Costa do Destination Guide

Overview of Costa do Estoril The Estoril Coast, stretching west from , boasts a rich past and sunny climate. It has 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 and Estoril. Up in the hills lie the historic retreats of Mafra and . Sintra was one of the favourite summer retreats of the royal family, and there are pretty winelands in Carcavelos and . 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 marks the westernmost point of continental at . Additionally, 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.

Key Facts

Language: Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken and understood. Passport/Visa: All visitors, except EEA member states, must hold tickets and documents for their return or onward journey, and proof of paid accommodation (equivalent in convertible currency accepted). The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: , , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, , Germany, Greece, , Iceland, , Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, , Slovakia, Slovenia, , Sweden and Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. Currency: The official currency is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. There are numerous banks, bureaux de change and ATMs available in main cities and tourist destinations. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and automatic currency exchange machines. Banking hours are generally 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Major credit cards are widely accepted. Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

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Travel to Costa do Estoril Climate for Costa do Estoril The Costa de Estoril on Portugal's west coast has cold and rainy winters with warm weather between May and September. Even during the height of summer, temperatures are pleasant, seldom rising more than 80°F (27°C), and moderated by cool sea breezes. Health Notes when travelling to Portugal There are no health risks attached to travel to Portugal. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary for entry for anyone travelling from an infected area and destined for the Azores or Madeira. Health facilities are good and reciprocal health agreements exist with most European countries, including the UK, whose citizens can receive low-cost emergency care at state hospitals. It is advisable that travellers obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travel. Dental care and repatriation costs are not covered under this agreement, and medical insurance is therefore advised. Safety Notes when travelling to Portugal Generally, safety is not a problem for travel in Portugal but there is a rising incidence of petty theft and pick pocketing in tourist areas, so reasonable care should be taken. Portugal has a very poor road safety record so exercise caution and drive defensively when exploring in a rented car. Customs in Portugal It is a legal requirement for foreigners to show some form of identification on request. Duty Free in Portugal Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarrilos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 4 litres of wine, 16 litres of beer and 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres of liquor less than 22% volume; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; other goods up to the value of €430 for air and sea travellers. Doing Business in Portugal Business culture in Portugal observes a strict hierarchical 'top-down' approach to management and leadership. Subordinate employees are expected to do as they are told. Strong business relationships are built on trust between colleagues, and personal connections are important. Business etiquette is formal, yet relaxed. Use titles ('Señhor' and 'Señhora') until strictly instructed not to do so, and show deference to those in obvious positions of authority. Business meetings in Portugal must be made by appointment, and should not ordinarily be scheduled for times when they might conflict with important family or religious holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.). The dress code in Portugal is strictly smart and formal - with a strong emphasis placed on presentation. Business hours in Portugal vary, but are generally from 8.30am to 1pm, and 3pm to 6pm, from Monday to Friday. Communication in Portugal The international access code for Portugal is +351. Pre-paid sim cards can be bought at airports and used in unlocked mobile phones. Wifi is available in most hotels, cafes and some restaurants throughout Portugal. Tipping in Portugal Service charges are not usually added to hotel and restaurant bills but it is customary to leave a 10 percent tip. Bar staff and taxi drivers also expect tips, which usually entails rounding up of the bill to the nearest Euro. Passport/Visa Note All visitors, except EEA member states, must hold tickets and documents for their return or onward journey, and proof of paid accommodation (equivalent in convertible currency accepted). The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

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Currency The official currency is the Euro (EUR), which is divided into 100 cents. There are numerous banks, bureaux de change and ATMs available in main cities and tourist destinations. Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and automatic currency exchange machines. Banking hours are generally 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Major credit cards are widely accepted.

