Villa Laura

Villa Laura is on the seafront at Estoril, which is a rarer thing than the Lisbon coast's reputation suggests — most of the grand houses here sit a street or two back. This one has beach access and beachfront position, eight bedrooms, and a lift serving the floors, which matters in a house this tall.

The private pool sits above the ocean. There is a gym in the building, and the layout suits a group of twelve who want to be within walking distance of restaurants and the train rather than driving everywhere.

Estoril is fifteen minutes from Cascais and half an hour from central Lisbon by the coastal line, which runs along the water the whole way. The casino, the beaches and the old resort architecture are on the doorstep; Sintra is a short drive inland. For a group that wants the sea and the city in the same trip without choosing, this is the position.