Set out on an incredible 6 days of hiking along Portugal’s sun-drenched southwestern Atlantic coast.
From the rich culture of Lisbon to the sparkling white villages of Algarve, take a turn through one of the best preserved coastlines in all of Europe. Hike to quaint towns, rocky seascapes and unspoiled beaches along our journey. Beginning near Lisbon in romantic Sintra, where forested hillsides give way to white sandy beaches, we hike by centuries-old castles and palaces. The scenery can only be described as absolutely quintessential. Savor the fresh, salty air and indulge in traditional southern European cuisine. Tour through inviting plazas and savor quiet conversation in a charming café. Explore jumbled rocks along vast stretches of shoreline. We find the end of our route in Sagres. This bluff, once thought to be the end of the world, is where ships departed from the sailing school of Prince Henry the Navigator in a quest to discover far-off lands. Take in the beauty of the shoreline before we ourselves depart home.
Trip Highlights
- From Sintra to Sagres, discover Europe’s best preserved coastline.
- Hike the finest sections of famed Rota Vicentina—the Fisherman’s Trail.
- Absorb Portugal’s heritage visiting historic sites built by conquerors and kings.
- Delight in fresh local cuisine—seafood, homemade cheese and Alentejo wines.
Activities – Hiking
This trip can be rated Easy Active [2] by doing the standard walks or Moderate [3] by continuing and doing the optional parts of the hikes as well.
Easy Active [2]. Trip members should be capable of walking up to 3 hours (up to 4 miles) on consecutive days. Hikes may include trails with some loose dirt, rocks, sand and stone stairs of variable height, and sections with some ascents and descents. Elevation gain/loss is minimal on this trip.
Moderate [3]. The first three days are a mix of culture and hiking; the last three days are dedicated to hiking and exploring nature. Days are full and you should anticipate rising early and retiring for the evening after 9pm. The daily hikes range from 2.5–10 miles (4–6 hours). The terrain will vary and includes forested trails, grassy lanes, dirt pathways and sandy beaches. It is important to note there will be uneven, rocky, steep and/or hilly sections, and some trail sections have areas of exposure. Hiking in sand is more strenuous than hiking on dirt trails; likewise hiking in very warm weather can make the hills feel more strenuous. The better shape you are in, the more you’ll be able to enjoy all that ruggedly beautiful Portuguese Coast has to offer!
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: | Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon | ||||||||||
| DEPARTURE TIME: | Please arrive by 8:30 am for a welcome brief and departure at 9:00 am. | ||||||||||
| RETURN TIME: | Approximately 7:00 pm. | ||||||||||
| WHAT TO WEAR: | Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat and jacket. | ||||||||||
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| NOT INCLUDED: |
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| SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: | € 90 / night (2025) |
Hike to Guincho beach and the Cresmina Dunes from Peninha Sanctuary.
Our trip begins in Lisbon, Portugal with a 9am group rendezvous. A short drive brings us to the dramatic Peninha Sanctuary. According to local legend, the 17th-century chapel was built after the Virgin Mary appeared to a hermit. We begin our hike here or in the village of Biscaia, heading downhill on trails to Guincho beach and then onwards to Cresmina Dunes Nature Center for lunch. The views, not the exertion, will render us breathless! Our next stop is Cascais to check into our hotel and freshen up before dinner. Lunch and dinner included.
Hiking: 6 miles; terrain: some rocky sections. Driving: 1h15 min
Hike to Cabo da Roca, stroll the streets of Cascais.
At Praia Grande Beach we hike on trails hidden among the coastal flora to Cabo da Roca, the western-most point of continental Europe. From the windswept landscape of this historic Cape we marvel at views of the wild Atlantic and local fisherman perched on the cliffs ready to hook their day’s catch. After lunching on local specialties in Azoia we head to the quiet and green of Capuchos Convent nestled in the forest. Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a wide diversity of landscapes including mountains, forests, lakes, sand dunes, and a rugged coastline with high cliffs interspersed between lovely beaches. Transferring to the seaside village of Cascais, we’ll check in to our hotel in the 15th c. citadel overlooking the bay, the lighthouse and the old town. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own.
Hiking: 5 miles; Terrain: some steep, rocky sections on ascents and descents; City walk: 1 mile; Driving: 1h25 min
Visit an Azulejo tile workshop, then hike along Rota Moinhos for panoramic views.
We stretch our legs with a boardwalk stroll from Cascais to Estoril before transferring south of Lisbon over the Tejo River. We visit a tile workshop to discover the five-centuries-old tradition of Azujelo painted ceramic tile work; these decorative tiles are found everywhere from churches and palaces to ordinary homes and railway stations. There is free time for lunch in town before beginning our hike along a portion of the Rota Moinhos (“Windmills Path”) in the Arrábida Natural Park. The trail, named for the traditional windmills along the path, offers panoramic views of the region’s mountain ranges, Palmela Castle and the Tejo River estuary. Tonight we stay in the whitewashed village of Vila Nova de Milfontes, at the Mira River estuary and dine at a favorite restaurant. Breakfast and dinner included.
Hiking: 2.4 miles; Terrain: mostly rolling with an initial steep ascent; Driving: 3.5 hours
The famous Rota Vicentina leads us to the coastal village of Almograve.
