Wild beach on the Costa Vicentina
Regional guide

Discover the Costa Vicentina

Natural park, legendary trails, authentic villages, wild beaches and local gastronomy.

Raízes Vicentinas sits at the heart of the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park, one of Europe's last wild coastlines. Here is the essential guide to planning your stay: what to see, where to walk, which beaches to visit and how to discover the region at your own pace. For the long guide to the whole coast, read our complete guide to the Costa Vicentina.

Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park

Created in 1995, the Natural Park covers 110 km of coastline between São Torpes (Sines) and Burgau (Algarve). It is one of Europe's best-preserved territories, with schist cliffs, fine sandy beaches, dunes, coastal lagoons and white stork habitats unique in the world (they nest directly on the cliffs). Free and open access. The interpretation centres in Aljezur and Vila Nova de Milfontes offer maps and information on the endemic flora and fauna.

Rota Vicentina and the Fishermen's Trail

The Rota Vicentina is an internationally recognised network of more than 750 km of walking paths. It combines two major routes: the Caminho Histórico (inland, around 263 km, crossing rural villages and cork oak forests) and the Trilho dos Pescadores (coastal, around 230 km, along the cliffs with ocean views). Short stages of 12 to 22 km, clear waymarking, luggage transfer can be arranged from Raízes. The ideal season is October to May, when wild flowers cover the slopes.

Rota Vicentina trail along the cliffs

The Fishermen's Trail runs along the cliffs, 2 km from our houses.

Villages and towns nearby

Odeceixe (3 km) · Famous for its half-moon beach between cliffs and river. A must-stop for the local sweet potato cake.
Aljezur (12 km) · Historic town with a 10th-century Moorish castle, Saturday organic market, seafood restaurants and small traditional cafés.
Zambujeira do Mar (16 km) · Small fishing village of white-and-blue houses, ideal for an ocean sunset. Hosts the Sudoeste TMN festival in summer.
Vila Nova de Milfontes (40 km) · The largest town on the Alentejo coast, at the mouth of the Mira river. Lively atmosphere, surf school, estuary cruises and seafood restaurants.
White lanes of Aljezur

Aljezur and its Moorish castle, 12 km from the houses.

Unmissable activities

Surf and bodyboard · Arrifana, Amoreira and Monte Clérigo are renowned spots with waves for all levels. Several certified schools from €35 per lesson.
Hiking · Beyond the Rota Vicentina, the short PR1 (Pontal da Carrapateira) and PR2 (Vale Santo) trails offer panoramic half-day walks.
Gastronomy · Try percebes, spider crab, tuna steak, PDO Aljezur sweet potato, Monchique goat's cheese and white wines from the Alentejo coast.
Birdwatching · The region is a migratory corridor. Cliff-nesting white storks (unique in Europe), ospreys, bustards. Best viewing: October–March.

Recommended beaches, distances from Raízes

Praia de Odeceixe (5 km · 5 min) · Half-moon shaped, freshwater river and ocean side by side. SUP school in summer.
Praia do Carvalhal (16 km · 15 min) · Wild beach near Comporta, dunes and pine forest. Access by dirt track.
Praia de Monte Clérigo (22 km · 21 min) · Long sandbank between reddish cliffs, fishing village with simple grilled-fish restaurants.
Praia da Amoreira (23 km · 22 min) · Family beach at the mouth of the Aljezur river, with natural pools for children and a beginners' surf zone.
Praia da Arrifana (23 km · 22 min) · Iconic surf spot in a sheltered bay, with monastery ruins on the clifftop. Ideal at sunset.
Costa Vicentina beach seen from the cliff

Praia de Odeceixe, 5 minutes by car from the houses.

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