Pedro DominguesSagres was part of my itinerary through Algarve and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. My aim was mainly to admire the impressive cliffs near the fortress of Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente (“the end of the known world”) which are darker, more massive, rawer and more dramatic than those of places like Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa or Albufeira! 😉
There are many things to do in Sagres, and many beaches to visit, some of them ideal and sought after for their awesome waves for surfing. I highlight the following sights that impressed me during my time in the region:
- The Fortress of Sagres.
- Ponta da Atalaia.
- The Cape and Lighthouse of São Vicente.
- Viewpoint of Castelejo to the beaches of Castelejo and Cordoama.
- The Beach of Burgau.
- Salema Beach.
- And Murração Beach.
Do you want to know more about these and other places to visit in Sagres? 😉 Keep reading this article!
Where is Sagres located, in Portugal?
Sagres is part of Vila do Bispo municipality, in the extreme southwest of mainland Portugal, belonging to Algarve region, district of Faro. As neighbors, Sagres only has Aljezur and Lagos.
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Useful tips to visit Sagres
1. Rent a Car to visit Sagres
To visit Sagres, a car is really a must to explore the coast well. There is public transportation available to the center of the town, but a car will give you much more flexibility and help you move to other places around. I leave you a link to Discover Cars, that I always use in my travels to compare prices between rental companies and make my own car reservations.
2. How to get to Sagres?
As for how to get to Sagres, I mention that there is an airport in the south of Portugal, more precisely in Faro. I recommend using Skyscanner and Google Flights to do some research before buying your plane tickets, comparing prices and flight conditions.
If you are already travelling in Portugal, and want to use train connections or even buses, check Rome2Rio website, to find out your possibilities. There are trains to Lagos, for example, but from there you really need to pick a bus to Sagres, with Rede Expressos or Vamus Algarve. For trains in Portugal, check CP – Comboios de Portugal.
3. Travel Insurance to visit Sagres
To be protected against several types of travel hazards, I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Algarve, and I recommend to do it with World Nomads.
4. When to visit Sagres?
Sagres is a very windy region, which is excellent for practicing some sports. If you’re looking to surf, you can visit Sagres at any time of the year. If, on the other hand, you intend to do the Fisherman’s trail, consider avoiding the summer and its extreme heat.
With regard to festivities in the region, I leave you some tips below:
- Burgau Festivities, in honor of Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro (July 10th and 11th).
- The Festivities of Salema, in honor of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (August 7th and 8th).
- The Festivities of Barão de São Miguel, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of August.
- Sagres Festivities, in honor of Nossa Senhora da Graça, with a maritime parade to Cabo de São Vicente. August 14th and 15th.
- The Fair and Popular Festival of Raposeira. 2nd weekend of September.
- Festivities in honor of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in Vila do Bispo. December 8th.
- Don’t forget Sagres Monthly Flea Market, always on the 2nd Sunday of each month.
5. Visit Sagres walking the Fisherman’s Trail
There are 4 sections of the Fisherman’s Trail to be done near Sagres: two of them exclusively in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, the other two already shared with neighboring Lagos and Aljezur.
- 1st – Carrapateira (Aljezur) to Vila do Bispo
- 2nd – Vila do Bispo to Sagres
- 3rd – Sagres to Salema
- 4th – Salema to Praia da Luz in Lagos
I didn’t do any of these 4 walking routes, but I did the last section of the Fisherman’s Trail which is already in Lagos, starting in Praia da Luz and passing by Ponta da Piedade. Find out more in my article on things to do in Lagos, if you’re curious. 😉
6. What to eat and where to eat when visiting Sagres?
As far as food is concerned, in Sagres people opt for fish/seafood. Barnacles are very popular here, but there are also good dishes based on tuna, razor clams, octopus, squid, sardines, among others. Of course you can always opt for the seafood cataplana! 😉 For dessert there are some typical Algarve sweets to try: Morgados or Queijo de Figo, for example.
