Walking Portugal's Coast and Beaches

This trip starts in the seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located in the heart of the beautiful Alentejo coastline approx 2 hrs from Faro and 2.5 hrs from Lisbon. Still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, the town is delightfully Portuguese, filled with cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and scenic views across the Mira River. It is also the start point of incredible coastal trails leading to vast stretches of wild and deserted beaches. Despite its remote location, it has an extensive selection of restaurants, and a lively nightlife making it a perfect base for the first three days of the tour.

Small fishing harbours, sand dunes, the scent of pine tree forests and the sight, seen nowhere else in the world, of storks nesting on the cliffs make this today's walk truly special. We start with a short transfer (approx. 20mins) to Cabo Sardão lighthouse which was peculiarly built the wrong way round. The entry door is facing the ocean and the lighthouse is facing inland! This is the start of today's trail which follows the high cliffs exposed to the constant salty ocean waves and winds, and favourite nesting spot for over twenty species of bird. These include the Jackdaw, Shag, Common Kestrel, White Stork, and the Peregrine Falcon, the fastest recorded animal in the world,  reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h when diving. We will have time to stop and watch these birds, especially during spring, when it is possible to quietly observe their mating rituals and the careful building of their nests. We pass Lapa das Pombas, a tiny non-commercial fishing harbour, before concluding the walk in the sleepy seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar and its wonderful beach. In the afternoon we return to Vila Nova de Milfontes by transfer (approx. 30mins).

Today is a free day to choose from the many optional activities available in the area. You may decide to go on a self-guided circular walk passing the beaches of Monte Clérigo, Pontal da Atalaia​, as well as the famous surfing ​beach of Arrifana​. Alternatively you may book a surfing class or a horse riding excursion along the spectacular coastline. Whilst your tour leader will not acompany you on your free day, they will be able to help you book the optional activities. We also suggest a visit to the small market town of Aljezur, famous for its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets and dominated by the ruins of a tenth century Moorish castle.

Surrounded by foaming Atlantic breakers, Cabo de Sao Vicente marks the most south-westerly point of Europe. The final walk from Sagres out to the edge of the continent should prove to be one of the highlights of the week. Surrounded by coastal scenery, we follow a wild trail along sandy paths and gorse-strewn meadows to the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula. Setting off from our hotel, we make our way to the start point of our walk, near Beliche Beach. We set out across towering cliffs and ravines covered with native vegetation. We pass by the golden beach of Beliche, and, then after a short section inland, Telheiro beach, a place of extraordinary geological interest thanks to the rock composition of the cliffs. The last section of the path continues along the cliff top before a memorable arrival at Cape St. Vincent where we find a lighthouse, museum and small bar offering wonderful photo opportunities. It's only a short transfer (5 mins) back to Sagres where we can choose to visit the imposing sea fortress at sunset or relax with a cold drink on the waterfront, watching fishermen mending their nets. You may decide to book an optional dolphin-watching excursion along the coast (weather and season dependent).