Long established as the cosmopolitan holiday destination of the rich and famous on the Portuguese Riviera, Estoril has an elegance more commonly attributed to resorts on the Côte d’Azur. Exiled royalty and deposed despots made this their haven during World War II, alongside spies from both sides. During a stay at the famous Palácio Hotel, Orson Wells apparently expressed amazement at the number of monarchs in residence.

Estoril’s main beach is set just across the road from the palm-lined Parque do Estoril with its cafes and restaurants. Praia de Tamariz is a fine stretch of golden sand backed by a seafront promenade that runs all the way to Cascais in the west and a couple of beaches in the Lisbon direction. The beach’s eastern end is somewhat dominated by the Forte da Cruz, a large faux castle that the Monaco royal family apparently owns. Let yourself be inspired by our recommendations www.travel-in-portugal.com/estoril.