Exchange rate for 1 EUR - Euro 1.12 BMD 1.12 USD 0.77 GBP 121.65 JPY 1.46 CAD 1.10 CHF Bermudan Dollar U.S. Dollar U.K. Pound Sterling Japanese Yen Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc 1.54 AUD 28.05 UAH 377.26 KZT 1,682.21 LBP 0.80 LYD 7.66 BOB Australian Dollar Ukrainian Hryvnia Kazakhstani Tenge Lebanese Pound Libyan Dinar Bolivian Boliviano 120.52 NPR 0.43 OMR 4.07 QAR 1.54 SGD 9.26 SEK 7.41 TTD Nepalese Rupee Omani Rial Qatari Rial Singapore Dollar Swedish Krona Trinidad Tobago Dollar 11.15 VEF 51.20 DOP 7.51 HRK 20.82 MXN 654.97 XOF 3.54 PGK Venezuelan Bolivar Dominican Peso Croatian Kuna Mexican Peso West African CFA Franc Papua New Guinean kina 1.12 BSD 2.36 FJD 25.29 HNL 123.47 DZD 1,330.84 MMK 12.50 BWP Bahamian Dollar Fiji Dollar Honduran Lempira Algerian Dinar Myanma Kyat Botswana Pula 3.76 PEN 774.75 CLP 534.10 AMD 27.00 CZK 22.32 MDL 138.84 ISK Peruvian Nuevo Sol Chilean Peso Armenia Dram Czech Koruna Moldova Lei Icelandic Krona 3,282.94 UZS 4.31 ILS 0.79 JOD 0.34 KWD 35.02 UYU 39.68 MUR Uzbekistan Sum Israeli New Sheqel Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Uruguayan Peso Mauritian Rupee 31.85 NIO 9.32 NOK 4.38 PLN 4.19 SAR 163.12 LKR 39.79 THB Nicaraguan Córdoba Norwegian Krone Polish Zloty Saudi Riyal Sri Lanka Rupee Thai Baht 4.10 AED 4.02 BRL 4.52 RON 8.68 HKD 656.46 XAF 25,106.99 VND U.A.E Dirham Brazilian Real Romanian New Leu Hong Kong Dollar Central African CFA Franc Vietnamese Dong 15.58 ARS 3.01 XCD 8.75 GTQ 10.92 MAD 0.42 BHD 1.12 PAB Argentine Peso East Caribbean Dollar Guatemalan Quetzal Moroccan Dirham Bahrain Dinar Panamanian Balboa 1.67 AZN 3,482.98 COP 76.30 KGS 312.53 HUF 8.79 TJS 15,285.70 IDR Azerbaijan Manat Colombian Peso Kyrgyzstan Som Hungarian Forint Tajikistan Ruble Indonesian Rupiah 9.92 EGP 1,330.60 KRW 6,333.44 PYG 4.65 MYR 601.85 CRC 1.64 NZD Egyptian Pound South Korean Won Paraguayan Guaraní Malaysian Ringgit Costa Rican Colón New Zealand Dollar 117.01 PKR 74.62 RUB 17.43 ZAR 2.37 TND 2.23 BBD 1.96 BGN Pakistani Rupee Russian Rouble South African Rand Tunisian Dinar Barbadian Dollar Bulgarian Lev 3.30 TRY 52.08 PHP 36.44 TWD 219.51 NGN 119.70 XPF 4.37 GHS Turkish Lira Philippine Peso New Taiwan Dollar Nigerian Naira CFP Franc Ghanaian Cedi 139.55 JMD 2.01 ANG 1.54 BND 123.51 RSD 7.35 CNY 22,229.06 BYR Jamaican Dollar Neth. Antillean Guilder Brunei Dollar Serbian Dinar Chinese Yuan Belarussian Ruble 7.43 DKK 3.84 TMT 75.14 INR

Danish Krone New Turkmenistan Manat Indian Rupee

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Sintra Overview

The picturesque resort town of Sintra, 18 miles (29km) north-west of Lisbon, lies at the heart of one of Portugal's most appealing holiday regions, abounding with natural beauty, historical and cultural attractions and plenty of leisure opportunities. Sintra itself, characterised by lush greenery, bright splashes of flowers and elaborate 'wedding cake' palaces, was described as a 'glorious Eden' by classic poet . No wonder it was once chosen by royalty and nobility as the place to build their summer holiday retreats and, in more modern times, has been accorded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sintra is actually an amalgamation of three villages, sprawling down a steep granite hillside, so the layout is a little confusing for visitors on holiday. The huge Palacio Nacional, with its tall, conical chimneys serves as a landmark in the centre of Sintra, and makes a good starting point for walking tours of the key attractions of this fascinating fairy-tale town, captured by Christian Crusaders from the Moors in 1147. A fun way to see the town and surrounds is aboard the historic 100-year-old Sintra Tram, which connects Estefanea to Praia das Macas. It is open for rides for the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a couple of Euros.

Shopping in Sintra

Shopping in Sintra becomes a tour of traditional Portuguese folk art and crafts. Do not expect a frenetic spending spree in glitzy modern malls. Sintra's shops are tucked away in narrow cobblestone streets, waiting to be ferreted out by those who appreciate fine holiday souvenirs, like hand-painted ceramics, lace, beaten copper and bronze, embroidered linen and jewellery. Goods come from all over the country, including the Azores. Prices can be steep, but most merchants are open to a little bargaining. Best place to shop is the Praca da Republica and Sao Pedro Square. Those who are seeking modern designer clothing and houseware will have to travel out of town to the huge Cascais Shopping Centre, the area's largest shopping mall.

Dining in Sintra

The best Sintra restaurants tend to keep their offerings local, often with international overtones. Some delicious specialities of the region to look out for are Negrais suckling pig, Merces pork, roast kid, bass and shellfish of all sorts. Then there are the pastries, particularly Sintra queijadas, which are like mini-cheesecakes, made to an age-old recipe. Cream cakes and local jams complete the temptations, all of which should be accompanied by some excellent Portuguese wines.

