Local Tips for Our Guests
Food scene
Lagos is the main town of the area and is located just 12kms to the East, 15 mins by car. It is a vibrant, historic town with lots of bars and restaurants and things to see and do. It also has a large marina offering scenic boat trips and dolphin watching excursions. One of our favourite restaurants is Adega de la Marina which is a large, bustling fresh fish restaurant frequented by locals. It has a great atmosphere but get their early for lunch as it fills rapidly and you cannot book. Lagos also has a large daily fresh fish market and an open air fruit and veg market on Saturdays.
40 habitants recommandent
Lagos
Lagos is the main town of the area and is located just 12kms to the East, 15 mins by car. It is a vibrant, historic town with lots of bars and restaurants and things to see and do. It also has a large marina offering scenic boat trips and dolphin watching excursions. One of our favourite restaurants is Adega de la Marina which is a large, bustling fresh fish restaurant frequented by locals. It has a great atmosphere but get their early for lunch as it fills rapidly and you cannot book. Lagos also has a large daily fresh fish market and an open air fruit and veg market on Saturdays.
Salema is the closest town. It is a very quaint fishing village although has rather become a tourist town now. It has a large and safe beach and some small shops. For the best G&T ever, visit Atabua and ask for a Nordes & Tonic - you won't be disappointed! The restaurant Boia is also excellent with great sea views and lovely food. For something different try the Salema Eco Camp above the town where non-residents are welcome and they have a lovely outdoor garden and bar and serve interesting food. It is very friendly and they provide live music on Saturdays during the season.
51 habitants recommandent
Salema
Salema is the closest town. It is a very quaint fishing village although has rather become a tourist town now. It has a large and safe beach and some small shops. For the best G&T ever, visit Atabua and ask for a Nordes & Tonic - you won't be disappointed! The restaurant Boia is also excellent with great sea views and lovely food. For something different try the Salema Eco Camp above the town where non-residents are welcome and they have a lovely outdoor garden and bar and serve interesting food. It is very friendly and they provide live music on Saturdays during the season.
Sightseeing
This is one of our favourite spots and is 10 mins away by car. The beach is absolutely stunning and often, perfect conditions for body boarding.
The restaurant is outstanding. Very friendly, excellent service and delicious food with a selection of fresh fish every day but also some great meat and veggie options. Meat lovers should try one of the skewers (Espetadas) they do chicken or lamb or fillet steak or prawn and monkfish. And the fish soup is the best I ever had.
44 habitants recommandent
Praia do Zavial
This is one of our favourite spots and is 10 mins away by car. The beach is absolutely stunning and often, perfect conditions for body boarding.
The restaurant is outstanding. Very friendly, excellent service and delicious food with a selection of fresh fish every day but also some great meat and veggie options. Meat lovers should try one of the skewers (Espetadas) they do chicken or lamb or fillet steak or prawn and monkfish. And the fish soup is the best I ever had.
Although a 30 min or so drive, it is definitely worth it!
Carrapateira is a small coastal town close to two breath-taking beaches, Amado and Bordeira. They are accessible by dirt roads and there are great coastal walks. Amado is a surfing hotspot with surf schools abound but you will see there is plenty of space for all and lots to take in. There are a couple of beach cafes at Amado and an amazing beach shack at Bordeira to aim for on a nice walk.
For the restaurant with the best view of all, try Sitio do Forno just up the road above Amado. Food is amazing but the views are unbelievable.
65 habitants recommandent
Carrapateira
Although a 30 min or so drive, it is definitely worth it!
Carrapateira is a small coastal town close to two breath-taking beaches, Amado and Bordeira. They are accessible by dirt roads and there are great coastal walks. Amado is a surfing hotspot with surf schools abound but you will see there is plenty of space for all and lots to take in. There are a couple of beach cafes at Amado and an amazing beach shack at Bordeira to aim for on a nice walk.
For the restaurant with the best view of all, try Sitio do Forno just up the road above Amado. Food is amazing but the views are unbelievable.
Yet another stunning beach on the West coast. It is the closest West Coast beach, around 15 - 20 mins by car just beyond the large village of Vila do Bispo. The spectacular drive down to the beach is not for the faint hearted but you will be rewarded. You can walk north along the beach to reach Cordoama beach. It is a lovely 45 min return walk but make sure the tide is not coming in to cut off your return walk!
Be aware that this beach is not guarded and has very dangerous rip tides, so extreme caution is necessary.
The restaurant at Castelejo is the perfect venue for a stunning sunset dinner. Just remember something warm for when the sun goes down. Try the Camarao Tigre (Giant tiger prawns) They are out of this world.
14 habitants recommandent
Cordoama Viewpoint
Yet another stunning beach on the West coast. It is the closest West Coast beach, around 15 - 20 mins by car just beyond the large village of Vila do Bispo. The spectacular drive down to the beach is not for the faint hearted but you will be rewarded. You can walk north along the beach to reach Cordoama beach. It is a lovely 45 min return walk but make sure the tide is not coming in to cut off your return walk!
Be aware that this beach is not guarded and has very dangerous rip tides, so extreme caution is necessary.
The restaurant at Castelejo is the perfect venue for a stunning sunset dinner. Just remember something warm for when the sun goes down. Try the Camarao Tigre (Giant tiger prawns) They are out of this world.
Sagres is referred to as the 'End of the World' And it feels like it!
Very windy for sure, but stunningly beautiful. There are great beaches, Mareta, Tonel and our favourite, Beliche (steep climb down though)
Dolphin watching excursions are available daily from the old port of Sagres. Sagres is home to one of two fantastic Indian Restaurants in the area. Holy Diwali just on the left as you enter Sagres.
