Lisbon Riviera resorts. Excursion tours to Portugal. Holidays in Portugal. Tours to Lisbon, Porto. Lisbon Riviera: beaches of Estoril and Cascais
We will organize a variety of excursion tours to Portugal in 2020. Portugal is one of our favorite destinations. Portugal is a wonderful country for relaxing holiday And interesting travels. The destination is relatively expensive, mainly due to air travel to Lisbon.
We specialize largely in excursion tours, of which we would like to highlight first of all our wonderful author’s tour “Iberian Voyage”. This tour includes visits to two countries - Spain and Portugal and is relatively inexpensive due to the more economical flight to Madrid.
Our tours to Portugal are designed for tourists from different cities. In each tour, in the "Transport" section, there is information on flights and transfers.
Portugal differs from many other countries in its calmness and tranquility in everything. Even the songs are somehow calm and melodic. Portugal is also distinguished great service, an abundance of attractions and the absence of “tourist extras”. And also a calm, cool climate, very fresh air from the ocean and excellent cuisine that could easily compete with its more famous neighbors. But the Portuguese don’t argue - they just cook deliciously.
There is a lot to see in Portugal. In addition to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, numerous palaces and monasteries are of interest: Alcobaca, Estoril, Braga, Guimaraes, Caimbra, Fatima, Batalha, Sintra, Obidos, Mafra and much more. By the way Portugal great option to combine educational holiday with a beach one, traveling from Moscow to the resorts of the Lisbon Riviera, Algarve and Madeira.
As a specialist in Portugal, we will help diversify your trip in 2020 with interesting routes and holidays in Portugal.
The Lisbon Riviera is a huge strip of fashionable resorts that stretches from the mouth of the Tagus River to the coast Atlantic Ocean. Holidays here are a combination beach holiday with inspection huge amount historical attractions. Thanks to the warm Mediterranean climate, holidays in the Lisbon Riviera are considered one of the best in Europe.
The most popular resorts The Lisbon Riviera are Cascais and Estoril. The beaches of these resorts are also suitable for relaxing family vacation and for active sports recreation such as: diving, snorkeling, surfing. On land, it's a game of golf. The resort of Estoril has the most best fields for golf in the world. The beaches in Cascais and Estoril are amazing. If in Cascais there is only one beach, then in Estoril there is a huge strip of them, one beach smoothly transitions into another. All beaches of Reviera are comfortable, clean, with a good seabed, and equipped with modern equipment necessary for a complete and quality holiday.
A holiday in the Lisbon Riviera is also a very educational holiday. Here you can get acquainted with the sights of the ancient and amazing beautiful city– Cascais with its ancient buildings. In general, here you can choose any one for yourself excursion route, where you will learn everything about the historical side of Portugal, its architecture, cities and their inhabitants, culture and heritage, national cuisine and national drinks. Definitely worth a visit sightseeing tour in Lisbon, by ancient city Sintra and Cape Roca, the city of Fatima, the city-museum of Evora, one of the oldest and beautiful cities in Portugal and much more. The Lisbon Riviera is well located so that you can take a variety of excursions every day.
Traveling along the Lisbon Riviera will leave you with a lot of impressions and pleasant memories.
In addition to magnificent palaces and castles, as well as delicious wine and excellent cuisine, sunny Portugal offers tourists luxurious beaches for a comfortable holiday. The best luxury resorts in this country are called the Lisbon Riviera. These beaches stretch along the Atlantic coast from the mouth of the Tagus River to the north. The Lisbon Riviera will become ideal place holiday for those who plan to combine a beach holiday and sightseeing of historical and cultural monuments. Best season The months to visit the Riviera are from May to the end of September. The main cities in this part of the country are Estoril, Cascais, Carcavelos and Costa de Caparica, located just 10-15 minutes from the Portuguese capital.
Estoril - the most fashionable
Estoril is considered the most fashionable, modern and developed resort on the Lisbon Riviera. Gambling fans also come here, since Estoril is also known as a major gambling center in Portugal, where one of the most famous European casinos is located. For lovers active rest This resort offers a variety of water sports, horseback riding, luxury golf courses, and eight water parks. Among other things, Estoril is called the most sunny city all over the world, and the Gulf Stream, which washes this coast, provides a warm and mild climate at the resort. The most popular months here are the summer months, when the air temperature rises above +30 degrees Celsius and the water warms up to +21. Sandy beaches are one of the main advantages of the city - they stretch along coastline and move one into another, offering tourists all the necessary conditions for a comfortable and pleasant stay - changing cabins, showers with fresh water, sun loungers and parasols, rental points, as well as cafes, beach bars and restaurants.