Below are good restaurants to try during your trip:
- Fishermen’s Retreat (Sagres)
- Restaurant A Sereia (Sagres)
- Adega dos Arcos (Sagres)
- Ribeira do Poço (Vila do Bispo)
7. Accommodation tips in Sagres
| Alojamento | Pontuação | Localização |
|---|---|---|
| Memmo Baleeira | 8.9 | Baleeira Beach (Sagres) |
| Martinhal Sagres Beach | 9.0 | Martinhal Beach (Sagres) |
| Pontalaia Apartamentos | 8.9 | Ponta da Atalaia (Sagres) |
| Casa Azul Sagres | 8.9 | Sagres Center |
| Cercas Velhas | 9.4 | Tonel Beach (Sagres) |
| Mareta Beach House | 8.7 | Mareta Beach (Sagres) |
| Wave Sensations | 8.8 | Tonel Beach (Sagres) |
| Sagres Time Apartamentos | 9.2 | Sagres Center |
| Tonel Apartamentos | 8.6 | Tonel Beach (Sagres) |
| Sagres Sun Stay | 8.8 | Sagres Center |
| Casa Maré | 9.5 | Baleeira Beach (Sagres) |
| PuraVida Divehouse | 8.8 | Baleeira Beach (Sagres) |
| Residencia Julio | 9.0 | Sagres Center |
| Casa GiGi | 9.3 | Sagres Center |
| Fonte Velha | 9.6 | Vila do Bispo |
| Flor de Esteva | 9.5 | Vila do Bispo |
| Abrigo das Nortadas | 8.9 | Vila do Bispo |
| Slow Village | 8.4 | Pedralva |
| Os Descobrimentos | 9.3 | Burgau Beach |
| Amarguinha | 9.3 | Burgau Beach |
| Salema Beach Village | 9.2 | Salema Beach |
| Hotel Residencial Salema | 8.6 | Salema Beach |
| Romantik Villa | 9.7 | Salema Beach |
Things to do in Sagres | Algarve
And now, all the things to do in Sagres and surrounding area. I’ll start by letting you know what to visit in town, and then I’ll move to other places such as Burgau, Salema, or even Vila do Bispo. 😉 Before that, a map with all the unmissable sights!
Map | Things to do in Sagres
Visit Ponta de Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
Ponta de Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente are located at the most southwestern point of continental Europe, in a strategic location between the Mediterranean and Atlantic sea routes. That’s why it was important to protect it in the past, for example, from attacks by corsairs and pirates.
Note that the name Sagres originated from the designation of Sacrum Promontorium (sacred cape), due to the fact that ancient legends refer to this place as being linked to the gods and to the cult of Saturn and Hercules.
1. Fortress of Sagres
The Fortress of Sagres was ordered to be built in the 15th century by Infante D. Henrique and quickly became a center of maritime activity, even receiving the name School of Sagres because cartographers, astronomers and sea historians from different parts of the world gathered here. There are those who say that Sagres was a place of great importance for the Portuguese discoveries.
A trip to Sagres must include a visit to this fortress. It’s basically a giant wall that crosses Sagres Cape and separates it from the village. There’s not much to see on the wall itself, but what lies ahead in terms of nature is incredible.
You pay a total of €3 to visit the Fortress, but in reality you are paying €3 to visit Sagres Cape, which is about 1km long. Things to do there, you ask? Here is a list of main sights:
- Discover the Square of Arms, where the giant Wind Rose Compass is located, and also the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, the Cistern, the house of the military governors, and the old warehouse and stable (today an auditorium). The Wind Rose is 50 meters in diameter and was built with stones. Some of the military governors of the fortress are buried in the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça.
- Walk to the isolated Lighthouse of Sagres, enjoying along the way the cliffs by the sea, and the lapiá fields, typical of limestone landscapes.
- Visit “The Voice of the Sea” next to the lighthouse. There are two caves, through which this “voice” is supposedly heard.
- Learn through the information panels about the local fauna and flora.
- Admire the Viewpoint of Sagres Cape, with poetry by Fernando Pessoa.
- See Ponta da Atalaia, Mareta beach and Puddles Beach in the distance, on one side of Sagres Cape.
- And of course, on the other side you can see Cabo de São Vicente in the distance, and the beaches of Tonel and Beliche stretching somewhere in between.
2. Sagres lighthouse
Sagres Lighthouse was inaugurated in 1894 to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Infante D. Henrique, responsible for building the Fortress of Sagres, and who also ended up dying here. Being a secondary lighthouse, when compared to the one in Cabo de São Vicente, from 1983 onwards it started to be remotely controlled.
3. Lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente – “end of the known world”
The name Cabo de São Vicente comes from a Spanish priest (São Vicente) who was persecuted, tortured and killed in the 4th century, and whose remains were found here.
The Lighthouse that stands today on this cape started out as a tower in the Convent of São Vicente, but the current structure was only built by order of D. Maria II in 1846. It was abandoned several years later, until it was finally restored and modernized, being today one of the most incredible lighthouses in Portugal.
Cabo de São Vicente was the last piece of land that the Portuguese discoverers always observed before leaving for the high seas. It was for many years considered as the end of the known world. The sunset here is extraordinary.
