Costa Vicentina

Day 1: Odeceixe, Aljezur and the river-meets-sea beaches Ease into the wild coast where rivers curl through dunes to reach the Atlantic. You’ll balance calm-water time on the river with cliff-backed surf beaches and a taste of Aljezur’s historic hill town.

• Morning: Time your visit to Odeceixe for mid-to-high tide on the river side for paddleboarding or a kid-friendly swim, then walk to the ocean side for a bracing dip. If you practise naturism, slip round to adjacent Adegas (official naturist beach) via the cliff steps or at low tide.
• Midday: Drive 15 minutes to Aljezur’s old town; climb the Moorish castle for coast-and-valley views, then lunch on grilled fish or the famed sweet potato dishes. In peak summer, this is a cooler, calmer break from the beach wind.
• Afternoon: Head to Amoreira or Monte Clérigo; both bloom at low tide with rock pools and broad sands. If the Nortada picks up, favour Arrifana’s sheltered bay for a beginner/intermediate surf lesson (book ahead in summer; look for lifeguard flags).
• Evening: Sunset from Monte Clérigo’s promenade or Arrifana’s clifftop miradouro, watching long-period sets roll in. Dine in Aljezur or at a simple beach café; carry a layer—the breeze bites after dark even in July.

Day 2: Carrapateira dunes, Bordeira and Amado Today is about big skies, migrating sands and textbook Atlantic surf. Carrapateira sits between two of the coast’s most emblematic beaches, linked by clifftop trails with constant sea views.

• Morning: Arrive early at Bordeira for a dune-boardwalk loop and a wander along the river-lagoon; it’s serene before the wind rises and great for birdlife in spring/autumn. Check tide times—the river mouth and sandbars reshape dramatically between low and high water.
• Midday: Move to Amado for a surf lesson or a relaxed beach picnic; it’s consistent year-round and well set up, but parking fills by late morning in August. Beginners do best on smaller summer swells; in winter, only confident surfers should paddle out.
• Afternoon: Walk the Fishermen’s Trail segment along the cliffs between Amado and Bordeira (allow 2–3 hours with photo stops; stay on marked paths and clear of unstable cliff edges). If it’s blowing hard, drop to the sand for a leeward stroll instead.
• Evening: Dinner in Carrapateira—try percebes when in season, or a simple cataplana. Stargaze on a clear night, then return to your booked accommodation—wild camping and sleeping in vans in beach car parks are fined inside the Natural Park.

Day 3: Sagres peninsula and secret coves Finish at Europe’s south-western tip, where legends, lighthouses and raw Atlantic energy converge. Mix a remote-cove morning with Sagres’ fortress clifftops and a finale at the “end of the world”.

• Morning: For solitude, descend to Barriga and walk the sand to Cordoama at low tide (check a tide table so you’re not cut off). Alternatively, pick Murração for a wilder feel via a rough track—bring all water and stay well back from the cliff base.
• Midday: Roll into Sagres for lunch; the fortress gives sweeping views over Tonel’s heavy surf and the coast locals have watched for centuries. On cooler days, this is a perfect cultural break from the beach.
• Afternoon: Choose Beliche for a more sheltered swim (steep stairs; avoid sitting under the cliffs), or watch experienced surfers at Tonel when the swell is up. Families should stick to lifeguarded zones in summer and heed red/yellow flags.
• Evening: Drive to Cabo de São Vicente for a story-soaked sunset and the ravens of Saint Vincent lore. Celebrate with seafood in Sagres; if you’re here on 29 August, some villages mark Banho 29 with evening dips—join only where it’s supervised and conditions are safe.

Notes for all days

• Check tábua de marés (tide tables) daily; many coves are only passable at low tide.
• The Nortada often rises after late morning; plan swims/surf early, hikes later with windbreaks.
• Never turn your back on the Atlantic; if caught in a rip, swim parallel to shore to exit the current.
• Roads to remote beaches can be unpaved; drive slowly and avoid after heavy rain. Bring cash for small cafés and paid parking where applicable.

By Air

• Faro (FAO): closest hub. Typical drives — to Sagres 1h30–1h40; Vila do Bispo 1h20–1h30; Aljezur 1h20–1h30; Odemira ~2h. Airport bus to Faro city, then train/bus if not hiring a car.
• Lisbon (LIS): larger network. Typical drives — to Odemira 2h15–2h30; Aljezur ~3h; Vila do Bispo/Sagres 3h30–3h45. Metro/bus to Sete Rios or Oriente for long‑distance coaches/trains.
• Porto (OPO): least convenient; ~5h+ drive or fly to Faro/Lisbon then connect by train/bus.

By Train

• No rail reaches the coastal towns (Sagres, Aljezur, Vila do Bispo, Odemira). Use nearest stations, then bus/taxi.
• To Lagos (for the Algarve stretch): from Lisbon (Entrecampos/Oriente) ~4h with a change at Tunes; from Faro ~1h45. From Lagos, connect by bus to Vila do Bispo, Sagres, Carrapateira and Aljezur.
• To Funcheira/Amoreiras‑Odemira (for Odemira area): Intercidades from Lisbon ~2h10–2h30; onward 20–30 min by taxi/bus to Odemira. Check timetables on cp.pt. Services are less frequent off‑season.

By Bus

• Long‑distance coaches (Rede Expressos, FlixBus) link major cities:
  • Lisbon (Sete Rios/Oriente) to Odemira ~3h; Aljezur ~3h30–4h; Vila do Bispo ~3h45–4h15; Sagres ~4h15–4h45 (some services require a change, often in Lagos or Portimão).
  • Faro to Lagos ~2h by bus (or 1h45 by train), then local bus to Sagres/Vila do Bispo/Aljezur. Occasional seasonal/direct coaches may run; otherwise change in Lagos.
• Local Algarve buses (Vamus Algarve) connect Lagos with Sagres, Vila do Bispo, Carrapateira and Aljezur. Frequencies drop on weekends/holidays.

By Car

• Most flexible option for remote beaches and trailheads.
• Main routes: A22 (Via do Infante) toll motorway across the Algarve; N125 (east–west Algarve); N268 (Vila do Bispo–Sagres) and N120 (Aljezur–Odemira).
• Typical drives: Lisbon–Odemira 2h15–2h30 (A2/IC33); Lisbon–Aljezur ~3h (A2/A22/N120); Lisbon–Sagres ~3h30–3h45 (A2/A22/N268); Faro–Sagres 1h30–1h40 (A22/N268); Faro–Aljezur 1h20–1h30 (A22/N120).
• A22 uses electronic tolls; hire cars are equipped, private vehicles need a transponder/payment setup.
• Many beach access roads are unpaved; parking is limited in summer; overnight camping/parking in the Natural Park is prohibited and fined.