14-day self-guided tour along the Fishermen’s Trail

Description

Day 1: Arrival in Vila Nova de Milfontes
After arrival in the coastal town of Vila Nova de Milfontes, located on the banks of the River Mira, and having moving into the stylish Bed & Breakfast in the centre of town, you may wish to take the ferry to the sandy beach Praia das Furnas, visit Fort Sâo Clemente or do some lunch shopping for tomorrow in the old town centre.

Day 2: From Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes (16.5 - 19.5 km / 10 - 12 mi)
After a short taxi ride (included), the stage begins in Porto Covo, on the first section of the Fishermen’s Trail, part of the Rota Vicentina. It's a demanding start, with paths through several sandy beaches and the vast dunes of Ilha do Pessegueiro. The biodiversity of the dune flora is remarkable. Due to strong, salty winds, pines, rosemary, and sunflowers grow almost horizontally. After 16.5 km, you can request a taxi (not included) in Canal if you'd prefer to skip the final 3 km.

Day 3: From Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve (12–15 km)
The day begins with a boat-taxi crossing of the estuary (not included) to Furnas beach, where the Fishermen’s Trail continues. If the boat isn’t operating, you’ll need to cross the Mira River on foot (or by taxi) via a 1 km bridge offering beautiful views of the reedbeds. The landscape is varied, with native coastal vegetation interspersed with “exotic” acacias and farmland. Old quarries in the dunes testify to the constant changes along this coast.

In Almograve, a taxi (included) will take you and your luggage to your hotel in Zambujeira.

Day 4: From Almograve to Zambujeira (11–20 km)
In the morning, a taxi takes you back to Almograve, where today’s coastal walk begins, passing Cape Sardão and its lighthouse, with the option to stop for food or drinks. If you’re tired, you can ask the driver to drop you off in Cavaleiro (9 km less walking).

Day 5: From Zambujeira to Odeceixe (19 km)
Today you follow the Fishermen’s Trail again. Rolling dunes alternate with rocky areas where storks nest. You’ll pass several beaches: Alteirinhos, Carvalhal, Machados, and Amália.

Stop for lunch at the fish restaurant in Azenha do Mar before continuing to the Seixe River, which separates Alentejo from the Algarve. You’ll stay in the upper part of the village of Odeceixe.

Day 6: From Odeceixe to Aljezur (19–23 km)
From the hotel, you walk through cultivated fields and open landscapes with heather and aromatic shrubs. After a coffee stop at Rogil’s best pastry shop, you can choose to follow the coast to Amoreira beach (taxi not included from Amoreira to Aljezur) or take a shorter inland trail. Your modern hotel in Aljezur has a small pool and is near one of the village’s best restaurants.

Day 7: From Aljezur to Arrifana (17 km)
From the hotel, you climb to the medieval fortress with views over the valley and coast. Cross the plateau to Monte Clérigo beach, then continue south to Arrifana, inhabited since Phoenician times. Here stood a Ribat – an Islamic monastery-fortress founded in the 12th century by Ibn Qasî, a Sufi and spiritual leader. Today, only ruins remain in this stunning location.
From Arrifana beach, a taxi will take you back to your hotel in Aljezur.

Day 8: From Arrifana to Carrapateira (16–23 km)
Today's route depends on the tide: the Fishermen’s Trail is only possible at low tide due to impassable cliff sections. The alternative is the Historical Way along the Rota Vicentina through rural landscapes with Mediterranean scrub, pine forests, and cork oak fields. The day begins with a short taxi transfer to Arrifana (or Monte Novo, for a shorter walk).

Day 9: Rest day or circular walk in Carrapateira (10–22 km)
After a week of walking, the beautiful Carrapateira area invites rest: at the vast Bordeira beach, Amado beach, or simply relaxing in the village, where tourists, surfers, and fishermen coexist peacefully. For those who want to walk, there’s a short circular trail past two sandy beaches or a longer one to the restored village of Pedralva, with a café-restaurant and pizzeria.

Day 10: From Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo (16–19 km)
In the morning, continue south along cliff-top coastal trails and rolling inland paths until reaching Vila do Bispo. At the beginning of the stage, it’s common to see fishermen on rocky outcrops.

Day 11: From Vila do Bispo to Sagres (20 km)
A spectacular stage through the southwesternmost point of Europe, with limestone cliffs. Visit the lighthouse and the ancient fortress at Cape St. Vincent before continuing to Sagres fortress. You’ll stay in this coastal town for two nights, near the beach and Baleeira marina.

Day 12: From Sagres to Salema (16–20 km)
One of the most challenging stages of the Fishermen’s Trail, with constant ups and downs along the cliffs. Also one of the most beautiful, with bizarre rock formations shaped by wind and water. You can swim at beaches like Martinhal, Barranco, Ingrina, Zavial, Furnas, Figueira, or Salema. Along the way are remnants of Roman ceramic workshops and an 18th-century fortress at Ponte da Fisga.
If you prefer a shorter walk, you can ask the taxi to pick you up in Figueira (16 km) instead of Salema, as you will return to Sagres at the end of the day.

Day 13: From Salema to Lagos (17–23 km)
A taxi takes you back to Salema or slightly further east to Burgeau, where the final stage of the Fishermen’s Trail begins. Along the way, you can admire the sea caves and natural arches at Ponte da Piedade and Camilo beach. This coastline was fortified by Romans, Arabs, and Portuguese against pirates. The walk ends in the historic town of Lagos, by the Bensafrim River.

Day 14: End of the program