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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Charneca da Cotovia

While there might not be top attractions in Charneca da Cotovia, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Arrabida Life and Sesimbra Beach.

Charneca da Cotovia
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Carrasqueira

While there might not be top attractions in Carrasqueira, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Arrabida Life and Setubal Peninsula.

Carrasqueira
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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
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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
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 ₹8,723 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
₹8,723
₹9,246 total
12 Oct - 13 Oct
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! (465 reviews)
Memorable stay
"Fantastic hotel, ever helpful staff. This is a beautiful property, elegantly laid out. Do not miss out on the fabulous breakfast. Restaurant also v good if you don’t fancy venturing downtown. Handy shuttle service to beachfront. Loved Four Points."

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra
Hotel Do Mar

Hotel Do Mar

4 out of 5
Rua General Humberto Delgado, 10, Sesimbra
The price is ₹9,786 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
₹9,786
₹10,373 total
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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! (617 reviews)
"The location and the views were great. It was also very clean. We enjoyed the outdoor pool area. The hotel itself is in need of renovations - it is quite dated."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Hotel Do Mar
SANA Sesimbra Hotel

SANA Sesimbra Hotel

4 out of 5
Avenida 25 de Abril, 11, Sesimbra
The price is ₹12,314 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
₹12,314
₹13,052 total
28 Sept - 29 Sept
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! (723 reviews)
"Amazing stay as always! 100% recommend this hotel for travelers and locals!"

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

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.
Sea Sound Apartment by Trip2Portugal

Sea Sound Apartment by Trip2Portugal

4 out of 5
Rua Varandas para o Mar, 19, apt 4.7, Sesimbra, Setúbal
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Sesimbra. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and furnished balconies or patios. Popular attractions Praia da California and Sesimbra ...
Sea Sound Apartment by Trip2Portugal
Iva's Panoramic Sesimbra - Trip2Portugal

Iva's Panoramic Sesimbra - Trip2Portugal

4 out of 5
Rua Varandas para o Mar 19, 6.4, Sesimbra
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Sesimbra. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Praia da California and Sesimbra Beach are ...
Iva's Panoramic Sesimbra - Trip2Portugal
Green Dream Studio by the beach

Green Dream Studio by the beach

3 out of 5
R. Navegador Rodrigues Soromenho, Empreendimento da Falésia, Sesimbra, Setúbal
Stay at this 3-star beach apartment in Sesimbra. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Praia da California and Sesimbra ...
Green Dream Studio by the beach
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
0
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

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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