Pedro DominguesIf you’re a seaside enthusiast, get ready for the paradises you’ll discover in Sesimbra region of Portugal. The breathtaking natural landscapes, set against the imposing backdrop of Serra da Arrábida, offer a very relaxing atmosphere. Hypnotizing green waters contrast spectacularly with the inviting golden sands of the beaches.
Sesimbra, located in Setúbal Peninsula, provides a magical setting for sunny seaside days. Here, you’ll find a variety of aquatic activities, from thrilling boat tours observing dolphins to exploring the captivating caves of Cabo Espichel. Ever thought of a scuba diving baptism?
Meco is known for its wild dunes and extensive sandy areas, offering plenty of space for your beach towel. Notably, some of Meco’s beaches are popular destinations for naturists, promising a unique connection with nature.
Regardless of your preference, unforgettable memories await you in Sesimbra. And, of course, you won’t be able to resist the delicious local cuisine, where fresh fish and seafood take center stage.
Get ready to explore the best beaches of Sesimbra.
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When to visit the Best Beaches in Sesimbra
Ideally, you should plan your trip to Sesimbra during the spring or summer months, depending on your desired activities.
- For those planning hikes in Serra da Arrábida, spring offers a milder climate, making strenuous walks more manageable. It’s essential to avoid hiking during rainy weather, as the trails can become slippery and the cliffs more unstable.
- If you’re looking forward to ocean swims or relaxing beach days in Sesimbra, summer is your best bet. However, be prepared for larger crowds as this destination has grown increasingly popular for vacationers in Portugal.
- You can schedule boat trips and other water activities any time of the year. Still, remember that tour agencies typically require a minimum number of participants. Booking your activities in advance allows agencies time to assemble a group you can join, if you don’t have the minimum requirement.
How to get to the best beaches in Sesimbra?
Access to Meco’s beaches is quite straightforward, with dirt or paved roads leading close to them and easily navigated by car. In Sesimbra, the beaches in the town center are the most accessible. All others require a cliffside walk or a boat transfer from Sesimbra’s port.
The most convenient way to reach Sesimbra’s beaches is via a Taxi Boat service. Prices vary according to your target beach, so it’s better to confirm them directly on the respective boat company websites. Remember to book in advance, even during summer, although boats typically depart from Sesimbra’s Espadarte dock every 30 minutes in that season.
Consider the following boat agencies for the Taxi Boat service. All have physical establishments near Sesimbra Naval Club and Port, so you can also visit them directly on-site.
Tours and Activities to visit the Best Beaches in Sesimbra
Regarding the activities available to explore the best beaches in Sesimbra, the companies I previously mentioned may also offer these, so I recommend reaching out to them if this is what you’re seeking. I personally conducted all my activities in Sesimbra with Vertente Natural and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
There’s a wide variety of activities catering to all preferences, from kayak tours to boat trips for exploring many beaches and caves, and even dolphin watching. For thrill-seekers, there are more adventurous options like coasteering or scuba diving. 😉
Some suggestions with Get Your Guide, Viator and Civitatis: 1 - Arrábida Natural Park Secret Beaches and Caves 2 - Ribeira do Cavalo Beach and Caves Boat Tour 3 - Arrábida Natural Park: Coasteering Trip with Speedboat Ride 4 - Arrábida Natural Park Kayak and Caves Tour 5 - From Lisbon: Arrabida Park Small Group Kayak Tour 6 - Dolphin Watching and Boat Tour in Sesimbra 7 - Kayak tour to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves 8 - Beginner's Scuba Dive in Arrabida Natural Park
Accommodation tips to visit the best Beaches in Sesimbra
If you haven’t yet booked your Sesimbra accommodations, consider doing so now. Follow my suggestions below or click the blue button to conduct your own search for available lodging during your trip dates! Sesimbra is a sought-after destination in the summer, so book early!
