Costa Vicentina (Southwest Coast)
Europe's wildest Atlantic coast: cliff-top trails, surf beaches and Cape St. Vincent.
Photo: Hteixeira, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Odemira · Sines
Night: Vila Nova de MilfontesVila Nova de Milfontes
A white town at the mouth of the River Mira, with both river and ocean beaches. Praia das Furnas lies on the opposite bank.
Porto Covo and Pessegueiro Island (Ilha do Pessegueiro)
A fishing village of white houses and little coves hidden between the cliffs.
Odemira
Night: Vila Nova de MilfontesFishermen's Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores): Almograve – Zambujeira
The most famous stretch of the Rota Vicentina, running along the clifftops the whole way. Walking just part of it is also worthwhile.
Cabo Sardão
The only place in the world where storks nest on sea cliffs.
Zambujeira do Mar
A village set on the clifftop. Try the local goose barnacles (percebes).
Aljezur
Night: AljezurOdeceixe Beach
A beach where the stream meets the sea, with calm water on one side and waves on the other.
Aljezur and its Castle
A Moorish castle above the town. Home of the sweet potato.
Amoreira Beach
A wild beach among the dunes at the mouth of the Aljezur stream.
Aljezur · Vila do Bispo
Night: AljezurArrifana Beach
A shell-shaped bay ringed by cliffs, one of the best surf beaches in Europe.
Bordeira Beach and Carrapateira
A huge stretch of sand with dunes and a boardwalk along the Carrapateira cliffs.
Amado Beachoptional
A surf beach with schools for beginners.
Sagres
Night: SagresSagres Fortress (Fortaleza de Sagres)
A headland linked to Prince Henry the Navigator and his school of navigation.
Beliche Beach
A sheltered beach at the foot of a long staircase, between golden cliffs.
Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente)
The ancients' «end of the world»: a lighthouse above 70 m cliffs. Have «the last sausage before America».