294 habitants recommandent
Sagres
Sagres is referred to as the 'End of the World' And it feels like it!
Very windy for sure, but stunningly beautiful. There are great beaches, Mareta, Tonel and our favourite, Beliche (steep climb down though)
Dolphin watching excursions are available daily from the old port of Sagres. Sagres is home to one of two fantastic Indian Restaurants in the area. Holy Diwali just on the left as you enter Sagres.
Well worth a trip. A spectacular drive brings you to a historic place with simply stunning views from the rugged west coast. You can get a sense of the rich Portuguese maritime history from where Henry the Navigator set sail and was inspired to discover the World.
94 habitants recommandent
Cabo de São Vicente
Well worth a trip. A spectacular drive brings you to a historic place with simply stunning views from the rugged west coast. You can get a sense of the rich Portuguese maritime history from where Henry the Navigator set sail and was inspired to discover the World.
A scenic drive
If you fancy a day away from the many beaches, a very nice drive is to head for Aljezur from Vila do Bispo, have a meander around Aljezur, a very pleasant town, and then take a lovely scenic drive to Monchique, a very high and historic town with some nice choices for lunch. You will experience an alpine feel and something quite different.
119 habitants recommandent
Aljezur
If you fancy a day away from the many beaches, a very nice drive is to head for Aljezur from Vila do Bispo, have a meander around Aljezur, a very pleasant town, and then take a lovely scenic drive to Monchique, a very high and historic town with some nice choices for lunch. You will experience an alpine feel and something quite different.
There is a spectacular, short drive from Salema village to Burgau. You will pass a beach called Cabanas Velhas shortly before Burgau on the right hand side. There is a lovely contemporary restaurant with a chill out area and giant bean bags. Perfect for a drink or a nice lunch. The beach is pebbly but the location is great.
The small bustling town of Burgau offers a few nice shops and restaurants and a very large beach. Definitely worth a short visit although very touristy.
66 habitants recommandent
Burgau
There is a spectacular, short drive from Salema village to Burgau. You will pass a beach called Cabanas Velhas shortly before Burgau on the right hand side. There is a lovely contemporary restaurant with a chill out area and giant bean bags. Perfect for a drink or a nice lunch. The beach is pebbly but the location is great.
The small bustling town of Burgau offers a few nice shops and restaurants and a very large beach. Definitely worth a short visit although very touristy.
Reataurants
Favourite restaurants in the general area....
Restaurante do Zavial - simply stunning. Fresh fish. Meat, Great salads and wines. 12 mins drive.
Sunita's Castle - Espiche - 8 mins drive. Sunita is a omnipresent host, but this is the best Indian food we have ever had - anywhere!
Adeia - Pizza restaurant. Amazing Pizzas just 5 mins drive next to Intermmarche supermarket. Also takeaways
Salema Eco Camp. Gorgeous outdoor bar and garden with unusual menu and live weekend music. Very friendly and 5 mins by car.
Holi Diwali. Sagres. Amazing Indian food and very good service.
Boia Salema. Beachside restaurant with great seafood and service. 6 mins by car.
Beach Restaurante do Castelejo. Perfect sunset dinner. 20 mins away
Adega de la Marina. Lagos. Terrific atmosphere. Lots of locals V Busy and bustling. No bookings. Great food and efficient service. 15 mins away by car
Sitio do Forno. Best views ever. Fantastic seafood. 30 mins away by car. Just above Amado beach on West coast.
Amado Beach Café. Simple offering in a great location. Salads, burgers, fries, drinks etc.
Cabanas Vehlas Beach Restaurant (between Salema and Burgau) Lovely spot, nice food and atmosphere
31 habitants recommandent
Vila do Bispo
Favourite restaurants in the general area....
Restaurante do Zavial - simply stunning. Fresh fish. Meat, Great salads and wines. 12 mins drive.
Sunita's Castle - Espiche - 8 mins drive. Sunita is a omnipresent host, but this is the best Indian food we have ever had - anywhere!
Adeia - Pizza restaurant. Amazing Pizzas just 5 mins drive next to Intermmarche supermarket. Also takeaways
Salema Eco Camp. Gorgeous outdoor bar and garden with unusual menu and live weekend music. Very friendly and 5 mins by car.
Holi Diwali. Sagres. Amazing Indian food and very good service.
Boia Salema. Beachside restaurant with great seafood and service. 6 mins by car.
Beach Restaurante do Castelejo. Perfect sunset dinner. 20 mins away
Adega de la Marina. Lagos. Terrific atmosphere. Lots of locals V Busy and bustling. No bookings. Great food and efficient service. 15 mins away by car
Sitio do Forno. Best views ever. Fantastic seafood. 30 mins away by car. Just above Amado beach on West coast.
Amado Beach Café. Simple offering in a great location. Salads, burgers, fries, drinks etc.
Cabanas Vehlas Beach Restaurant (between Salema and Burgau) Lovely spot, nice food and atmosphere
Conseils sur la ville
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Activities / Things to Do
Surf Schools
The Surf Experience (TSE) based in Lagos travel to the best surf conditions every day and will pick you up or meet you there. Excellent people and great value. Beginners upwards surfexperience.com
Horse Riding
Just 3kms west of the house on the EN125 is Tiffany's Riding School on the left hand side.Beginners lessons, rides and treks. teamtiffanys.com
Dolphin Watching
The best trips are from the old port in Sagres. Best on a calm day. There are two or three to choose from. Simply drive there and book a trip. They often have marine biologist on boards the ribs which is great.