Portugal Coast Hike

Our adventure begins in Lisbon, Portugal, where we’ll gather as a group at your hotel in Lisbon. From there, we’ll journey to Quinta da Regaleira, a magnificent century-old estate with enchanting gardens in Sintra. This romantic village, set in the heart of the Sintra-Cascais National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and our home for the night. The park is a remarkable blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, offering a mix of mountains, forests, lakes, sand dunes, and a dramatic coastline of cliffs and beaches. Its landscapes are dotted with palaces, manor houses, and meticulously landscaped gardens that highlight the coexistence of nature and human creativity.

Next, we’ll take a short drive to Peninha Sanctuary, perched in a breathtaking location and home to a 16th-century chapel and the ruins of the 12th-century São Saturnino Hermitage. From this serene spot, we’ll hike downhill along scenic trails to Guincho Beach and pause for a late lunch nearby. The vistas during this hike are truly spectacular. This evening, we’ll savor the flavors of local cuisine. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight: 5-star Pestana Cidadela Cascais (or another Hotel of similar standing).  The Hike: Peninha to Guincho/Cresmina: 10.5 km | 6.5 miles; duration: ca. 4 hrs; departure: 11:45 am; arrival: ca. 3:30 pm Transfers: Lisboa to Regaleira Palace 37 km | 22 miles; duration: 40 min; departure: 9:15 am; arrival: 10 am;  visit to Regaleira; duration: 1 hr; transfer from Regaleira to Peninha Sanctuary to begin hiking: 30 min; departure 11 am; arrival ca. 11:30 am. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hotel included.

We start the day at Praia Grande Beach. Our trail winds its way through coastal vegetation to bring us to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe.  From this windswept cape, we’ll take in breathtaking views of the rugged Atlantic Ocean and watch local fishermen perched on the cliffs, skillfully casting their lines. Afterward, we’ll visit the peaceful Capuchos Convent, a moss-covered retreat nestled high on the northwestern slopes of the Sintra mountains. Built by Franciscan monks, it blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings. Later, we transfer to Cascais, a picturesque seaside town. Its historic Old Town features fortresses, a lighthouse, and an impressive citadel dating back to the 17th century. Dinner is on your own tonight, with a variety of excellent restaurants to choose from in Cascais’ lively town center. Overnight: 5-star Pestana Cidadela Cascais (or another Hotel of similar standing).  The Hike: Praia Grande to Cabo da Roca: 8 km | 5 mi.; dur.: ca. 3:30 hrs; dep: 9:45 am; arr: ca. 1:15 pm. Breakfast, lunch, and hotel included.

We begin the day with a leisurely beachside walk to Estoril before traveling south of Lisbon, crossing the Tejo River, the longest in the Iberian Peninsula. Our first stop is in the elegant town of Azeitão, where we visit a traditional tile workshop. Portugal’s iconic hand-painted ceramic tiles, known as azulejos, have been a cherished art form for over five centuries, adorning everything from grand palaces and churches to modest homes and train stations. Afterward, enjoy free time for lunch in town. In the afternoon, we hike a section of the Rota Moinhos (Windmills Path) in the Arrábida Natural Park. This trail, named for its traditional windmills, offers scenic views of the surrounding mountain ranges, Palmela Castle, and the Tejo River estuary. Along the way, we pass the remains of a fortified settlement dating back to the Copper Age. Our day concludes in Vila Nova de Milfontes, a picturesque whitewashed village on the Mira River delta. Known for its outstanding regional cuisine, we’ll enjoy dinner at one of the town’s most popular restaurants. Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight: Hotel HS Milfontes Beach in Milfontes (or another Hotel of similar standing). The Hike: Cascais to Estoril: 2.5 km | 1.6 miles; duration: 30 min.; depart: 9:15 am; arrival ca.: 9:45 am. Serra do Louro to Palmela: 4.8 km | 3 miles; duration: 1:30 hrs; depart: 2 pm; arrive: ca. 4 pm. Transfer: Estoril to Azeitão: 57 km; duration: 1 hr; departure: 10 am, arrival @ 11 am. Palmela to V.N. de Milfontes: 149 km | 92 miles; duration: ca. 1:40 hrs; arrival: ca. 5:30 pm. Breakfast, dinner, and hotel included.
 