Tourists can diversify their beach holiday in this part of the Lisbon Riviera by going to the casino, visiting excellent local fashionable restaurants or playing sports. Families with children should definitely visit the stunning water parks, which will impress and delight not only children, but also adults. Sightseeing lovers will also find entertainment in Estoril. The main monument of these places is the Citadel, which was built to protect against external enemies. The citadel saved this part of the country many times; it was strengthened and rebuilt just as many times, until it turned into a powerful and impregnable stronghold. According to historians, the Citadel is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. It will also be interesting to see the Church of St. Anthony, the patron saint of Lisbon, built in the 16th century. In addition, it is worth visiting the amazing Boca de Inferno, which literally means "Devil's Mouth". The most vivid impression this gloomy hole in the rock appears in cloudy weather, especially if you look at the “mouth” from the sea. Museum lovers might be interested in visiting small local museums ( Maritime Museum, Museum of Folk Instruments, Museum of Antique Cars).
The easiest way to get to Estoril, which is located about 15 kilometers from Lisbon, is by train or bus from the capital. The cost of a bus trip is about 3 euros (about 145 rubles). The cost of a flight to Lisbon from Moscow and back is (as of May 2014) about 14,000 - 16,000 rubles per person if you fly with a transfer, and about 30,000 rubles without transfers. The flight time is approximately five and a half hours. As for hotel accommodation, prices in Estoril start from 1,500 rubles per day per room in a hostel or inexpensive hotel up to 2,500 - 4,000 rubles per room in a three- or four-star hotel and 11,000 rubles per room in a luxury five-star hotel.
Cascais is the youngest
The most popular resort on the Lisbon Riviera among young people is Cascais, located a few kilometers from Estoril. This part of the coast has the most discos and nightclubs, and this is where nightlife lovers come.
Like the rest of the Riviera, the climate here is mild, allowing ocean swimming from May to early October. However, most tourists come here in the warmest months - July and August, when the air warms up to +28 degrees Celsius and the ocean - up to +20. In addition to cheerful young people, those tourists who like to relax on the best beaches come to Cascais. Here the sandy strip stretches along the coast for several kilometers. The most popular beach in this part of the Riviera is Guinho with the most high waves, attracting surfers, kiters and other water extreme sports enthusiasts. Connoisseurs of lazy “beaching” should choose the beaches of Riberia or Torre, which are calmer and have excellent infrastructure.
In addition to relaxing on the beach, tourists can visit interesting ancient monuments in Cascais. For example, Palacio de Conde de Castro Guimaraes (open on weekdays from 10-00 to 17-00, on weekends - from 10-00 to 13-00 and from 14-00 to 17-00) - a museum-library where you can see for a unique collection of 25,000 books, including many rare editions. Lovers of natural wonders should definitely see the Grutus do Poço Velho grottoes, which are located in the very center of the city and date back to the ancient Neolithic era. Tourists also enjoy walking around Parque Palmela between Estoril and Cascais, where open-air concerts often take place. The most convenient way to explore the city's attractions is on foot or by bicycle, since the situation with car parking is quite tense, especially in the city center. There is a separate path for cyclists in Cascais, which stretches almost ten kilometers from the city to the Guinho promenade in Estoril. By the way, you can rent a two-wheeled bicycle completely free of charge - in different parts There are rental points in the city where you just need to show your passport and rent a vehicle.
The most convenient way to get to Cascais from Lisbon, which is 25 kilometers away, is by bus or train. As for accommodation, hotel accommodation here will cost from 800 - 1000 rubles per day for a room in a hostel and 3000 - 4,500 in 3*-4* hotels to 12,000 rubles per day for rooms in luxury hotels such as Grande Real Villa Italia or Hotel Cascais Miragem.
