Beaches West Coast
Ponta Ruiva Beach
This beach gets its name from the impressive rock formation of reddish hues at its southern end. Getting down to the beach is not easy, but if you make the effort you will be rewarded by a stunning scene of nature. The beach is very peaceful, long and seldom crowded. The black of surrounding high schist cliffs are crowned with valleys verdant with native vegetation while the intense scent of rockrose perfumes the air. If you adore raw nature, a visit to this beach is must.
Distance from Hotel:
8 km / 20 minutes by car
Directions:
From Sagres town centre, go in the direction of Cape St. Vicente, following the EN 268; passing Beliche beach take the first dirt track on the right; travel northwest along the dirt track for around 4km;
Restaurant & Bar:
This beach has no support facilities or supervision.
Castelejo Beach
This beach can be reached along a tarmac road that winds its way through a gorgeous valley. The slopes of this beach are green and dotted with stone pine, and the high cliffs take on different shapes through the day as the light sinks below the horizon. Access to the beach is easy and its waves make it one of the most sought out by holiday-makers and surfers. The well known restaurant serves up excellent fresh fish and refreshing sangria.
Distance from Sagres:
14 km / 15 minutes by car;
Directions:
From Vila do Bispo, follow signs towards the "beaches". Carry on along the tarmac road for about 4km, following the sign to this beach until the end of the road;
Restaurants:
Restaurant serving grilled fresh fish and regional dishes;
Surfing school;
Good for:
Walking, surfing, enjoying the beach
Cordoama Beach
Beach with large areas of sand, stretching both north and south. The view of the craggy cliffs, fading into the haze is surely breathtaking. This is one of the most popular beaches of the west coast, with surfing and bodyboard schools giving it a youthful spirit. However, its size means that it's not hard to find a quiet spot beneath the cliffs.
Distance from Sagres:
16 km / 20 minutes by car;
Directions:
From Vila do Bispo, follow signs towards the "beaches". Carry on along the tarmac road for about 4km until you reach the turning for Castelejo beach. Turn right and follow the dirt track for 2km to the beach
Restaurants:
Beach restaurants where you can enjoy a meal overlooking the sea
Good for:
Walking, surfing, bodyboard
Barriga Beach
Quiet beach with crannies created by crags in the cliffs. At low tide, it's possible to walk round to Castelejo beach, passing Cordoama beach. On this walk you can see the cliff walls rising on jagged and deformed layers of rock, witness to the incredible forces of nature that have shaped this landscape.
Distance from Sagres:
22 km / 30 minutes by car
Directions:
From Vila do Bispo, follow signs towards the "beaches". Carry on along the tarmac road for about 4km. After the turning for Castelejo beach, the road is by dirt track and there are no signs. Keep going north for 8km.
Support:
No support facilities or supervision
Good for:
Walking, surfing, escaping the crowds of the other beaches.
Murração Beach
Known as the "Jewel of Vicentina", this beach has a rare and enticing beauty. The black schist cliffs, hewn with reds and oranges, the sheep grazing on the cliff tops, we are in another world. The beach is unsupervised and is reached by a dirt and gravel track which extends 6km beyond the tarmac. There are no support facilities and access to the beach is not easy, being recommended only for off-road vehicles.
Distance from Sagres:
19 km / 25 minutes by car
Directions:
From Vila do Bispo, follow the EN120 towards Carrapateira (EN120). When you reach the wind farm take the turning on your left, a dirt and gravel track which continues for 6km to the beach. Recommended only for 4x4 vehicles.
Support:
No support facilities or supervision
Good for:
Admiring an unspoilt beach, surfing and bodyboard.