Tamariz (Beach)

Praia do Tamariz is the main beach of Estoril, the elegant resort on the Costa do Sol west of Lisbon, and it has been a gathering place for more than a century. It lies in a small bay directly below the gardens of the Estoril Casino, a short walk from the railway station, and the combination of a sandy beach, a palm-lined promenade, and a grand building behind gives it a distinctive atmosphere that is more cosmopolitan than that of most Portuguese beaches.

The resort developed in the early 20th century, when a visionary entrepreneur planned a new seaside destination around a casino, a hotel, and a park, and a railway line connected it to Lisbon in about thirty minutes. The Casino Estoril, opened in 1916 and later enlarged, became one of the largest in Europe, and in the Second World War, when Portugal was neutral, Estoril was a haven for exiled royalty and a meeting place for spies and refugees from across Europe, a history that inspired the author Ian Fleming in creating James Bond. Several royal families, including those of Spain and Italy, lived in exile in the town in the decades that followed.

The beach is a stretch of fine golden sand sheltered by headlands, with relatively gentle water compared with the open Atlantic coast farther west. At one end an ocean pool, a seawater swimming pool built beside the shore, gives a protected place to swim, particularly useful for children and for days when the waves are strong. Parasols and loungers can be rented, and cafés and restaurants line the promenade, serving coffee, ice cream, and seafood. In summer the beach is crowded and lively, and the proximity of the casino and the gardens makes it a social place, with people strolling along the front in the evening.

The seafront promenade runs for about three kilometres along the coast to Cascais, passing small coves and fortresses, and is popular with walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The walk to Cascais takes around an hour, and the train offers a quick return. The Estoril Casino, with its gardens, shows, and restaurants, is open in the evenings for those interested.

The beach suits families, couples, and anyone who enjoys a classic resort atmosphere. It is easy to reach from Lisbon by train from Cais do Sodré, and the journey takes around half an hour. Bring sun protection and expect crowds in July and August.