Here’s our list of 7 popular casinos we loved in Portugal:
- Casino Lisboa | Casino Lisboa
- Casino Estoril | Casino Estoril
- Casino Espinho in Porto | Casino Espinho
- Casino da Madeira | Casino da Madeira
- Casino Vilamoura in the Algarve | Casino Vilamoura
- Casino Figueira | Casino Figueira
- Casino de Chaves in northern Portugal | Casino de Chaves
In Portugal, much like neighboring Spain, people know how to enjoy the good life: excellent food, fine wines, music, dancing, and yes, casinos too, all of which are part of the landscape in many towns and cities across this peaceful, beautiful country.
Unlike their counterparts across the ocean in the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas, casinos in Portugal are open only 12 hours a day. Most commonly, that means from 3:00 PM to 3:00 AM, or—especially on weekends—from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
We’ve put together an overview of some of Portugal’s best casinos, including ones in the country’s main tourist destinations as well as a few a little off the beaten path. First, though, a few words about casino rules and regulations in Portugal.
Casino Entry Rules in Portugal
- Age – Entry to casinos in Portugal is restricted to guests 18 and older.
- ID required – You must present identification at the entrance to verify your age. We always recommend bringing your passport, as it’s the most universally accepted form of ID. That said, in practice, anyone who clearly looks older will probably not be asked to show identification at the door—but you never know.
- Dress code – In Portugal, you cannot enter a casino wearing flip-flops or swimwear. Some venues also prohibit tank tops, shorts, and hats. In general, it’s best to dress nicely. That doesn’t mean you need a tuxedo, but in Portugal—and in Europe more broadly—it’s customary to be well dressed when walking through casino doors.
- Bags – Bags, suitcases, and shopping bags are not allowed inside the casino (small women’s handbags and small belt bags or crossbody bags for men are permitted). In any case, almost all casinos offer a free coat-check or bag storage service, so if you’re carrying anything, you can store it safely until the end of your visit.
- No photography – Photography and camera use are not allowed inside casinos in Portugal.
Useful Portuguese words for your time at the casino
- Tables – Mesas
- Chips – Fichas
- Bag check – Bengaleiro
- Cashier – Caixa (pronounced caisha)
A closer look at each of the casinos we liked in Portugal:
1. Casino Lisboa
Lisbon’s large casino, Casino Lisboa, is located in the city’s northeast, about an 8-minute drive from the airport.
Lisbon’s casino opened in 2006 on the banks of the Tagus River and quickly became a runaway success. It sits directly across from Lisbon’s famous aquarium, next to a large exhibition center, and within a short walk of Oriente Station (Estação do Oriente), the city’s main rail hub. That makes it an easy stop to work into a day of sightseeing.
The casino is very large and modern, spread across several floors. Like many casinos in Portugal and around the world, it offers far more than gambling. On weekends, there are performances, parties, or sometimes both. It’s also known as a lively place to watch sports together—especially soccer—with betting available on-site. Needless to say, the complex also includes two excellent restaurants and four very good bars.
If you’re spending a few nights in Lisbon, especially over a weekend, this is worth a visit even if gambling isn’t your thing. Come for the atmosphere alone and to experience one of Lisbon’s attractions alongside hundreds of other visitors.
Click here for more information and opening hours for Casino Lisboa…
Click here for our Lisbon accommodations guide…
Click here to find a place to stay in Lisbon…
2. Casino Estoril (a suburb of Lisbon next to Cascais)
The large and famous Casino Estoril is just a few minutes’ drive from central Cascais, a suburb of Lisbon. Estoril is the town right next to Cascais, the glamorous and charming seaside retreat known as the Lisbon Riviera. In a place like this—by the sea and among the well-known and wealthy circles of Lisbon—what could be more fitting than a grand, especially attractive casino?
Casino Estoril is one of the most famous casinos in Europe and has an international reputation. It opened here back in 1931. During World War II, when Portugal remained neutral, spies from all sides flocked to the casino—not only for entertainment, but also to gather intelligence. Those meetings at Casino Estoril inspired the book and film “Casino Royale,” one of the most successful James Bond stories.
This large casino offers all the familiar table games—roulette, blackjack, and more—along with hundreds of slot machines and poker as well, including cash games and occasional tournaments.
The casino also has three restaurants, one of them an Asian chef-led restaurant, along with three bars that make it a destination even for non-gamblers.
The casino area in Estoril includes several large resort-style hotels and modern buildings, making it an excellent place to stay when visiting the Cascais area.