Costa de Caparica - the whitest beach
Costa de Caparica, located not far from Lisbon, is considered the whitest resort on the Lisbon Riviera. That is why residents of the capital often come here on weekends. Young people come here for excellent waves, lovers of gastronomic pleasures - for excellent fish dishes, and for romantics to take a walk along the magnificent coast. Here on the coast stretch best beaches with fine white sand. The most popular are Sereia and Morena, where the best beach bars are located, and the quiet Lagoa de Albufeira beach is ideal for families with children.
Costa de Caparica will be a real paradise for lovers of fish and seafood, because this city is nothing more than an overgrown fishing village. It's worth checking out the cozy Via Caparica restaurant, which has a homely atmosphere and serves delicious and inexpensive dishes. The beach restaurant Praia da Cabana do Pescador is also famous among tourists, where it plays live music, and offer the best cocktails at the resort. After relaxing on the beach and having some food at a local restaurant, you can go sightseeing. One of them is the Arriba Area - a huge protected area where there is a mass of rocks and fossils up to fifteen million years old. Sports lovers can relax by playing golf at the largest golf club in the Lisbon area - Aroeira. However, these courses are designed more for professionals due to the difficult terrain of the fields.
The easiest way to get to Costa de Caparica is from the nearest city, Lisbon. international Airport is located just 15 kilometers away, from where taxis, buses and trains go to Costa de Caparica. The center can be reached by train across the Tagus River to Pragal station, where you can take bus number 196 to Caparica. A more comfortable taxi ride will cost 25 - 30 euros (about 1,220 - 1,462 rubles), but may take longer due to traffic jams. When planning the budget for a trip to this resort, it is worth keeping in mind that accommodation costs from 700 - 1,700 rubles per day for a room in a hostel or mini-hotel to 3,000 - 5,000 rubles for a room in a more decent and comfortable hotel with all amenities.
The wineiest - Carcavelos
Carcavelos is distinguished not only by excellent opportunities for beach holidays and active sports, but also by a variety of historical monuments. In addition, this city has long been known not only in Portugal, but also abroad for its delicious wine, which can be tasted in local restaurants and beach bars at an affordable price. Surfers, as well as lovers of other extreme water sports, also like to come to this resort.
The beach of this part of the Lisbon Riviera is the most visited local residents, people come here from all over Lisbon and the surrounding area, so don’t count on a quiet and secluded holiday. The beaches are great developed infrastructure In addition, their size provides excellent opportunities for playing football, volleyball, etc. Kiting and windsurfing schools also operate here, offering training in these sports. As for the “excursion”, lovers of attractions will be interested in seeing the Fort of São Julião da Barra at the very beginning of the beach. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was a political prison where followers of liberals, Jesuits and absolutists were imprisoned. The palace of the Marquis de Pombal, which was built in the 18th century in the center of the nearby town of Oeiras, is stunning in its sophistication. It is also worth a trip to the mouth of the Tagus River, where the Bugio lighthouse stands, which is a fort with a central tower. Initially, this lighthouse was built of wood, but later it was rebuilt in stone.
Tourists can take a break from sightseeing in one of the many restaurants in Carcavelos. Here you should definitely try the Carcavelos wine, made from a mixture of ten different grape varieties. The best place to try a succulent barbecue is at the Atlântico restaurant, and amazingly tasty shrimp and octopus in olive oil are served at the Gioconda restaurant. Restaurante A Pastorinha is rightfully considered the best of the coastal establishments, famous for its fish dishes and stunning soulful atmosphere.
The most convenient way to get to Carcavelos is from Lisbon. The train journey from Cais Sodre station will take only ten minutes and will cost no more than two euros (about 97 rubles). A taxi ride may take longer due to traffic jams and will cost up to 30 euros (about 1,462 rubles). As for hotels, the cost of living at this resort starts from 1,000 rubles per room in an inexpensive hotel on the outskirts to 3,000 - 4,500 rubles per night in a 3*-4* hotel with all amenities.
This is the most fashionable resort Riviera, which has long been chosen by representatives of the European aristocracy. There are many old impressive villas and famous hotels.. Here, often observing maximum anonymity, lived aristocrats, statesmen, writers, artists, spies and deposed kings. The embankment and shady streets of Estoril saw Ian Fleming, Indira Gandhi, Jean Renoir, Kim Philby, Graham Greene, Stefan Zweig. The King of Italy, Umberto, the royal families from Bulgaria and Spain, the Archduke of Hungary, and the King of Romania, who arrived in Portugal in the trunk of a car, found shelter in Estoril. Many of them stayed at the Palacio, the most famous hotel here.
