Estoril is 25 minutes away from Lisbon and is just next to the town of Cascais. The first things you notice when you get to Estoril are the architecture and the surroundings. Palaces by the sea, nice, century-old houses neighbouring others with sophisticated and modern architecture, and a huge Casino are just some of the things you’ll encounter here. Yes, it does look as good as it sounds! During the Second World War, this entire region was crawling with spies and diplomatic secrecy, turning Estoril into a cosmopolitan and sophisticated place. The town then transformed into a touristic place, where several dignitaries and exiles spent their summers, further glamorising the area. Estoril was even used as a set for a couple of 007 movies, including the original Casino Royale and On Her Majesty's Service. Nowadays, Estoril is home to the largest Casino in Europe and is still surrounded by luxurious houses and estates. So, understandably, it's not the cheapest place to live in Lisbon. But if you can afford it, it's by far one of the coolest places to stay in while in Lisbon.