The Coastal Alentejo

Portugal

Holiday overview

Destination

Portugal


Type

Self Guided


Difficulty

Moderate


Month

Jan - Dec


Price

£ 615 pp


Duration

7 nights


An inn to inn walking route, following the fishermen´s trail of the Vicentina Coastline, well known in Portugal for its beautiful beaches. This is followed by two days walking in the outstanding historic countryside. The walk begins in Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming seaside village; and ends inland at Odemira.

An inn to inn walking route, following the fishermen´s trail of the Vicentina Coastline, well known in Portugal for its beautiful beaches. This is followed by two days walking in the outstanding historic countryside. The walk begins in Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming seaside village; and ends inland at Arrifana Beach.

Discover a coastline of impressive cliffs topped with sandy dunes covered with aromatic Mediterranean flora; and rocky islets dotted with white stork nests, the only marine colony in Europe. Small fishing harbours such as “Lapa das Pombas” or “Entrada da Barca”, from where fishermen daily face the Atlantic waves, are sheltered between the cliffs, together with many tempting deserted beaches.

 

Price:

£615 per person based on two people sharing a room (February, March & November)

£650 per person based on two people sharing a room (April, May & October)

£680 per person based on two people sharing a room (June & September)

 

Single supplement £240

Solo walker £280

 

Included:

7 nights accommodation in a twin/double room with ensuite facilities.

7 breakfasts

Welcome meeting.

Daily luggage transfers.

Trip dossier (maps and routes).

24-hour assistance. GPS on request. Transfers on day 7

 

Not Included:

Flights, drinks, transfers to/from start/finish, travel insurance.

 

Departure Dates:

This independent holiday is available any day of the year except August and the last two weeks of July.

Day 1 – Arrival at Porto Covo

On arrival, check into your hotel and someone will come to meet you to brief you on the holiday.  You will be given maps and route notes at this stage.

 

Day 2 – Porto Côvo to Milfontes

After breakfat walk through the fishing harbour taking the fishermen´s path to Vila Nova de Milfontes, passing Peach Tree Island and the stunning beaches of Aivados and Malhão. Beautiful cliff area at the end.

13 Miles/21Kms

 

Day 3 – Almograve/Longueira.

After breakfast you have two options to start the walk – take a ferry across the rive or take the bridge walking from the start.  This is an easy walk along the coast. The path winds through pinewoods, sand dunes and on top of the cliffs, hiding the deserted Brejo Largo beach, leading you to the small fishing village of Almograve and then direction to the Windmill of Longueira for overnight.

9.5 miles/ 15 km if taking the ferry / 11 miles/18 kms.

 

Day 4 – Zambujeira.

The journey starts by walking to the Almograve beach (Praia Grande) and then turns south. It is always worth going off the route to visit the tiny fishing harbour “Entrada da Barca”, well sheltered between the rocks. Along the way cliff-nesting storks can be seen, breeding from January and throughout the spring. Through Cavaleiro and the beautiful lighthouse of Cabo Sardão the route ends in Zambujeira do Mar, where fresh bream and sea bass can be sampled in the local restaurants.

13 miles/20.8 kms.

 

Day 5 – Odeceixe.

From Zambujeira beach a coastal path will lead you on to the stunning Carvalhal Beach. Dunes and cliffs, higher as you go south, are still the main features, as well as the superb views of the coast, as you reach the fishing village of Azenha do Mar. The day trip ends as you pass over the river Seixe into the picturesque town of Odeceixe, the first town of the Algarve.

13 miles/20.8 kms.

 

Day 6 – Aljezur
From Odeceixe you walk along the southwest coast, passing near “Ceixe´s” river banks and then heading south into the Algarve Region to the Moorish village of Aljezur.
13.9 miles /22.5 kms.

 

Day 7 – Arrifana Beach (Transfer back to Aljezur at the end)
Today you can take a part of the day to explore the old part of Aljezur; see the Castle, or relax on Arrifana beach . At the end we will provide a taxi to return you from the beach to your Hotel at Aljezur.
11 miles/18 kms.

 

Day 8 – Departure after breakfast.

Getter there:  From Lisbon

  • International Lisbon Airport link: http://www.lisbon-airport.com/

  • TRAIN/Comboio – you can get the train from Oriente Train Station to Funcheira train station, you will need a private transfer from there to the beginning (50km distance around 60€ extra cost). More information at http://www.cp.pt.

  • BUS Service – Rede Expressos – http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ (it goes directly to Vila Nova de Milfontes).

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Lisboa to Vila Nova de Milfontes (on request);

From Faro:

  • International Faro Airport link: http://www.faro-airport.org/

  • TRAIN/Comboio – you can get the train from Faro Station to Funcheira train station, you will need a private transfer from there to the beginning (50km distance around 60€ extra cost).

  • More information at http://www.cp.pt

  • BUS Service – EVABUS and REDE EXPRESSOS – You will have to take the bus to Lagos and then from there to Vila Nova de Milfontes. More info at http://www.eva-bus.com/ and http://www.rede-expressos.pt/.

  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Faro to Vila Nova de Milfontes (on request);