Activities in Sintra

Sintra is certainly not a party town, but as one appreciative visitor remarked: 'When there are so many marvels to enjoy during the day, who needs nightlife?' Evenings tend to be spent sedately, wining and dining. There are, of course, several bars in the town, some of which occasionally offer live music and can work up quite a buzz. The liveliest bars and cafes are on the Rua das Padarias, Rua Fonte da Pipa and Rua da Ferraria. Late night owls should enjoy the Adega das Caves bodega, which is open until the wee hours on the Praca da Republica, drawing an international crowd.

Things to be aware of in Sintra

Sintra has little to offer the young clubbing and party set, being more of a sightseeing or beach holiday destination. Its close proximity to Lisbon means that it is often crowded at weekends in summer.

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Cascais Overview

Once just a small picturesque fishing village, Cascais has exploded into one of the most bustling, sophisticated holiday resorts on the . It retains its laid-back atmosphere, however, and the local fishermen still ply their trade and auction their catch on the main square. Cascais town now hosts a plethora of elegant shops, bars and eateries set around colourful cobblestone walkways, to cater for the holidaymakers. Besides the lovely local beaches there are some other great sightseeing opportunities. Cascais' 16th century church has carved and gilded woodwork and some famous paintings, while the Cascais Amunicipal Museum is housed in a palace and has some interesting exhibits and illuminated manuscripts. The Sea Museum contains everything maritime from model boats to fishermen's boots, and the 16th century Fort of Cascais offers a beautiful view and an open-air artillery museum. About two miles (3km) out of Cascais is a strange rock formation known as the Mouth of Hell, which is worth a look en route to the lovely beach of Guincho, a holiday favourite for surfers.

Shopping in Cascais

Shopping in Cascais' town centre is an enjoyable pastime, exploring the Rua da Raita pedestrianised street which offers numerous small shops selling local wares, including hand-embroidered linen and hand-painted tiles and other ceramics. Along the beachfront are the ubiquitous open-fronted stores and kiosks selling holiday requisites like buckets and spades, sunglasses and sunscreen. For local colour the place to be is on the Rua Mercado on Wednesdays or Saturday mornings when the farmer's market is held, selling fresh produce and plenty of other goods. Glitzy shopping is at the huge Shopping Cascais Centre, out of town on the highway to Sintra. There are two floors with hundreds of stores dealing mainly in clothing, accessories, furniture and household goods.

Dining in Cascais

Cascais is renowned for its quality dining, drawing gourmets from Lisbon and nearby Estoril. The main restaurant strip of Cascais is the walk-through Rua Frederico Arouca, and the lively Largo Luis de Camoes. Here you will find a wide choice of eateries, most with outside areas, from cafes to traditional taverns, serving both local fare and international cuisine. Fish restaurants abound; be warned it is said that one should not eat fish in Portugal on Mondays, because fishermen do not go to sea on Sundays! Specialities of the Estoril coast are fish stew, sole, dried codfish, lobster and crab. Spicy chicken dishes are also popular. Enjoy the reasonably priced good local wines. Popular restaurants in Cascais include the Michelin-starred Fortaleza do Guincho, and the local seafood at Restaurante B and B.

Activities in Cascais

The Cascais resort has a vibrant nightlife, offering everything from traditional Fado to wild dance clubs. Largo Luiz de Camoes Square is the hub of the hotspots, with a collection of bars and clubs. Most popular and lively of the clubs, Coconuts, is to the west of the town on the seafront, with a bar and dance floor. Other favourites include Baluarte, Ferdi's, O' Neills Irish Pub and Bally Bally Pub.

Things to be aware of in Cascais

Visitors staying near the centre of town may find it quite noisy.

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Estoril Overview

Sixteen miles (26km) west of Lisbon is the trendy resort town of Estoril, a cosmopolitan holiday destination with a promenade along three narrow coarse sandy beaches, luxury hotels, championship golf courses and some excellent restaurants. During World War II exiled royalty from all over Europe took refuge here and whiled away their time gambling in the Estoril's , which is one of the largest in Europe. The town is also known for its summer handicraft fair, and the nearby Estoril Autodrome, which draws motor racing enthusiasts.

Shopping in Estoril

Shopping is limited in Estoril, mainly confined to mini-market grocers serving the locals with a few craft shops and vendors along the beachfront. Souvenirs are available but for a real shopping spree while on holiday, visitors have to head for the large Cascais Shopping Centre a few miles away.

Dining in Estoril

The Estoril resort has a modest selection of restaurants serving both local dishes and international fare, but most tend to be rather upmarket and expensive. There are some laid-back cafes around the casino, and casual eateries along the promenade. For a superb dining experience one cannot beat the Four Seasons in the Palácio Hotel, Rua do Parque, where the gourmet menu extends from sole meneure to wild boar cutlets. An excellent fish restaurant, next to the casino, is the Costa do Estoril, a good place to indulge in the Portuguese favourite codfish.

Activities in Estoril

The main drawcard after dark in Estoril is the famed casino, which not only caters for gamblers and slot machine addicts, but also offers a flashy cabaret show. When it comes to clubs and pubs, the options are better in nearby Cascais.

Things to be aware of in Estoril

Estoril is a sedate seaside destination, not suited to children or young party animals.

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