Click here for more information and directions to classic Casino Estoril…
Click here for our full guide to Cascais – the Lisbon riviera…
Click here for a list of 11 excellent hotels in Cascais and Estoril…
Click here to find accommodations in Estoril…
3. Casino Espinho (Porto)
Porto’s main casino is in the southern seaside suburb of Espinho. Casino Espinho sits right by Praia da Baía Espinho, one of the main beaches for the city of Porto, especially lively in summer. The casino and beach are just 15 minutes from central Porto.
This is a fairly large casino housed in a multi-story building. The poker room opens from 8:00 PM, the other table games from 5:00 PM, and the 800 slot machines spread throughout the venue run during all casino opening hours.
Also on-site are four bars, including one on a terrace overlooking the sea, and two restaurants, one of which hosts a Las Vegas-style buffet every Friday featuring a great mix of Portuguese and Asian cuisine.
Click here for our Porto accommodations guide…
Click here to find a place to stay in Porto, the capital of northern Portugal…
4. Casino da Madeira
Casino da Madeira is located in Funchal, the capital, just behind the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum and near the exit from the cruise marina. It occupies a distinctive building with external supports, next to the large Pestana Casino Park hotel, and is surrounded by gardens.
The casino in Funchal has long been an entertainment center, not just a casino. It includes a restaurant, a well-known cocktail bar, and above all a famous nightclub that operates on weekends. There’s also an open-air live performance venue, and from there the night usually continues into the nightclub until the early hours.
Madeira’s casino is very close to central Funchal and makes an excellent place to start or end an evening in this wonderful city.
Click here for more information about Funchal’s wonderful casino…
Click here for our full guide to the one-of-a-kind island of Madeira…
Click here to find a place to stay in Funchal, Madeira’s capital, near the casino…
5. Casino Vilamoura (Algarve – southern Portugal)
In the heart of the western hotel district of Faro is the large and newer Casino Vilamoura.
The town of Vilamoura, about a 25-minute drive from the main airport serving Faro and southern Portugal, is a resort town through and through. Casino Vilamoura sits beside Vilamoura’s large, glamorous marina and next to roughly 10 hotels and resorts that welcome thousands of visitors coming to enjoy the beaches directly across the way.
As a casino in the heart of a beach and tourism area, it hosts plenty of events and performances, along with a nightclub. On weekends and holidays, things reach their peak.
The casino has several restaurants and bars, including the “Big Bar,” with its colorful ceiling that’s not to be missed. Beyond the table games and machines, there’s also a poker room open in the evening through closing time.
Click here to find accommodations at one of the excellent resorts around Casino Vilamoura…
Click here for a list of 9 highly recomended hotels in Vilamoura…
Click Here for our accommodation guide to the Algarve – south Portugal…
6. Casino Figueira in Figueira da Foz (seaside in central Portugal)
Casino Figueira is modern and housed in a large building with classic design elements. It’s relatively large, closely associated with the city itself, and draws many visitors. You’ll find it in Figueira da Foz, a city on Portugal’s central western coast known for its enormous beach.
Inside the casino building, there’s a bar, restaurant, and café, all at an excellent standard. There are also live performances, and around holidays you may catch shows by famous Portuguese singers. Even if there’s no event on the day you visit, we think you’ll enjoy stepping into the Salão Caffé lounge café, which preserves part of the casino’s past in a classic old-world style.
Figueira is well known as a summer beach destination, and the casino gives the vacation a place to continue after sunset. On weekends throughout the year, many people begin or end their evening at the casino, either before or after visiting one of the nearby bars and restaurants on streets such as R. Cândido dos Reis.
Click here for more information about Casino Figueira…
7. Casino de Chaves (Deep in the north of Portugal)
The Casino de Chaves complex is one of the main attractions in the city of Chaves (pronounced “shah-vesh”). The northern city of Chaves, known for its hot springs, has long been a wellness destination where many Portuguese visitors come to rest and enjoy treatments. The casino gives vacationers a place to go out in the evening.
The complex is fairly large and serves as an entertainment destination, not only a casino. It sits just outside town on a hill and also includes a wonderful hotel with an excellent spa, very much in keeping with the character of Chaves. The casino building is new, modern, and highly inviting. Within the complex are two restaurants and several bars. Thanks to its hilltop setting, it also enjoys excellent views over the town and surrounding area.
The casino has machines operating throughout opening hours, poker—especially on weekends—and table games that begin from 5:00 PM.
Click here to stay at the casino’s wonderful hotel in Chaves…
Click here for the complete guide to the northern city of Chaves…
