Sesimbra Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Sesimbra
Sesimbra is a fishing town, located 40 km south of Lisbon, which attracts the crowds with its incredible beaches.

Landmarks

Cape Espichel provides impressive ocean views over the Atlantic. It marks the southwestern edge of the Setúbal peninsula and home to some of the best-preserved dinosaur footprints to be found in Portugal. It’s also the location for the ‘Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo’ - an important pilgrimage destination. This 18th-century sanctuary bears the symbol of devotion to our Lady of the Cape (associated with the 14th century vision of the Virgin Mary by local fishermen). Inside the chapel the event is retold by a beautiful arrangement of tiles.

In 1715, guesthouses were built to host pilgrims that came to visit this church, known as ‘Círios Houses’. Outside the church stands a beautiful iconic image of the cross. The ‘Water House’ has a hexagonal shape and supplied this area with drinking water brought by aqueducts from Azóia, the nearest village. Inside the house, there’s a marble water source with beautiful motifs. There’s also a 32-metre-tall lighthouse in the area, which is open to the public. This is a fantastic area to visit and is just a 30-minute drive from Sesimbra town centre.

Castle Sesimbra is a beautiful castle, which stands on a cliff, providing amazing views of Sesimbra – well worth a visit.

Beaches

The beaches around Sesimbra can be divided into two groups: the beaches with powerful waves and wide flat sands on the edge of Meco, favoured by the surfers, and the calmer beaches on the edge of the Serra da Arrábida National Park. Whether you want an active or lazy beach break, Sesimbra has you covered.

Ouro’s Beach is a top spot for water sports, and also has a restaurant, bar and even a beach library. With ramp access, it’s great for visitors with disabilities. The Horse of Ribeira Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches, but its steep slope makes it a little more difficult to reach. If you want easy access, visit the Port of Sesimbra – there are a number of companies that offer boat transfers to the beach. Lagoa de Albufeira Beach is part of the National Ecological Reserve and is great for sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing and canoeing.

Food and Drink

Don’t miss out on the regions traditional dishes: fresh fish grilled on coals, swordfish with shrimp, fillets of fried black swordfish, octopus rice or swordfish stew with peas are some of the most popular dishes around – and for good reason. You can find some excellent restaurants and bars in Avenida dos Náufragos.

Don’t forget to leave room for desert. Broas of Alfarim are made of wheat flour, corn flour, fennel, cinnamon, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and lemon zest, baked into a tasty sweet. Beekeeping is a common activity in Sesimbra, so don’t miss out on the delicious, local honey.

Where to stay in Sesimbra

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Carrasqueira

While there might not be top attractions in Carrasqueira, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Setubal Peninsula and Sesimbra Beach.

Carrasqueira
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Serra da Azóia

While Serra da Azóia may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Meco Beach and Sesimbra Beach.

Serra da Azóia
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Apostiça

When in Apostiça, you can plan a visit to Setubal Peninsula and Aroeira Golf Club, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Apostiça
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Azóia

While Azóia isn't home to many top sights, Meco Beach and Sesimbra Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Azóia
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Charneca da Cotovia

While there might not be top attractions in Charneca da Cotovia, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Sesimbra Beach and Setubal Peninsula.

Charneca da Cotovia
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Quintola da Maca

When in Quintola da Maca, you can plan a visit to Praia da California and Sesimbra Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Quintola da Maca
Hotel Do Mar
Hotel Do Mar
4 out of 5
Rua General Humberto Delgado, 10, Sesimbra
The price is ฿3,711 per night from 19 May to 20 May
฿3,711
per night
19 May - 20 May
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.2/10 Very Good! (495 reviews)
Charming beach town
"Would stay again. 1966 hotel/conference center lovingly maintained. Very friendly staff Gorgeous beach views from the rooms and from the outdoor and indoor pool. Breakfast buffet has everything you might want."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2024

Hotel Do Mar
Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra
Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra
4 out of 5
Rua 4 de Maio, 50, Altinho De Sao Joao, Sesimbra
The price is ฿3,878 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿3,878
per night
17 May - 18 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (273 reviews)
Family getaway
"Fim de semana em família. Adoramos tudo. Quarto, muito confortável. Zona de piscina muito boa. Sossegado. Perto da praia. Oferecem serviço de shuttle gratuito para levar e ir buscar a praia. Pequeno almoço muito bom. Aconselho e sem dúvida a voltar. Agradeço desde já a recepção pelo late check out ..."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra
Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel
Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel
5 out of 5
Rua Navegador Rodrigues Soromenho, Sesimbra
The price is ฿5,385 per night from 28 May to 29 May
฿5,385
per night
28 May - 29 May
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa.
8.8/10 Excellent! (341 reviews)
"Quiet beautiful property friendly staff good food options near by and amazing views."

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sinerama Hotel Apartamento
Sinerama Hotel Apartamento
3 out of 5
Rua Marques De Pombal, 110, Sines
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge).
7.6/10 Good! (252 reviews)
"Was so much better than I expected. I did not use all that was offered."

Reviewed on 1 Dec 2023

Sinerama Hotel Apartamento
Crowne Plaza Caparica Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
Crowne Plaza Caparica Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Largo Aldeia Dos Capuchos, Costa De Caparica, Almada
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa.
9/10 Wonderful! (88 reviews)
"Perfect for a base to explore outside of the city centre"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Crowne Plaza Caparica Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
The Editory By The Sea Troia Comporta Hotel
The Editory By The Sea Troia Comporta Hotel
5 out of 5
Alameda do Pinheiro Manso, Grandola
Enjoy a beach locale, a marina and a casino.
7.8/10 Good! (98 reviews)
"Beautiful place to visit."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2023

The Editory By The Sea Troia Comporta Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sesimbra

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Sep 2019

It is a beautiful area with easy access to beaches and a laid back energy.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
6 Jul 2019

Very nice. Great beaches. Good choice of restaurants. Only things letting it down is the amount of building work going on. Sesimbra maybe very different in a few years time. Go now before it losses its charm.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Apr 2019

Fantastic beach. 1hr from Lisbon.

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