48 hours in Sagres, Portugal

Date

11.26.19 More info+

Visit this winter for surfing and local cuisine sans crowds.

The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region, is famous for its white sandy beaches and atmospheric cliffs, but the charming town of Sagres is its best kept secret. To avoid the crowds, visit in November and early December. The surf is up year-round, and local specialties like Cataplana Algarvia (a hearty seafood stew) taste even better after a chilly dip in the ocean. Get ready to explore on foot: Walking is the best way to traverse this unspoiled stretch of coast.

Where to stay

Book one of the luxury villas at Martinhal Sagres, where floor-to-ceiling windows and heated pools will immerse you in the landscape. Visit one of the three onsite restaurants and four to-go eateries for healthy, locally-sourced food.

Head a little further south to Memmo Baleeira, where interiors are a study in refined minimalism and draw design inspiration from the surroundings. The hotel rents out bicycles for easy exploration and can organize windsurfing excursions and Jeep trips around the area.

Day 1

Start the day at Laundry Lounge, a hybrid yoga studio and cafe. Join a morning practice then refuel with coffee and a smoothie bowl.

Choose your adventure:

Slide 1 of 2

Option 1: Culture
Head to Fortaleza de Sagres, a historical fortress whose original architecture dates back to the 16th century. After the Great Earthquake of 1755, it was left desolate and not restored until the mid-20th century. Today, only the walls and entrance arch of the original building remain, standing proudly against panoramic views of the ocean and the neighboring Cape Saint Vincent coastline.
Option 2: Fitness
Book a lesson at Memmo Baleeira's neighboring surf school, Freeride. Rent boards and wetsuits onsite then hone your skills, whether you're a novice or an expert, with an instructor.

Fornaria Memmo is an ideal spot to have lunch after a morning of active adventure. Try fresh fish tacos, gambas al ajillo (shrimp sautéed with garlic), or a goat cheese and fig salad.

Regroup at the hotel before dinner. A hearty bowl of Cataplana Algarvia (the region’s speciality stew) is the best way to warm up after a day in the breezy outdoors and nowhere does it better than A Casinha. The cozy, rustic spot also serves a range of bottles from Portugal's Douro Valley.

Day 2

Have an açai shake and a cappuccino at the centrally-located Caffe Espresso, where you can look out onto the water and plan your day.

Choose your afternoon adventure:

Slide 1 of 2

Option 1: Culture
Embark on a 90-minute boat tour of the Atlantic Coast with Sea Bookings. You'll pass picturesque beaches, unique rock formations, and historical landmarks like Cape Saint Vincent, a sacred spot since the Neolithic area and the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe.
Option 2: Fitness
Don't miss the opportunity to trek or run around Costa Vicentina National Park. The preserved landscape takes up about 100 miles of coast and is home to unique species of birds including nightingales and griffons, as well as rare plant life and one of the Algarve’s most memorable flowers, the anagallis monelli. An afternoon spent in its natural beauty makes the hour’s drive north of Sagres worthwhile.

Once you’re back on dry land, head to Restaurant Mar à Vista. The simple, homestyle spot specializes in local preparations of fresh seafood in dishes like Portuguese monkfish with rice and shrimp.

Finish your trip with dinner at Mum’s, where the menu is an ode to Portuguese gastronomic heritage with an emphasis on pescatarian and vegetarian offerings. The seasonally-inspired creations might include items like marinated seitan with pumpkin and stewed plums or scallop carpaccio with passion fruit. Wash it all down with the Hemingway daiquiri or Frida Kahlo margarita.

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