Casino Estoril — casino in Estoril

Casino Estoril is one of the largest casinos in Europe, located on the scenic Portuguese Riviera in the resort town of Estoril near Lisbon. During the Second World War, neutral Portugal turned Estoril into a refuge for refugees, spies and deposed monarchs, and the casino became a crossroads for them all. It was here that the British intelligence officer Ian Fleming observed the players and, according to legend, conceived the first James Bond novel, "Casino Royale". The establishment is surrounded by a park with fountains descending toward the ocean, while inside, classic gaming rooms, thousands of machines, a concert hall, restaurants and art galleries sit side by side. Exhibitions, live concerts and theatrical shows are held here, making the casino a full-fledged cultural centre of the resort. The atmosphere combines Atlantic charm, a history of espionage intrigue and the glamour of the mid-20th century.