Sagres, Portugal is located on the furthest south western point of Portugal. The location of Sagres attracts those looking to enjoy the surrounding coastline through surfing, sea exploration and diving.
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How to get to Sagres?
Sagres does not have its own airport however the closest airport is either Faro (1.5 hour drive) or Lisbon (2.5 hour drive).
The fastest way to get to Sagres from London was by flying from London to Faro Airport (FAO) which is services by several different airlines. Once you arrive at Faro Airport you can either rent a car or you can opt to use public transport options to get to Sagres.
If you are hiring a car most of the hire companies will organise to pick you up and shuttle you out to their locations around the airport. As this is a very touristy area there are lots of companies to choose from, we recommend going with one of the larger more trusted companies here as we did not and it wasn’t a great experience.
To use public transport to access Sagres you will need to get either a bus or train into Lagos and change onto a second bus to arrive in Sagres. If you are using public transport there are also bus services in Sagres itself however it will not be as easy to get around to nearby beaches and other locations as having a car.
Heading to Lisbon as well? Check out our guide to The Best Things to do in Lisbon
Things to do in Sagres:
Surfing
This is the main attractions to heading to Sagres as this area boasts exceptional waves year round. Sagres because of the way it is positioned has several beaches that are more sheltered and have great conditions for beginner surfers and other area which are known for it larger surf. Sagres is an ideal setting for surfers of all levels.
A popular surf spot for beginners is Praia do Beliche, from here they run a lot of surf schools. If you are a more advanced surfer then you can check out other spots including Praia do Tonel, which is one of the most popular spots in the area, or Praia do Castelejo and Praia da Cordoama.
Want to explore more of Portugals surf scene. Read our guide on Ericeira, Portugal: A Hidden Gem for Surf and Yoga
Sagres Fort
Sagres Fortress, also known as Fortaleza de Sagres was originally built in the 15th century. This iconic fortress not only offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean but also holds historical significance as a strategic maritime and military site.
The Fort is open daily from 9:30 – 5:30pm from October to April and 9:30 – 8:00pm May to September. To enter the Fortress it will cost 3 Euros.
During the summer there may potentially be longer lines and it would be recommended to go in the morning before the crowds as well as enjoying the fortress without the heat. However if you are visiting in winter you can see the sunset from here over Tonel Beach if you enter the grounds before close.
Farol do Cabo de Sao Vicente
The Farol do Cabo de São Vicente otherwise known as Cape St. Vincent Lighthouse is located at the most south western point of Europe. Unfortunately the lighthouse itself is temporarily closed to visitors when we visited but there was a small food van and some markets stalls there when we visited.
If you are visiting of an evening Faro do Cabo de Sao Vincente makes for a great spot to enjoy the sunset.
Pottery
Pottery from Portugal is one of the best souvenirs to bring back it serves both functional and decorative purposes.
The pottery store in Sagres itself is Artesanato a Mo is only open seasonally so make sure to check before heading there, however if they are closed the store has a lovely display on the outside that is worth visiting.
If you are driving from Faro to Sagres during the day then you can stop on the way into Porches Pottery or one of the other pottery stores located all close by each other.
Where to eat and drink in Sagres?
Laundry Lounge
Laundry Lounge was our favourite morning coffee shops, there are a few others around town however this was our go to. They serve a range of health conscious dishes including lots of vegan options. For dinner they cook up a range of asian food which is served up with their signature cocktails. The cafe also offers daily yoga as well as weekly music events, all the details are on their website and boards out the front of the shop.
Escondidinho
This very local Portuguese restaurant is located on the outskirts of of Sagres. Escondidnho has a daily special which changes very day and they start serving from 12:00pm, if youre wanting to order this make sure to be there near opening as it sells out rather quickly. Some dishes should be ordered in advance as they take at least 45 minutes to cook, it is recommended to book in advance and order your dishes arrive within a reasonable time of you arriving.
Adega dos Arcos
If you love seafood then Adega dos Arcos is a must visit while in Sagres. This small tucked away restaurant is nothing fancy however the selection of seafood and very basic sides is a must do. When you arrive at the restaurant the catch for the day is out on display, they then take you over one table at a time to decide how much fish or other seafood that you want allowing you to select which you would like. We chose to have the fish per person where it is a set charge per person and they give you a selection of fish with sides of potatoes and/or fries.
Restaurant Carlos
Restaurant Carlos is a family run restaurant serving traditional Portuguese food. It is slightly more expensive than some of the restaurant in town however all the food we tried was great. The service at Restaurant Carlos was exceptional and it was great to see the way the staff connected with the locals who came to eat at the restaurant.
Fermento
Unfortunately due to going in off season we didn’t get to visit Fermento however it was recommended to us by several people for food in Sagres.
Best beaches near Sagres?
Praia do Tonel
Praia do Tonel is the main surf beach of intermediate to advanced surfers in the area.
When the tide it out it is a lovely beach to walk along however when the tide comes in be aware that is hard to cross from one end of the beach to the other without entering the water.
If you are visiting during peak times you may have to park at the Fort and walk down to the beach as the parking near the beach only allows for a few cars.
During the summer months there is Tonel Beach Bar which is located on a raised platform at the entrance to the beach. They serve a small selection of snacks and drinks to keep you going while enjoying the beachside views.
Praia do Beliche
Praia do Beliche is the perfect spot for beginner surfers. Most of the surf schools bring their classes here as it is sheltered from the winds and tends to have calmer more rolling waves that than of the surrounding beaches.
There is a very steep walk to access the beach and isn’t any shade on the beach itself so if you are coming to spend a whole day here be prepared.
During the summer there is also a small bar here that serves drinks and minimal snacks.
Praia do Beliche was also our favourite spot to view the sunset from the cliffs near the carpark.
Praia do Castelejo & Cordoama
If you head to Cordoama viewpoint you will be able to see Praia do Castelejo and Praia de Cordoama. From the viewpoint you are able to see the conditions of both beaches allowing you to decide which one to choose while surfing here. It is ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers in this area due to the way the beaches are facing.
Where to hire surf equipment?
In the town there are lots of places to hire surf boards and organise lessons however we searched all of them and found our favourite which was Board Trader Algarve. Mike the owner was like our local guide to Sagres not only for surfing but for food and good vibes. The shop organises rentals, sales of board and has a beer garden and runs social events over the summer as well.
Where to stay in Sagres?
Memmo Baleeira
Salema Eco Camp
