Sagres

Day 1: Settle in at Europe’s edge

Sagres greets you with cliffs, big skies and the smell of the Atlantic. Ease into the rhythm of tides and wind while you get oriented and pick your first sessions based on the day’s conditions.

• Morning: Grab coffee and a pastel at a local café, then pop into a surf shop to check today’s swell, tide and wind; buy wax and get local intel. If seas are calm, stretch your legs with an easy beach walk along Mareta and a quick dip (lifeguards June–September; follow flag colours).
• Midday: Join a guided sea-kayak or SUP cave/coast tour from the south side if the west is punchy; sheltered Mareta/Ingrina are ideal, with clear water and low wind earlier in the day. Expect 2–3 hours on the water; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
• Afternoon: Explore the headland trail and ramparts of Fortaleza de Sagres for huge views of Tonel and Beliche; watch how tide height changes the banks. If you’re keen, book tomorrow’s surf or wind lesson now (group surf €40–€60; private €80–€120).
• Evening: Drive to Cape St. Vincent for sunset at the “end of the world,” then celebrate with a post-surf mini at a simple tasca. Summer tip: reserve dinner and park early; winds can be brisk near the lighthouse.

Day 2: West-coast waves and wind-powered afternoons

With swell wrapping the peninsula, mornings are for surf before the Nortada builds. Use the afternoon breeze at Martinhal for wind or wing sessions on flat water.

• Morning: Dawn patrol at Tonel for consistent beach-break peaks (often best mid-to-high tide); intermediates/advanced can sample Beliche if banks line up and currents are manageable. Beginners can head with a school to Amado/Cordoama where there’s space to spread out; a 3/2mm wetsuit in summer, 4/3–5/4mm in cooler months.
• Midday: Refuel in town, review a few clips if your school offers video coaching, and protect the shoulders with a stretch session. Parking gets tight by late morning in summer—leave the dunes undisturbed and stick to marked areas.
• Afternoon: Harness the Nortada at Martinhal with a windsurf, kitesurf or wing-foil lesson; it’s typically offshore and groomed here. Non-windy or family option: gentle SUP across the bay or out to the Martinhal islets with a guide for snorkelling.
• Evening: Seafood by the harbour at Baleeira and a stroll along Mareta under big skies. Check tomorrow’s tide windows (range 2–3 m) and set a plan: west early if calm, south later if windy.

Day 3: Hidden gems, reefs and rugged coastline

Go exploring like a local: chase the best tide-and-swell match-up, then slow down on a quiet cove. End with cliffs and stars, and leave only footprints.

• Morning: Advanced surfers make the dirt-track mission to Ponta Ruiva for a quality left on the right swell (rocky bottom; experienced only, be respectful). If a solid winter swell is running, try Zavial’s right point; on small summer days, cruise longboard lines at Mareta.
• Midday: Snorkel the clear cove at Ingrina or book a harbour-run dive with a certified centre to caves/reefs or a nearby wreck (typical water 16–20°C; choose 5–7mm in winter, 3–5mm in summer). Alternative for non-divers: coastal picnic and a nap in the shade.
• Afternoon: Pick an adventure: guided coasteering along the cliffs, or a two-hour SUP to the Martinhal islands if it’s calm. Not into water today? Hike a section of the Costa Vicentina for sweeping views of empty beaches and sea stacks.
• Evening: Golden-hour watch at Beliche’s amphitheatre of cliffs, then tapas in town. Toast the trip with a final mini and, if you’re in a van, use designated motorhome areas—local enforcement is active and dunes are protected.

By Air

• Faro Airport (FAO): closest major airport (about 115 km). Driving time roughly 1 hr 30 mins. Public transport typically involves bus/taxi to Faro city, train to Lagos (about 1 hr 45 mins), then bus to Sagres (60–90 mins).
• Lisbon Airport (LIS): about 330 km; around 3 hr 30 mins by car. By public transport: train Lisbon–Tunes–Lagos (about 3 hr 45–4 hr 30) then bus to Sagres; or direct coach to Sagres (about 4 hr 30–5 hr).
• Seville Airport (SVQ, Spain): about 275 km; roughly 3 hrs by car. Public transport generally via coach to Lagos and onward bus to Sagres.

By Train

• No rail station in Sagres. The nearest station is Lagos (end of the Algarve line).
• From Lisbon: Intercity/Alfa Pendular to Tunes, change to regional train to Lagos (about 3 hr 45–4 hr 30).
• From Faro: regional train to Lagos (about 1 hr 45–2 hrs).
• From Lagos to Sagres: regional bus (about 60–90 mins).

By Bus

• Long-distance coaches: direct services from Lisbon (usually from Sete Rios; some from Oriente) to Sagres take about 4 hr 30–5 hr.
• From Faro: coach or train to Lagos, then regional bus to Sagres (total about 3–4 hrs depending on connections).
• Regional services: frequent buses Lagos–Vila do Bispo–Sagres operated within the Algarve; allow 60–90 mins. Lagos bus terminal is near the train station for easy interchange.

By Car

• From Faro: A22 motorway west towards Lagos/Vila do Bispo, then N268 to Sagres (about 1 hr 30 mins).
• From Lisbon: A2 then A22 to Vila do Bispo, N268 to Sagres (about 3 hr 30 mins).
• Typical drives: Lagos–Sagres about 35–40 mins; Portimão–Sagres about 1 hr.
• The A22 uses electronic tolls; ensure your hire car has a transponder or arrange payment. Parking in Sagres and at nearby beaches can be tight in peak summer—arrive early.

By Taxi/Transfer

• Private airport transfers from Faro to Sagres take about 1 hr 30 mins; typical fares from roughly €110–€150 one way (1–4 passengers). Pre‑book for late arrivals.
• Shared shuttle services run seasonally from Faro Airport; cheaper but slower (often 2–3 hrs with drop‑offs).