Now that I’m living in Lisbon, weekend and day trips have become my favorite. There’s so many places to explore around Portugal that are beautiful so I have yet to visit them all just yet. As a late birthday trip for Bebino, we headed south on a weekend trip to Sesimbra.
Sesimbra is close enough to Lisbon where you could even go for the day, but the area has so much to explore that a weekend is needed to see even more. If turquoise blue water is your goal then you can see some here! Be prepared to walk and hike because some of the most beautiful beaches are not the easiest to get to. I promise it will be worth it though. Let’s get into all the details you need for an epic weekend trip to Sesimbra.
How to get to Sesimbra
First things first, you need to get there. There are a few ways to do this depending on your preference and budget.
The fastest and most direct way to get there would be via Bolt or Uber. It’s about 20€ one way and depending on traffic can get you there in about 45ish min based on where in Lisbon you’re traveling from.
There is a bus available from the Sete Rios station. You’ll take the 3721 bus which originates here on Avenida das Forças Armadas. It’s about 42 stops down and an hour to Sesimbra. The bus usually skips the ones that have no people waiting or if no one requested a stop. One way it’s about 4€ one way or included in the Metropolitano Navegante card which costs 40€ for the full month.
Rent a car if you want to have even more flexibility especially to get to the more secluded beaches!
Where to stay in and around Sesimbra
There are lots of options on where to stay ranging from the most common to some unique style accommodations. For my weekend getaway with Bebino, we chose to glamp. I’m personally not the biggest fan of camping because of the lack of bed and thus comfort, but the glamping site we stayed at has beds in the tents.
Glamping
If glamping is your style of accommodation then you should check out Kampaoh! The tents come with a bed or beds, a mirror, a fan, a heater, a chair, a couple clothes hangers, towels, and a fridge depending on the tent style you choose.
The outside of each tent has little twinkling lights that looked so beautiful when we arrived at night to see it all lit up. It’s a beautiful and unique stay for adventurers.
Take note that the Sesimbra location isn’t directly in the city, but about 20 minutes north of it.
Check out all their glamping locations throughout Portugal, Spain, and Italy.
Traditional Hotels
There are plenty of traditional hotels within the city so you can be close to restaurants and other city happenings. Here are a few cute options with pools, nice views and affordable prices.
What to do
Praia do Ouro and Praia de Califórnia
Located right next to the city are two turquoise beaches: Praia do Ouro and Praia de Califórnia separated by the Fortress of Santiago. Both are easy to get to by walking from anywhere around the city. Since they’re right in the city they do get crowded so arrive early if you want a certain spot.
There are chairs and umbrellas for rent as well as small bites and beer to buy right on the beach.
Hidden beaches like Ribeiro do Cavalo
This part of the country has lots of hidden beaches that you either need to hike to or take a boat. They are worth the hike or boat fee. From the Sesimbra port is where you’ll find the boats that take you to them. There are lots of time options during the summer months and a bit less during the off season.
Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo is a gorgeous secluded beach with turquoise blue water. The hike is a bit rough and steep so I highly recommend sneakers and bring sandals for once you get to the bottom. We hiked down which was great because you get the amazing view from above.
As we enjoyed the beach and took in some sun, we saw some boats arriving, dropping off passengers so I asked about the price and times. One way is 7€ or 13€ roundtrip and the ride itself takes about 5 minutes to the port.
Take note that the beach here is small, there’s not a lot of sand space for you to lay so plan to arrive early. There’s a part with rocks which may not be as comfortable but also another possibility to lay. In general the beach is rocky so water shoes will make you feel more comfortable.
Even though this is farther south than Lisbon, the water is still pretty cold even when I visited in early September.
Castle of Sesimbra
From most spots around Sesimbra and even some of the surroundings, you can see the castle. It became classified as a National Monument in 1910. Be prepared for amazing views of the city and turquoise beaches while standing on the castle’s walls.
Inside you’ll find a church, towers, a cemetery, and a cafeteria with some local products. There is free parking for visitors and free to enter. Plan to spend about an hour and a half visiting here.
Panoramic Swing
For sunset, head to this lookout point. Here you’ll have a view of the castle, the city of Sesimbra, and the sunset while swinging on a swing. It’s free to access here and there’s parking available if you’re driving.
Scuba diving
Sesimbra is one of the most popular diving locations in Portugal. Due to its location, you can dive all year round.
Kayaking
Go around Sesimbra’s mountainous coastline using a kayak to see secluded beaches and even jump in the water for a quick swim. Take a guided tour to see the best spots.
Arrabida Natural Park
A beautiful and must visit space is the Arrabida Natural Park. This park is perfect for hikers and beach lovers. Certain places are much more accessible by car than by public transportation.
Sesimbra is a great Lisbon getaway with something for everyone. I hope these tips help you plan an amazing weekend trip!
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