A trip to Sesimbra
You don’t necessarily have to visit the southern part of Portugal, the ever-sunny Algarve, to enjoy a great seaside holiday. A trip to Sesimbra shows you that you can find excellent beaches and a lot of fun under the sun in central Portugal, near Lisbon.
Situated in the district of Setubal, Sesimbra is one of the best beach resort cities. Aside from tourism, the city derives part of its revenue from fishing. It used to be a fishing village (like most towns on the Atlantic coast of Portugal) and nowadays, professional fishing tournaments (especially swordfish) are organized here.
What makes Sesimbra unique is its natural setting, the beautiful and green Arrabida National Park, a place surrounded by dramatic cliffs and stunning beaches. The coastline is wonderful, a true oasis of beauty and quiet, a diverse and fascinating universe.
In my travels, I’ve learned something: don’t necessarily go for the place all tourists go. Choose the place where the locals go instead! Sesimbra is such a destination, particularly designed for Portuguese tourists. It’s less crowded than other places, the atmosphere is authentic and comfortable, traditional food is at home and the prices are affordable. At any rate, it’s great value for money.
Arguably the best beach in town is Praia da Figueirinha, with its silky sand and cerulean waters. The beaches in town seem to be “guarded” by the luxuriant forest above.
There’s more to do in town than sunbathe, of course. The medieval Castle was built 200 meters above the sea and towers over the city and its busy port.
The lighthouse is another pivotal starting point for an excursion here.
Sesimbra is very accessible, it lies just about half an hour’s drive from the capital city, Lisbon. Local transport is also affordable and you can even book your transfers from Lisbon Airport to Sesimbra online.