We begin with a short crossing of the Mira River in a traditional Moliceiro boat. We hike from Praia das Furnas to Almograve, a quiet coastal village blessed with two distinctive beaches. The northern Almograve beach is spread over gentle sand dunes, while the southern beach has dramatic black shale rocks jutting from the steep cliffs. We enjoy a picnic lunch that includes famous local cheeses. This afternoon, trip members can choose to transfer to our lodgings or opt to continue hiking. The optional hike brings us to Cabo Sardão, where storks nest on the cliffs above the Atlantic. Overnight for the second night in Vila Nova de Milifontes. Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner on your own.
Hiking: 6 miles; Terrain: mostly flat trails with some steeper up-and-down sections; Optional hike: 5 miles; Terrain: sandy trails
Hike to Ponta em Branco for stunning views of Odeceixe beach.
We continue our hike on coastal trails with sea breezes and sweeping views of the rugged coast. The jumbled geology of the sedimentary rock along this stretch of shoreline is evidence of the force of nature here. We are rewarded with an exceptional view of Odeceixe beach from Ponta em Branco (White summit). Hiking down to Odeceixe beach on the Seixe river delta, we take time to stroll the soft sands before heading to Sagres, on the southern Algarve coast where Henry the Navigator, a famed figure during the Age of Discoveries, walked along the cliffs in the 15th century and built a church and his home. Guests choosing to opt out part of today’s hike will enjoy the countryside views of Alentejo, with free time to explore the fishing village where we stop for lunch before transferring to Sagres. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Hiking: 8.5 miles; Terrain: sections of hard packed dirt trail and sandy trails; Driving: 1.5 hours
Our final hike along golden sand beaches and clifftops ends in Zavial.
Hiking: 5.6 miles; Terrain: hard-packed dirt trails and sandy beach sections.
From the rugged Algarve coast we return to Lisbon to say our goodbyes.
Our journey along Portugal’s wild Atlantic Coast comes to an end. Continue exploring the famed Algarve coast on your own, or transfer back to Lisbon with the guides for arrival at around 7pm. We provide a drop-off at the Lisbon airport and Lisboa Plaza hotel.
Driving: 3 hours
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.
What’s included
- Transportation during the course of the trip
- Guilt-free van support with snacks and water
- Highly experienced and enthusiastic trilingual guides
- Entries for specific monuments, events or points of interest
- Gratuities for all accommodations and group meals
- Baggage transfers and handling
- Optional transfer to Lisbon at end of the trip
- Wine with dinners
- Lodging and meals as indicated below
Accommodations
- Hotels: 5 nights
- Cascais: 2 nights
- Vila Nova de Milfontes: 2 nights
- Sagres: 1 night
Meals
3 dinners, 4 lunches (or picnic lunches):
Day 1: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast and Lunch or Picnic
Day 3: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4: Breakfast and Lunch or Picnic
Day 5: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Breakfast and Lunch
Tour Dates – 2025
3,299€/person
Feb 23 – Feb 28- Mar 2 – 7
- Mar 16 – 21
- Apr 6 – 11
- Apr 27– May 2
- May 4- 9
- May 18 – 23
- May 25 – 30
- June 1-6 – confirmed
- Sep 14 -19
- Oct 5 -10
- Oct 19 – 24
- Oct 26 – 31
Don’t see the dates you’re looking for? Please Contact Us
Tour Reviews
Hiking–yes!
I can’t say enough about the young guides. Their comprehensive knowledge of Portugal’s history and culture, as well as the flora and fauna of the protected areas, was remarkable. In addition to being a wealth of knowledge, these young men were patient and demonstrated a welcome sense of humor.
Outstanding Trip – just book it and go!
My hiking trip with Terracotta Journeys was, in a word, spectacular! Our guide, Pedro, was extremely experienced and knowledgeable about everything from the history of Portugal to the migration of coastal birds. He intuitively set a hiking pace that was perfect for the tour and was a patient and masterful photographer. The coastline was so beautiful that I wanted to take photo after photo! Honestly, it’s hard to describe the stunning cliff-top views of a clear blue sky and the strong Atlantic Ocean crashing against the rocky coast. The accommodations for the trip were perfect, some even luxurious. The hikes were well planned, and we had a nice lunch stop in the middle of the daily mileage. Portuguese food is delicious, and they serve plenty of it on the trip. The meals provided were fresh, local, and definitely hearty enough to refuel a hungry hiker. I would be remiss not to mention how amazingly organized Eva and the back office operations were, helping with everything from travel documents to being sure we had healthy snacks on hand. She even helped me schedule the required COVID test for my return.
And a note to those who may have doubts about traveling with a tour versus hiking on your own – The cliffs of Portugal have been traversed for centuries and are crisscrossed with paths. While the trails are well marked, parking, finding the trailhead, etc. all would be particularly challenging if not for the guide. Terracotta Journeys definitely made the trip easier and more enjoyable than if I had tried to do it on my own. No wonder they were named REI’s top European tour guides multiple times! Yes, traveling is a challenge in these trying times. My advice – just book it and go. All the forms and paperwork are worth it, as this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have some of the planet’s most beautiful coastline all to yourself.
– Danise S
ONE of OUR FAVORITES!
It must be noted that Luis, Nuno & Andre’s were exceptional guides. They’re enthusiasm and professionalism really sold an all ready great travel adventure. ALSO,the food & wine just keeps coming! Stand in front of a mirror and practice saying, “No Thanks, no more for me.” ALSO, a great price for this kind of trip.
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