4. Fort of Santo António de Beliche
Not far from São Vicente Lighthouse there is a fort that was built with the aim of protecting fishermen in the area from attacks by pirates and corsairs. When I visited the place, it wasn’t the Fort of Santo António de Beliche that most impressed me, but the small coves that surround it, with brutally colored waters and jaw-dropping cliffs.
5. House of Handicrafts Mó
It is also impossible not to pass by the House of Handicrafts Mó. It is for sure one of the best things to do in Sagres, and you will definitely find it easily when taking the road from Sagres to Cabo de São Vicente. It’s all covered in colorful crockery.
6. Ponta da Atalaia in Sagres
Ponta da Atalaia is another protruding cape in the southwest of mainland Portugal, just like the ones mentioned above. Excellent views over Cape of Sagres.
7. Statue of Infante D. Henrique
The Statue of Infante D. Henrique appears somewhere near Mareta beach. Go visit it, as this was one of the most important figures in the Past of Sagres.
Visit the best beaches in Sagres
After visiting the sights above, it is time to go for some water activities in the best beaches of Sagres. You have to know at least some of the ones I’m going to mention.
1. Murração Beach
Murração Beach has precarious access via a dirt road. This makes the beach almost remote and almost empty of people, even in summer. It was one of the craziest beaches I’ve encountered, with zero infrastructure and almost no cell phone signal. Before reaching the beach there is a steep descent, so I recommend that you do it on foot. The beach had less than 10 people when I visited it, and half were nudists, although this is not an official beach for that.
I thought it was cool that there was a mist in the air, but then I realized that it is common on the beaches of Vicentine Coast, due to the strong waves and the presence of cliffs.
2. Castelejo and Cordoama Beaches
What stands out most about these two beaches is the viewpoint between them, on the top of the cliffs. You’ll find some images below, it’s the best view I found in Sagres region.
The two beaches have waves, but are supervised during the bathing season, with a blue flag and a cafe-restaurant with WC. Barnacles are caught here, and very famous around. As a curiosity, Castelejo Beach owes its name to the rock to the east of the beach, like a “castle”.
3. Telheiro Beach
Telheiro Beach stands out for the presence of the Geomonument of Ponta do Telheiro. The rocks found here have fantastic tones and shapes, and are geologically very important. It is also a virgin and isolated beach, with very few people going to it.
4. Beliche Beach
Beliche Beach is located between Cabo de São Vicente and Ponta de Sagres. Undoubtedly, the vertical cliffs of these two places, about 40 meters high, stand out in the landscape. This beach has a support bar and is supervised during the bathing season.
5. Tonel Beach
Tonel Beach is one of the best beaches in Sagres, for sure, and is very close to town. Next to it you will find the Fortress of Sagres, already mentioned, from where you will have a fabulous view. Due to its location, it does not lack support infrastructure.
6. Mareta Beach (and its fossils)
Mareta beach is on the other side of Sagres Cape when compared to Tonel Beach. It is also very close to town and its fossils stand out. Be sure to pass by “Pedra do Sal”, next to the pedestrian accesses at the center of the beach. This rock is actually a fossilized coral reef, still in the original location where it formed.
7. Baleeira Beach
Baleeira Beach deserves special attention due to two places that are close to it: Baleeira Lighthouse and Port. There you can get in touch with local fishermen and admire their vessels. The name of the beach is associated with whale fishing that was practiced here in the past. There is little beach support, even in summer.
8. Martinhal Beach
Martinhal Beach is very close to the previous one, so the landscape is very similar, however it has some islets that stand out. This is another of the best beaches in Sagres.
9. Salema Beach (and its dinosaur footprints)
I’m jumping to Salema Beach, but note that there are many other beaches between Martinhal and Salema that you can also visit, such as Barranco Beach, Ingrina Beach, Furnas Beach or Figueira Beach. These are just examples.
Salema beach is a special point next to Sagres for the dinosaur footprints carved in the rock next to the access to the beach.
10. Burgau Beach
Burgau Beach is for me one of the best beaches in this list, without a doubt. It is right in the border with Lagos and has a nice and authentic little town. Found a Teddy Bear fishing there with a tuna can, do you believe it? 😀 See the picture below.
Visit Vila do Bispo Town Center
Vila do Bispo Town Center is very simple and quick to visit. Add the following sights to your itinerary:
- The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which dates from the end of the 15th century, and Republic Square where it is located.
- The Interpretation Center of Vila do Bispo, located in the former “barnacle fish market” and slaughterhouse. Its urban art mural in honor of the discoveries stands out.
- The picturesque Rua dos Moinhos.
- The Garden at Tanegashima Square.
- And the New Fountain Square, with some tiles about the local history.