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sesimbra Hotel & Spa | 8.6 | Sesimbra |
| Four Points by Sheraton | 8.7 | Sesimbra |
| SANA Sesimbra Hotel | 8.3 | Sesimbra |
| Casa Teresinha | 9.5 | Sesimbra |
| Vila de Sol | 9.5 | Sesimbra |
| Buganvilias Do Meco | 9.4 | Meco |
Best Beaches in Sesimbra and Meco
Moving on to the main topic of this article, the best beaches in Sesimbra, I will mention 7 beaches in Sesimbra (plus 2 extra), and 6 beaches in and around Meco.
Best Beaches in Sesimbra
1. California Beach
California Beach, centrally located in Sesimbra, offers plentiful parking. If you’re unable to park on the 25th of April Avenue, the California Square parking lot provides multi-level paid spaces for hundreds of vehicles.
To the west of Santiago de Sesimbra Fort, you’ll find California Beach, while Ouro Beach lies to its east. Both of these beaches offer a host of amenities including a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes. They are located right on the town center. A pedestrian walkway extends to the end of Ouro Beach, leading to Sesimbra’s maritime port, the departure point for tourist boats.
- Nearby hotels are, for example, Sesimbra Hotel & Spa and SANA Sesimbra Hotel.
2. Ouro Beach
3. Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach
Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach was a hidden treasure on Portugal’s coast until recently. It was an untouched gem and a true paradise for those brave enough to hike through Serra da Arrábida to find it.
Nowadays it’s very much well-known and unlikely to be as deserted, tranquil, and quiet as it once was. Today, it’s one of the main tourist attractions in Sesimbra, and getting there doesn’t even require a walk anymore. Instead, you can take a quick water taxi from the village port, as previously mentioned in this article.
It remains one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches. However, if you’re seeking more secluded spots, the following beaches, just as untamed, are worth considering.
Note: For the walking trail to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach, I suggest parking your car at these coordinates. From there, it's a 1.5km walk to the beach, totaling 3km round trip. The most challenging part is the descent to the beach, but it's manageable, even for kids.
4. Cova da Mijona Beach
Both Cova da Mijona and Inferno Beaches are extremely challenging to reach on foot, unlike Ribeiro do Cavalo. The trail is strenuous and potentially dangerous, especially for those unaccustomed to mountain hiking. I strongly recommend opting for water taxis for these beaches, given the risky, steep paths along the cliffs.
I’m offering two hiking alternatives for visiting Cova da Mijona and Inferno Beaches. One includes a route through Ribeiro do Cavalo (about 12km round trip), and the other starts and ends in Aldeia Nova, visiting only the first two beaches (approximately 6.5km round trip).
When you embark on a boat tour through Sesimbra’s coast, you’ll pass by all these secluded beaches, though you won’t disembark onto the sand. This offers an alternative to explore them from the sea before relaxing on the more accessible and central ones.
Specifically, Cova da Mijona Beach is notable for its small white house by the sand, once used by fishermen. It is privately owned today, and occasionally serves as a vacation spot for the owners, despite lacking electricity or water. Intriguing, isn’t it? The house owners sure are lucky!
5. Inferno Beach
6. Porto da Baleeira Beach
Porto da Baleeira Beach also requires either a hike or a water taxi to reach. However, the hike isn’t as challenging as for the previous beaches. The trail is around 4km (round trip) if you’re only heading to the beach. Some visitors opt to extend their walk to explore the ruins of the nearby Baralha Fort, perched on the cliffs.
This beach is a favored spot for scuba diving initiations. So if you plan on trying scuba diving during your stay in Sesimbra, this could be your place to do it.
7. Lagosteiros Beach
Porto da Baleeira Beach is the last stop before reaching Cabo Espichel in the sequence I’ve presented. Conversely, Lagosteiros Beach is the first spot you’ll encounter north of the cape.
To visit this beach requires a hike, but if you’re content with a distant view, you can get a great perspective from the Ermida da Memória viewpoint at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Cabo Espichel.
The previous link provides a route to explore the most important places of Cabo Espichel, not only this beach but also the sanctuary and the natural monuments of Pedra da Mua and Lagosteiros, where you can see dinosaur footprints from the Jurassic period.
A word of caution: Cabo Espichel is often extremely windy, so be extra careful when nearing the cliff edges. The fall risk is greatly heightened!
