Sesimbra

Travel 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

Hotel Do Mar
Hotel Do Mar
4 out of 5
Rua General Humberto Delgado, 10, Sesimbra, 2970-628
The price is ₹9,742 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
₹9,742
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sesimbra. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (412 reviews)
"This is by far my favorite hotel experience ever! The staff was wonderful, room was perfect for us. Being able to walk right down to the beach and then also have the option for a swim in the pool was breathtaking. Also the easy access to town was so nice. Not to mention you get to look at a ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2023

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, 2970-621
The price is ₹10,515 per night from 20 Jun to 21 Jun
₹10,515
per night
20 Jun - 21 Jun
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Sesimbra. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and breakfast. Popular attractions Nossa Senhora de Castelo Church and Ouro Beach ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (164 reviews)
"An absolutely superb hotel. outstanding service and superb restaurant. Nothing was too much trouble. very helpful to have our small dog in the room. We will most certainly stay there if/when we are next in the area"

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2023

Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra
SANA Sesimbra Hotel
SANA Sesimbra Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida 25 de Abril, 11, Sesimbra, 2970-634
The price is ₹11,717 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
₹11,717
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sesimbra. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (600 reviews)
Awesome hotel in awesome spot
"So glad we chose Sana Sesimbra Hotel........great spot at beachfront, easy parking. Reception staff efficient and friendly. Clean room, very comfy bed. Buffet breakfast incredible.........our one night stay became two nights then three !! The roof top pool topped off an awesome stay at Sana !!"

Reviewed on 17 May 2023

SANA Sesimbra 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.
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, 2825-017
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Almada. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a golf course. Our guests praise the breakfast in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
"Property lies on a beautiful golf course overlooking Caparica Beach. Is a stunning property, rooms are spacious, elegant, and beautiful views galore. 3 pools, a great gym with great instructors to help out if you want advise. Most of them speak very good English. All staff are the best, friendly, ..."

Reviewed on 19 May 2023

Crowne Plaza Caparica Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
4 out of 5
Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 4, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast. Our guests praise the WiFi and the comfy beds in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (487 reviews)
Lots of room! Good location!
"The hotel was nice and clean. Well equipped with necessities. The beds were hard and very uncomfortable that’s my only negative feeling! You"

Reviewed on 26 May 2023

Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
4 out of 5
Praça dos Restauradores, 24, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the comfy ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,316 reviews)
"Room with seperate bedroom and kitchen was great. Very quiet. Great roof top view. We were very happy with the hotel and would definitely stay there again. Very simple rooms. Best part was location and roof top view!"

Reviewed on 27 May 2023

VIP Executive Eden Aparthotel
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

Reviews of Sesimbra

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