This town was really created from the curious needs of the two World Wars. Once a small Spa location conveniently placed between Lisbon and Cascais, it became a prime residence for several European royal exiles forced to leave their own countries.

It has been the home of King Umberto II of Italy, Juan de Bourbon of Spain, Karl Hapsburg of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and King Carol of Rumania. The many modest yet architecturally interesting mansions still remain to indicate their royal owners.

At its height its visitors referred to Estoril as the “Portuguese Riviera”. The Portuguese themselves were quick to appreciate this added attraction.

A Casino with wide surrounding avenues and spacious gardens, a golf course, all of which soon appeared and then flanked by large hotels and impressive private homes.

Today a motorway to Lisbon conveniently links the town but it still retains a strong glimpse of its former glory with its relaxed and gracious style.

In Monte Estoril there is a museum devoted to a collection of many musical instruments and related matter. Nearby is the Grutas de Alapraia, discovered in the late 19th Century containing relics from as far back as BC 3.000.

Further to the east in the direction of Lisbon at Paço de Arcos is a museum with a well worth visiting with a formidable collection of Antique Cars.

Nearby is yet another museum which was once a royal Gun Powder Factory dating back to the 18th Century. This location is now often used for popular musical events.

International Estoril Tennis Open	April
Estoril Jazz Festival	July
Handicraft Fair	July to August

Postal Code	2765
Inhabitants	24.000
Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms. Distances in Kms. (In order to read the above document please download Adobe Acrobat Reader at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)

Police	214 681 396
Emergency Treatment	214 680 387
Tourist Office	214 663 813
SOS	112
Support to Tourists	800 296 296
Railways (CP) - www.cp.pt	808 208 208