DISCOVER SESIMBRA: WHAT TO SEE, DO, WHERE TO EAT AND SLEEP

FAMOUS FOR ITS BEACHES, GASTRONOMY, HERITAGE, AND TRADITIONS RELATED TO THE SEA, THE MUNICIPALITY OF SESIMBRA HAS POSITIONED ITSELF, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AS A NATURE DESTINATION.

Located in the Setúbal Peninsula, less than 20 miles from Lisbon and from Setúbal, the municipality of Sesimbra has a unique geographic setting, with an Atlantic coastline of around 25 miles, which extends from Lagoa de Albufeira to Serra da Arrábida.

Lagoa de Albufeira

Meco

Bicas beach

Ribeiro do Cavalo beach

In the west coast there are the extensive sandy beaches of Meco, and in the south, the impressive cliffs of Cape Espichel, small sheltered coves and Sesimbra Bay, long known as the “safest beach in the country”, due to its calm waters.

The territory is divided into the civil parishes of Santiago, Castelo and Quinta do Conde. The first one corresponds to the town of Sesimbra, that bends over the bay, with its old houses. It is the seat of the county and the main touristic centre, concentrating several iconic buildings, such as Fortaleza de Santiago (Fortress of Saint James), Capela do Espírito Santo dos Mareantes e Hospital Medieval (Chapel of Espírito Santo dos Mareantes and Medieval Hospital), and Igreja Matriz (Parish Church). In Porto de Abrigo (Port of Refuge), the bustle and the fishing traditions meet the touristic activities, such as diving, sailing, or canoeing. The bay is surrounded by two fine sandy beaches: Califórnia and Ouro.

Sesimbra Castle

Cabo Espichel

The civil parish of Castelo corresponds to the rural area, closely linked to agriculture. In this parish there are some of the most visited sites of the county, like Castelo de Sesimbra (Sesimbra Castle), or Santuário do Cabo Espichel (Cape Espichel Sanctuary), and where there are traces of dinosaur footprints in Pedra da Mua, in Cape Espichel, and in Pedreira do Avelino (Avelino Quarry Deposits), in Zambujal. The landscapes and the trails attract more and more nature photographers, trail runners and mountain-bikers.

The civil parish of Quinta do Conde has a more urban nature. In this parish lies Quinta do Peru golf course, one of the most known in the area, which attracts players from all over the world, throughout the year.

Sesimbra also stands out for its gastronomy, based upon fish and seafood, for the New Year’s Eve Underwater, unique in the country, and for the Carnival, whose parades, organized by Samba Schools and Axé groups file along the waterfront of Sesimbra on Sunday and Tuesday, and are joined by over a thousand participants and thousands of revellers. Preparations for this great festival begin several months before, and in January, the colours and rhythm of Carnival instantly take over Sesimbra. The Carnival is back on the street in August. The Carnival of Sesimbra stands out also for the largest clown parade. It takes place on Carnival Monday, and every single year brings together thousands of costumed participants, being considered one of the world’s largest ones.

Carnival

Sesimbra also provides a quality cultural and very diversified programming throughout the year. The Music Season at the Opera House of Cabo Espichel, Aqui Há Jazz!, and the Summer programming, with shows and exhibitions in several locations of the municipality, are some of the highlights.