Extra 1 – Vale Covo and Cramesines Beaches
To conclude the section on Sesimbra, I’m offering two additional trails, though keep in mind that the beaches mentioned earlier are superior to these. Instead of sand, you’ll encounter rocks at these locations. My recommendation is to hike without descending to the beaches, taking in the magnificent landscape from the cliff tops.
I haven’t tackled this route yet, so the most guidance I can provide is the map below, which I discovered on Wikiloc.
Extra 2 – Calhau da Cova Beach
On the other side of Sesimbra, if you’re heading towards Portinho da Arrábida, there’s a beach similar to Vale Covo and Cramesines. I haven’t yet visited, so here’s a Wikiloc trail suggestion you might follow.
Descending to Calhau da Cova Beach can be an adventure, as it involves navigating 120 steps carved into rock! However, don’t mistake steps for an easy trail. These steps lack guardrails, so you’ll always be near a precipice. The round trip totals approximately 6km, including a detour to an old fortress.
Best Beaches in Meco
As for the top beaches in Meco, all of them are located to the north of Cabo Espichel. Remember that Meco is part of Sesimbra municipality, so these beaches are also among the finest beaches in Sesimbra. The difference is the powerful waves you’ll find here.
1. Rebenta Bois Beach
Traveling from south to north, the first beach you’ll encounter is Rebenta Bois Beach (I’m not sure about the origins of its name, so if you have any insights, please share them in the comments). It’s a small beach with a shell-like shape, as you can observe in the image below.
2. Foz Beach
Foz Beach is situated near the previous one, and the same dirt road atop the cliff provides access. However, for Foz Beach, you can drive your car close to the sandy area. The wild ambiance is clearly evident in the picture below, wouldn’t you agree?
3. Bicas Beach
Continuing north, you’ll reach Bicas Beach. Here, you begin to experience the expansive sandy areas of Meco, large and uninterrupted to the north. This beach marks the start of the group of Meco’s expansive beaches!
4. Meco’s naturist beaches (Rio da Prata and Tramagueira)
Given the large beaches in Meco region, naturists realized they could serve as excellent sanctuaries. To the north of Bicas Beach, you’ll find two naturist beaches: Rio da Prata and Tramagueira. Access to these beaches always requires a walk, so only those who truly wish to enjoy the beach and sea au naturel will visit. Meco is the country’s most famous region for practicing naturism.
5. Moinho de Baixo Beach
Finally, there’s Moinho de Baixo Beach, the main and most centrally located beach in Meco. It’s arguably the busiest beach in Sesimbra municipality, with plenty of space for all visitors to lay out their towels.
Interestingly, most people know this beach as Meco Beach, despite Meco comprising several beaches. Note that the sea here is usually turbulent due to deep waters near the shoreline.
6. Albufeira Lagoon Beach
I conclude this list of beaches with Albufeira Lagoon Beach, which in fact subdivides into three: Lagoon Beach – Sea, Lagoon Beach – River, and Boca Velha Beach, the latter north of the lagoon’s mouth to the ocean.
Albufeira Lagoon closely resembles another lagoon in Portugal: Óbidos Lagoon in Foz do Arelho. It’s also extensive and connected to the sea, although this connection sometimes has to be manually opened to maintain its biodiversity, which depends on water change for survival. Did you know this is Portugal’s deepest lagoon? It can reach depths of 15 meters (49 feet)!
Undoubtedly, it’s a spectacular beach and a must-visit spot in Meco and Sesimbra. Somewhere within the lagoon, you’ll discover mussel huts and numerous fishermen small boats. Don’t forget to check them out and strike up a conversation with the locals! 😉
Another significant attraction of Albufeira Lagoon is its birdlife, so remember to pack your binoculars. There’s even a dedicated area for birdwatching: the Lagoa Pequena Interpretive Center.
Map with the Best Beaches in Sesimbra
Don’t forget Travel Insurance
Also, consider getting travel insurance when visiting Portugal, especially if you plan on engaging in hiking and more adventurous water sports in Sesimbra. Opt for prevention against any potential mishaps!
More about Central Portugal and Alentejo
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