth to offer. It averages just less than 80°F during the summer months, and even in winter stays around 60°F.The Casino might have inspired ‘Casino Royale’
Another reason to visit the casino is for this trivia: it was perhaps the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s first James Bond book ‘Casino Royale.’ Ian Fleming stayed here during the Second World War, which gives many reasons to believe that it inspired his book based in a large casino.The Casino Estoril is a must-visit
The Casino Estoril is another hot spot for tourists, and understandably so. It’s here that many visitors flock because it’s one of the oldest casinos in Portugal and has a substantial green estate surrounding it.It’s one of the most expensive places to live in Portugal
While this might not be something you’re keen to hear if you’re planning to move to Estoril, it’s a fact that it’s a costly city to live in. This is likely due to its amazing location on the Portuguese Riviera, as well as its fame among the rich and famous, and proximity to the capital.It’s on the Portuguese Riviera
Estoril is one of several coastal cities, such as Sintra and Cascais, to be located on the Portuguese Riviera. The Portuguese Riviera is Portugal’s wealthy coastline with luxury destinations aplenty, where the rich and famous head to escape their responsibilities and live the good life.Estoril is home to the famous Hotel Palacio
If you like to live a life of luxury, you have to check out the famous Hotel Palacio, an incredible resort complete with a golf course and luxury spa. A suite here is perfect for a weekend of pampering, so when your friends and family come to visit, you’ll have somewhere to take them for an unforgettable experience.It’s just 25 minutes drive from Lisbon
Estoril not only has the benefit of being on the coast, but it is also just a 25-minute drive from the nation’s capital, Lisbon. It’s also just 15 minutes away from Sintra, which is home to one of the most vibrantly colorful castles you’re ever likely to see.The chalet Barros is picturesque
The Chalet Barros is a fort that was built in 1894. If you’ve Googled Estoril before, you will almost certainly have seen it, as it towers over the coastline with authority.Work in Estoril
If you’re looking for work in Estoril, an excellent place to start is in the Education sector, where you could probably find a job as a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher, provided that you are a native speaker of English or have a mastery of it. Aside from this, there aren’t many job opportunities in the town of Estoril itself, given its size. However, since it is just a 25-minute drive from Lisbon, a commute is possible, and remote work too. Some of Lisbon’s biggest employers are phone manufacturer Nokia, computer hardware developer OutSystems, and Accounting company KPMG.
How good is Estoril for Digital Nomads or Remote Work
Remote work is changing how the global workspace operates. In a trend that is showing no signs of slowing down, remote work is rapidly on the increase all around the world—especially in a place like Estoril. And about 25% of remote workers describe themselves as digital nomads—those who like to travel or stay in cities around the world while they work. So, how good is Estoril for both of these growing movements?
Average Internet Speed
Unfortunately, there isn’t much data on the internet speed in Estoril, but the average internet speed in nearby Lisbon is 8.32Mbps and 4.16Mbps. There’s a good chance that the internet speed in Estoril isn’t too far off these figures, given that it’s a popular destination among travelers.Work-friendly Coffee Shops
In Estoril, you are more likely to find coffee shops offering stunning views out over the ocean than ones with a lot of charger sockets and incredible Wi-Fi speeds, but still, it’s possible to work from them while soaking up the beautiful surroundings. Here are the top coffee shops for working in Estoril: Benedict Caffe: Benedict Caffe is one of the top-rated coffee shops in Estoril, as it has an exquisite menu of breakfast foods and offers up comfortable seating within a cozy environment. Park Lane Cafe: Park Lane Cafe is a chill spot to do a spot of afternoon work in the sun, with outdoor and indoor seating available. Quiosque Jardim dos Passarinhos: Quiosque Jardim dos Passarinhos is a coffee shop uniquely located in the heart of a park, making it ideal for work with the background soundtrack of birds chirping.Coworking Spaces
While Estoril isn’t necessarily a digital nomad hotspot, it does have a few special coworking spaces around town, so you can get some work done outside the house if necessary. Here are the top coworking spaces in Estoril: Lobo Cowork: Lobo Cowork proudly claims to be open 24/7, every day of the year, so there’s never a moment you won’t be able to gain access to its facilities. It’s a surprisingly modern space with all the comforts you could expect from a coworking space. Blue Cowork Cascais: In the nearby town of Cascais, you’ll find Blue Cowork Cascais, which is a great alternative if you’re willing to travel a short distance. It has private rooms, individual workspaces, and meeting rooms so you can get your work done whatever your needs. The two coworking spaces in and around Estoril are surprisingly good given the size of the town, equipped with modern facilities and all kinds of spaces.Suitable Level for Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad, your number one priority is, of course, getting through your workload since there’s nobody to tell you what to do. Arguably the best way to stay motivated and disciplined with your work is to achieve the perfect work-life balance. Estoril offers just that with enough local coworking spaces to help you get through the week’s work, as well as more than a few options for unwinding after the day’s projects are done. Take a walk to the beach and contemplate the waves of the ocean if you’re seeking to escape your responsibilities or for something more lively, head to the casino for an evening of entertainment.Visa Requirements
To become a resident in Estoril, you must satisfy Portugal’s visa requirements. There are several options, depending on how long you plan on staying in the country. For a short stay of up to 90 days, a visa is not required, even for U.S and Canadian citizens. However, for residency, which counts as more than 90 days out of every 180 days, you’ll need a visa. The residence visas vary, from the student visa to the self-employed visa and the investor visa. There’s also a Golden Visa, which is for those intending to bring more than $1 million into the country, create ten jobs or more, or buy property worth at least $500,000 (of which there are many in Estoril).Food and Drink in Estoril
There are several things to keep an eye out for in Estoril regarding gastronomy: its sausages and cured meats, traditional Portuguese cheeses, and pastries. To sample the delicious cuisine of Estoril, head to Taska Lusa, a fine dining establishment close to the ocean with a variety of great dishes. Another top pick is Atlantic Grill since it offers unrivaled views over the ocean, so you can admire the blue waves crashing against the shore as you chow down on Portuguese and European cuisine. Lamassa is the top-rated restaurant in Estoril for fresh handmade pasta and other delicious Italian dishes. Estroi offers many great wines in its bars, a popular option being the Portuguese vinho verde, but it’s also known for liqueurs such as Triple Sec too. There are several places to enjoy an evening glass of wine, including the spectacular Tamariz Beach Club, the Piano Bar, and Bar Rosa.
Restaurants
Bars
Top 6 Things To Do in Estoril
There is no shortage of things to see and do in Estoril, given its coastal location, which opens up a world of possibilities if you’re interested in maritime activities and sports. There are a plethora of pristine sandy beaches in this town, from Praia do Tamariz to Praia da Azarujinha, each highly rated by the locals and each offering up its own atmosphere. There are also several must-see attractions here, such as the grand Casino, the Lighthouse museum, and the coastal fort.
Park and National Palace of Pena
Estrada da Pena, Sintra
1
Lighthouse Museum of Santa Marta
Praceta Farol, Cascais
2
Casa das Histórias Paula Rego
Av. da República 300, Cascais
3
Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
Av Rei Umberto II de Itália Parque Marecha Carmona, Cascais
4
Praia da Conceição
R. Frederico Arouca 175, Cascais
5
Mercado da Vila
R. Padre Moisés da Silva 29, Cascais