Today’s hike continues through the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, which stretches along Portugal’s southwest coast from Vila Nova de Milfontes to Sagres and Cabo São Vicente. This protected area preserves the rugged coastal scenery, offering a glimpse of one of Southern Europe’s most untamed coastlines. Over the next two days, we’ll explore two of the most stunning sections of the Rota Vicentina, a historic coastal trail originally used by fishermen to access prime fishing spots. We start the day with a short ferry ride across the pristine Mira River, Our hike takes us southward, passing small fishing harbors, agricultural fields, and sand dunes, before reaching the dramatic Cabo Sardão cape, where storks build their nests high on the cliffs above the Atlantic. Afterward, we return to our hotel near the Mira River in Vila Nova de Milfontes. Overnight: Hotel HS Milfontes Beach in Milfontes (or another Hotel of similar standing). The Hike: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve: 10 km | 6 miles; dur: 4 hours; dep: 9 am; arr.: 1 pm. Optional hike: Almograve to Cabo Sardão: 8 km | 5 mi.; dur.: 3 hrs; dep: 1:30pm; arr: ca. 4:30 pm. Transfer: 9 am - short walk from hotel to pier to catch boat for 5 minute ride across Mira River. Almograve to V.N. de Milfontes: 17 km | 10 miles: duration: ca. 15 min. Cabo Sardão to V.N. de Milfontes: 20.5 km | 12.7 miles; duration: ca. 25 min. Breakfast and hotel included.
 

We leave Vila Nova de Milfontes this morning and transfer to the charming seaside village of Zambujeira do Mar. From here, we continue our hike along coastal trails, enjoying refreshing sea breezes and panoramic views of the dramatic Atlantic shoreline. This section of the coast is defined by striking metamorphic rock formations, a testament to the powerful natural forces at work here. The highlight of today’s hike is the breathtaking view from Ponta em Branco (White Summit), overlooking the stunning Odeceixe beach at the Seixe River delta. This spot marks the natural border between the Alentejo and Algarve regions. Our hike concludes at Odeceixe beach, and we transfer to Sagres, located on the southern Algarve coast, where we spend the night. Overnight: Memmo Baleeira in Sagres (or another Hotel of similar standing). The Hike: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe Beach: 13.7 km| 8.5 miles; duration: 6 hrs; departure: 9:45 am; arrival: ca. 3:30-4 pm. Transfer: V.N. Milfontes to Zambujeira do Mar: 29 km|19 m.; duration 30 minutes; departure: 9 am; arrival at 9:30 am. Odeceixe Beach to Sagres: 57 km; duration: 1hr; departure: 4 pm; arrival: ca. 5 pm. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hotel included.

On our final day, you can choose to relax at the hotel until about 12:15 before transferring to lunch in Zavial, or join the guide for a scenic hike from Sagres to Zavial Beach. The hike follows the rugged shale cliffs of the southern Algarve coast, offering spectacular views of unspoiled bays, deserted beaches, and towering cliffs. In spring, the fields are dotted with vibrant wildflowers, adding to the natural beauty. The area’s locals continue to live in harmony with the sea and land, creating a rich culinary tradition that reflects the region’s abundance. Sagres remains one of the Algarve’s few places where the wild landscape is preserved alongside its historical and cultural heritage, making it a truly special place to conclude our journey. Afterward, we transfer back to Lisbon, with an estimated arrival around 6:30 pm. The Hike: Hotel to Zavial Beach: 9.6 km | 6 miles; duration 3 hrs. Departure 9:30 am; arrival: 12:30 pm. Transfer: Sagres to your hotel in Lisbon: 200 miles; duration: 3 hrs, arrival approx. 6:30 pm. Breakfast, lunch and transfer to Lisbon included.