Estoril beach © Portugal Info

The Estoril Coast, stretching west from Lisbon, boasts a rich historical past, a sunny climate, a wide range of Blue Flag beaches, and a beautiful countryside with verdant hills dropping down to the sea.

Once known as the Sun Coast, the Costa do Estoril region has long been popular with expats and is dotted with beach resorts like Cascais and Estoril, while up in the hills the historical retreats of Sintra and Mafra are also well worth visiting for their rich heritage. Sintra was one of the favourite summer retreats of the royal family, and there are pretty winelands in Carcavelos and Colares.

Between the Sintra hills and the Atlantic Ocean is the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its natural beauty and cultural interest. On the coast, a lighthouse and various other tourist facilities mark the westernmost point of continental Europe at Cabo da Roca. Costa do Estoril was once a spa location favoured by royal exiles from Europe during the World Wars and today is the flagship of Portuguese tourism.