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 (2024) |
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
- 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
First Rate Active Adventure
Our group of 14 became a little family with extraordinary guides leading. I loved every bit of this trip. I was challenged but felt ready. Loved the small towns along the way, the hiking, the hotels, the people, the amazing views, the tiles and the wine.
Beautiful hiking experience
My husband and I completed this trip 2 weeks ago. It was a wonderful experience. Beautiful scenery, amazing beaches, fun guides, great food, nice accommodations. We saw areas we would never have seen on our own.
Unspoiled beauty!
Despite my personal reservations concerning the level of hiking difficulty, as discussed below, this was a wonderful trip! Portugal is a beautiful and friendly country, and the Coastal Hiking trip REI has designed takes its travelers to such gorgeous spots along Portugal’s coasts that we were literally gasping as we came around every turn in the trail. While we were in Portugal (early June), wildflowers were blooming along the trails and we could smell and see rosemary and other herbs as well, which was just lovely. To its credit, Portugal has preserved much of its coastline, so often we would not see anyone else while on our hikes, a factor that added a wonderfully wild feel to the experience. Isabel, Nuno and Andre were all fabulous and knowledgeable guides, fun to be with, but also kind and wise beyond their years. They insisted that there are bad (cheap) wines in Portugal, but we didn’t taste any, and the wine is included in the cost of the trip! All of the reds I tried were outstanding! A note about the hotels: You don’t go on REI trips for the hotels. For one thing, you usually aren’t in a hotel long enough to enjoy it, even if it’s a great hotel. But staying in a nice hotel can add to the experience, just as staying in a less than nice one can detract from it. There were four VERY NICE hotels on this trip, and two that were less so. One of the not-so-nice hotels, the Hotel HS Milfontes Beach in Vila Nova de Milfontes, had a sewage odor in the bathrooms, according to three couples on the trip, including myself and my husband. Others on the trip did not smell this odor in their rooms. I do not blame this on the guides, because I am sure they would have helped us change rooms if we had requested it. There really wasn’t a lot of time to do this though. Unfortunately, this was the only hotel where we stayed two nights. According to the guides, this hotel and the other one that was not as nice (Hotel Residencial Salema) were the best available in the particular areas, and I believe this because I didn’t see any better ones. But if the Milfontes Beach hotel can’t fix the sewage smell, I think REI should consider revising the trip to stay two nights in the Pousada de Sagres (the hotel where we stayed the last night), which was lovely! Finally, if REI does eliminate the Milfontes Beach hotel, it should find a way to go to Restaurant Celso in Vila Nova de Milfontes, which was the best restaurant we went to in Portugal. Don’t miss the acorn liquor they serve at the end in tiny mugs along with nuts and the “pajama platter” (to be eaten before bed) of exquisite desserts! And remember that some of the smallest, most out-of-the-way fishing villages can have fantastic seafood. For example, also don’t miss the octopus “salad”–pieces of cooked octopus in olive oil and vinegar and herbs at the lunch restaurant on Day 5 in tiny Azenha do Mar!
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