Other Things to do in Sagres
To finish, I leave you a list of places that may also deserve your attention when you visit this region of southern Portugal.
1. Visit Pedralva Village
Pedralva Village was suggested to me by several people when I visited Algarve. It is a very typical village of Sagres region, all whitewashed and with many local accommodations geared towards tourism. How about sleeping at Slow Village?
2. São Luís de Almádena Fort and Boca do Rio Biodiversity Station
In addition to the Fortress of Sagres or the Fortress of Beliche, I want you to know that there were many others in the region, from the 16th and 17th centuries. They were built to protect Algarve coast, but also to defend tuna fishing traps in the region, as was the case of São Luís de Almádena Fort in Boca do Rio. I found this fort in good condition, at least when compared to others in the region that are completely ruined.
When visiting Boca do Rio, be sure to visit the biodiversity station and the beach. That’s where 3 streams in the region flow: the stream of Vale Barão, the stream of Vale de Boi and the stream of Budens. The location is very pleasant, and there is a nice walk that can be done along the beach, about 2 km long.
3. Menhir of Padrão
The Menhir of Padrão is the main megalithic monument in Vila do Bispo and Sagres. It is believed to be associated with a village dating back to around 6500 years ago, making it one of the oldest megalithic monuments in Western Europe.
4. Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe stands out for the simple fact that it survived the 1755 earthquake, which makes it the oldest religious building in the Western Algarve. Its construction took place in the 15th/16th century.
Guided Tours in Algarve
See also the following examples of possible guided tours throughout Algarve region. Pay special attention to the sunset tour starting in Lagos and to the Coasteering Adventure with Cliff Jumping, Swimming and Climbing in Sagres! 😉 I’m sure you’ll find even more alternatives if you do your own research on Civitatis, Viator and Get Your Guide.
Guided Tours with Get Your Guide: 1 - Tavira Tuk Tuk City Tour 2 - Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour 3 - Portimão: Benagil Caves Speed Boat Tour with Sunset Option 4 - From Lagos: Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade 5 - From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour 6 - Benagil Caves and Secret Spots Guided Kayaking Tour 7 - 1-Hour Carrapateira Horseback Riding Tour 8 - From Albufeira: Half-Day Algarve Jeep Safari 9 - From Lagos: Kayaking and Boat Cave Explorer Tour 10 - Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour 11 - Portimão: Pirate Ship Cave Cruise 12 - Albufeira: Single, Double or Triple Parasailing Tour
Guided Tours with Viator: 1 - Dolphins and Benagil Caves from Albufeira 2 - Boat trip to the caves of Benagil (from Lagos) 3 - Benagil Caves Tour from Portimao 4 - Benagil Cave tour from Faro 5 - Benagil Long Boat tour (From Carvoeiro to Praia da Marinha) 6 - Boat Tour to Benagil Caves from Armacao de Pera 7 - Kayaking in Secret Algarve Benagil Caves 8 - Benagil Area Kayak and SUP (from Albufeira) 9 - Kayak Trip in Lagos and Ponta da Piedade 10 - Parasailing from Albufeira Marina by Boat 11 - Coasteering and Cliff Jumping Near Lagos 12 - 2 hour Off-Road Buggy Adventure Tour from Albufeira 13 - Jeep Safari in the Algarve Mountains (Albufeira) 14 - Sunset Tour on a Luxury Sailing Yacht from Vilamoura 15 - Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro 16 - Boat trip to the 3 Islands of Ria Formosa (Olhão) 17 - Classic Food Tour in Lagos 18 - Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira 19 - Tandem Skydiving in Algarve 20 - 2 Hour Surf Lesson at the Algarvian West Coast
Guided Tours with Civitatis: 1 - Tuk Tuk Tour in Tavira 2 - Benagil Caves Speed Boat Ride from Portimão 3 - Ponta da Piedade Caves Kayak Tour from Lagos 4 - Ponta da Piedade Caves Boat Trip from Lagos 5 - Albufeira Half Day Safari Tour 6 - Faro Walking Tour 7 - Parasailing in Albufeira 8 - Ria Formosa Eco Boat Trip from Faro 9 - Benagil Caves Boat Tour from Carvoeiro 10 - Deserta and Farol Islands Cruise from Faro 11 - Lagos Dolphin Watching or Dolphin Watching in Albufeira 12 - Sagres Coast Sunset Jeep Tour from Lagos
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope you enjoy visiting Sagres. 😉 If this article with Things to do in Sagres was useful for you, please send me your feedback below, in the comment section. Next, choose to visit the rest of Vicentine Coast Natural Park, or opt for some other regions of Algarve Coast.
