Alentejo & Algarve Beaches
Portugal
Portugal's southern Atlantic coast, from the long, uncrowded beaches of the Alentejo costa vicentina through the wild Sagres peninsula to the Algarve. This isn't the Mediterranean; it's the Atlantic with surfable waves, maritime history, pine and rosemary dunes, and beaches so remote that access tracks are unmarked. The drive takes in the finest beaches in Portugal's least developed coastline.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Vila Nova de Milfontes
A whitewashed Alentejo village at the Mira river mouth, with a headland castle and the best surf on Portugal's southwest coast.
- Odeceixe
A clifftop village above a river-mouth beach of extraordinary beauty. A freshwater stream crosses the sand into Atlantic surf; cooler than the Algarve in summer.
- Aljezur
A Moorish castle town above sweet potato farmland, gateway to remote Costa Vicentina beaches at Arrifana and Monte Clérigo. Tuesday market for local produce.
- Sagres
The windswept end of Europe. Henry the Navigator's fortress planned the Age of Discovery; Atlantic cliffs surround it on three sides.
- Lagos
A 15th-century walled city and launchpad of Portugal's exploration era. The gilded Baroque interior of Santo António and Ponta da Piedade sea stacks are unmissable.
- Praia da Rocha
A wide golden beach beneath terracotta rock formations with a 16th-century fort at the headland. Portimão's sardine festival in August is the Algarve's best food event.
- Cacela Velha
A near-perfect medieval village above a Ria Formosa lagoon, a watchtower, a whitewashed church, and the quietest view east to Spain on the Algarve.
Where to Eat
- RitualSeafood
Offers fresh seafood dishes with a modern twist, overlooking the Mira River in Vila Nova de Milfontes.
- Taberna do GabãoPortuguese
Traditional Portuguese tavern known for its hearty Alentejo cuisine and rustic ambiance in Odeceixe.
- Restaurante O PauloSeafood
Renowned for its fresh fish and seafood, offering panoramic ocean views in Arrifana near Aljezur.
- A SagresPortuguese
Family-run restaurant serving traditional Portuguese dishes with a focus on local ingredients in Sagres.
Things to Do
- Fortaleza de SagresHistoric Site
Historic fortress offering insights into Portugal's maritime history and stunning coastal views in Sagres.
- Ponta da PiedadeScenic Viewpoint
Dramatic cliffs and rock formations providing breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.
- Praia de OdeceixeBeach
Unique beach where the Seixe River meets the sea, offering both river and ocean swimming options in Odeceixe.
- Forte de São ClementeHistoric Site
17th-century fort overlooking the Mira River, offering historical insights and scenic views in Vila Nova de Milfontes.