Sesimbra Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sesimbra
Photo by Sérgio Veludo
Photo by Sérgio Veludo
Photo by Sérgio Veludo
Photo by amylie paquin

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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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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Quintola da Maca

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

Quintola da Maca
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Fonte de Sesimbra

Fonte de Sesimbra might not have many top sights, but Arrabida Life and Sesimbra Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fonte de Sesimbra
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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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Pinheirinhos

Though Pinheirinhos may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sesimbra Beach and Meco Beach.

Pinheirinhos
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 ₹17,437 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹17,437
₹18,483 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Sesimbra. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (427 reviews)
Sesimbra family vacation
"The service was great, the check-in was smooth. The rooms where clean and really nice. The A/C worked well. We used the shuttle to the beach offered by the hotel and that was not the most efficient service. One of the driver didn’t seem to enjoy his job and was not offering a good service. We also ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra
SANA Sesimbra Hotel

SANA Sesimbra Hotel

4 out of 5
Avenida 25 de Abril, 11, Sesimbra
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹16,989 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹16,989
₹18,009 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sesimbra. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (709 reviews)
"5 meters from the beach and when you open the door you hear the sweet rhythm of the ocean waves"

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

SANA Sesimbra Hotel
Hotel Do Mar

Hotel Do Mar

4 out of 5
Rua General Humberto Delgado, 10, Sesimbra
The price is ₹19,846 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
₹19,846
₹21,036 total
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sesimbra. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (602 reviews)
"Amazing sea view, very walkable. The pool bar and staff very nice."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Hotel Do Mar
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.
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
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Grandola. Enjoy a beach locale, a marina and a casino. Popular attractions Troia Beach and Casino de Tróia are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (124 reviews)
Nice stay
"The tissue box was empty .they did not inform us that coffee capsules were charged at €1 each (petty!)"

Reviewed on 3 May 2025

The Editory By The Sea Troia Comporta Hotel
Aqualuz Troia Rio by The Editory

Aqualuz Troia Rio by The Editory

4 out of 5
Alameda do Zambujeiro, Grandola
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Grandola. Enjoy free breakfast, an outdoor pool and a beach locale. Popular attractions Troia Beach and Casino de Tróia ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (184 reviews)
Fantastic stay
"Fabulous place; peaceful and beautiful area, huge sandy beach with shallow water. Hotel has a lovely pool, its staff was very friendly spacious room with large terrace and amazing view. Fantastic breakfasts The only minus for me was lack of coffee/tea maker, I think hotel at this standard should ..."

Reviewed on 16 Sep 2024

Aqualuz Troia Rio by The Editory
wecamp Reserva Alecrim

wecamp Reserva Alecrim

3 out of 5
Reserva Alecrim Amazing Glamping, Ademas, Santa Cruz, Santiago do Cacém, Setúbal
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in Santiago do Cacém. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Black Pig Alentejo Distillery ...
9/10 Wonderful! (51 reviews)
"Such a unique, beautiful place! The domes were amazing, the pool relaxing, and the restaurant delicious. Would highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

wecamp Reserva Alecrim
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
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5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
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4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
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3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

Fantastic beach. 1hr from Lisbon.

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