World chess champion Alexander Alekhine lived and died in the now defunct Hotel du Parc in 1946. Once upon a time, this now thriving suburb of Lisbon was a deserted coastline (Estoril = sterile, deserted). But after the construction of the casino, villas of the European nobility began to be built on the shore, and soon the casino itself became the center where the espionage passions of the world's intelligence services were in full swing. It was here that young Ian Fleming conceived his agent 007; the action of the first James Bond book takes place in Estoril. And the famous agent carries an unquenchable love of gambling through all his books.
Situated along the Atlantic coast, the Lisbon Riviera stretches from the mouth of the Tagus River in a northerly direction. This is where some of the best Portuguese resorts, characterized by a high level of service, are concentrated. Holidays on the Lisbon Riviera, Portugal, mean relatively affordable housing prices, a variety of entertainment and the opportunity to explore historical, cultural and natural attractions.
The leading resorts of the Lisbon Riviera are Estoril, Cascais, Carcavelos, Casta di Caparica.
How to get there
The very name of the region already suggests that you have to get there from the Portuguese capital. The Riviera's distance from Lisbon is insignificant; by car you can cover this distance in just 20-30 minutes.
However, if you are not planning to rent a vehicle, you are not planning to take a taxi. Then most convenient option- by rail.
The train's departure point is Cais do Sodre station. By the way, in addition to railway platform the metro station of the same name and a pier are located here. Not far from the station there are stops for various buses and tram routes, so getting to the platform will not be difficult.
Electric transport to the resorts of the Lisbon Riviera departs daily at intervals of half an hour. You need to board the train heading to Cascais. 
A one-way fare will cost 2.15 euros. You can save money if you do not pay for every trip, but purchase a prepaid Zapping card, which will reduce the price to 1.80 euros.
When to go
The Lisbon Riviera is interesting at any time of the year, but if, in addition to the desire to contemplate the sights and visit entertainment venues If you also want to soak up the beach, it’s better to go in the summer months, from the second half of June. Daytime temperatures at this time are about 28 degrees, the sea is warmed up to +20.
In winter, the daytime never gets cooler than +10 degrees, which means walks and excursions will be more than comfortable.
Main resort areas
Estoril
A holiday here is an opportunity to visit a large number of beaches, go shopping and see ancient churches. But the main thing that attracts many tourists here is the opportunity to spend time in the center of gambling and tourism in Portugal.
Main city attractions
- Fort of São Julião da Barra, rising at the very beginning of the beach;
- Palace of the Marquis de Pombal, built in the 18th century;
- Ancient lighthouse of Bugio.
Beaches
Local beaches are the most popular among Lisbon residents. There is a wide sandy beach here, stretching for almost one and a half kilometers, the ocean is calm, the entry into the water is gentle, which makes this an excellent place for families with children.
Near the shore there is a landscaped walking area, a large number of cafes and restaurants. By the way, in summer they are open to guests even at night.
There is a school on the beach where they teach surfing and other aquatic species sports, equipment rental is organized. There is a first aid station and a rescue service. The shower is working. There are grounds for playing volleyball and football
Tourist sites of the Lisbon Riviera
No matter what resort town The Lisbon Riviera is your holiday destination of choice in 2020 and has a number of must-see attractions.
While relaxing here, you can also visit the birthplace of port wine - the city or go explore the sights of Coimbra, which was the Portuguese capital in the 12-13 centuries.
What else you need to know about holidays on the Lisbon Riviera
Where to eat
Each resort has a wide selection of cafes and restaurants offering both seafood and meat delicacies. Grilled dishes are popular.
For wine lovers, it is worth visiting one of the Carcavelos wineries, where you can taste local drinks.
Shopping
It’s worth going to the capital of Portugal for shopping, because Lisbon is firmly established in the top ten cities in Europe, the best in terms of shopping.
Basic shopping centers capitals open at 11 and are open until 23 hours, which cannot be said about smaller stores that receive customers from 9 to 19 hours.