The best things to do in São João do Estoril

If you're not yet familiar with Vietnamese flavours, here's a great opportunity with a fantastic view. SEN Estoril offers a wide range of sharing starters—featuring spring rolls, rolls, fried shrimp, or chicken wings, to name a few. If you're unsure what to choose with so many options, opt for the SEN Platter (18,90€), a dish that combines a variety of starters so you can taste a bit of everything.

The Parque das Gerações is sought after by those who enjoy living life with adrenaline, but don't expect to find a hostile environment: it increasingly welcomes families and many young girls who are becoming more interested in skateboarding. And it doesn't matter if you lack experience because in this iconic skatepark, both seasoned athletes on wheels and the youngest, who are still finding their balance on the board, can be found. The space, unanimously considered one of the best skateparks in the country, also features a supporting café, complete with a lovely terrace.

A great option to escape the wind, it's a true postcard of the region. Sheltered by a rock, where large mansions and palm trees stand, it's so small that it fills up quickly. It has some rocks on the right tip (from the sea's perspective) that will remind you of any Mediterranean destination.

Only the quality of what they serve can explain the success of Pastelaria Girassol, which has locations in São João do Estoril, São Pedro do Estoril, Parede, and Carcavelos. They sell cakes, pastries, croissants, and homemade cookies. They are known for their custard tarts, birthday cakes, or special editions they release during Christmas or Easter, for example (but, between us, the scones are irresistible).

It's probably the most unusual martial arts studio ever. We often associate academies where boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, or jiu-jitsu are practiced with closed rooms and artificial light. Well, what happens at Prime Studio Martial Arts is the opposite.

Maria Cristina Bravo, a martial arts enthusiast for almost two decades, decided to transform her old family villa in São João do Estoril into a gym. She manages it with two partners, teachers João Diogo and Daniel Riou, experienced individuals in the field who have had several other schools and are the mentors of many students. The studio was inaugurated in May 2023 and was installed on a deck in the property's backyard - it overlooks the sunset, with fresh air circulating and an abundance of natural light.

It's a high-end club for people of all ages and levels of experience, from beginners to high-performance athletes who want personalized coaching. Prime Studio Martial Arts also offers natural gymnastics classes, and if all goes well, yoga sessions will be available soon.

A beach restaurant doesn't have to serve only grilled fish and seafood. And Opíparo is proof of that, serving traditional Portuguese cuisine reinvented since 2010, such as fresh cod with sweet potato, turnip greens, and tomato chutney (£18.10); or Iberian pork secreto with sweet potato puree, sautéed vegetables, and honey and mustard sauce (£16.70). As expected, there are also sandwiches, toasts, and snacks to share, as well as some Italian dishes. The sangria is famous along the promenade.

If you've ever thought about trying scuba diving (the real deal, not the usual pool dives), São João do Estoril has the school that can fill that gap. Cascais Dive offers classes for various types of diving, both shallow and deep, taking place between Estoril and Cabo Raso. You can explore all available packages and find more information on the project's official website.

It's already a few years old, but it's still a semi-secret café-restaurant, where locals like to take people they want to surprise. It’s nestled above a beach (also secret), Praia do Forte, and has a pleasant terrace where it serves well-garnished salads, bruschettas, cheese and charcuterie platters and pasta. All that remains to be said is that you are surrounded by the sea. Beautiful.

Right by the ocean, Liquid Lounge is the perfect rooftop spot for late afternoon drinks and enjoying a snack at sunset. Give a try to the various signature cocktails and Italian delicacies on the menu, from focaccias to burrata, while the downstairs neighbors at SEN Estoril also offer some Vietnamese dishes. On Sundays, Liquid Lounge also serves a brunch menu. Want more? Here's a surprise: in the summer, they have a drone service that delivers bottles of sparkling wine right to your table.

Glood, from the famous chain of stores selling sweets and chocolates from different countries, with many rare and limited editions, is one of the must-visit places in the São João do Estoril area. Perfect for sweet-toothed enthusiasts eager to taste different treats, it's best to visit the store in moderation.

For our purposes, making a splash is highly recommended and a guarantee of success. Get off at Estoril station and walk (about five minutes) along the promenade towards Lisbon. A staircase and a ramp will guide you to the beach typically frequented by families and surfers.