ADEGA DOS ARCOS NO 6 (TOUR 1)

ADEGA DOS ARCOS

Behind Cafe Flamingos and the Mercado is some rough ground with various tracks going across it . Once you venture onto this land in the bottom left hand corner you will see the Adega Dos Arcos and it is easy to make your way there . If in doubt ask at the Flamingos . A few years ago this restaurante catered mainly for work men and it was not user friendly enough for tourists . No English spoken , no menu ,it was a pretty haphazard and crazy place . It was taken over by a experienced local guy , refurbished and as well as workmen locals and tourists started using it and it is now so popular in high season people are turned away . It can still be rather haphazard , I have not seen a menu . At lunch they have a Prato do Dia which is usually gone by evening then there is Chicken Fish or Pork . It opens at 7.30 pm for evening meals pick a quiet night they speak English and will have time to explain things . Its important to go with the flow its cheap and the food is good .

If you leave Adega dos Arcos by this exit or walk round the side ,turn right and at the junction turn left to go back to Oliveirinha or right for A Curva  . You should now be getting your bearings .

THE THREE BEACHES NO1 MARTINHAL (TOUR 2)

 This is Tour 2 and covers 3 beaches that are in easy walking distance from the centre of Sagres . Tour 1  covers most of the village and if followed will show  most of  the shops bars and eating places that are available . I have omitted the main road into Sagres which has more shops bars and restaurants plus the Intermarche supermarket and the petrol station . The reason for this is its easy to find ,its the main road as you come in from Lagos and secondly there is no pavement and I consider it dangerous to walk up .
      The Three Beaches are all attended by life guards during the summer and all attract swimmers and surfers (if surf). I have swum when the beach has been empty and unattended but only in calm/good conditions . There are fatalities on these beaches. Oh and there is the danger of rock fall so don't camp yourself under a dodgy looking cliff.!

MARTINHAL 

Christmas Day 

Sunrise

Martinhal Beach 

You won't always find it this quiet, the 5 star Martinhal resort is now finished ( just visible in this picture ) so there are a few things going on . It is popular for windsurfing , has 2 beach bars, but even still I have never seen it crowded . Its lovely for a morning walk as the sun rises over the sea . The area is spoilt for beaches so I don't have a favorite.To get there if we take Restaurant Carlos (tour 1) as a starting point walk down towards the port and at the sharp right hand bend at the bottom of the road cut straight through the grounds of the Baleeira Hotel ( big white one )past reception then turn right onto the dirt road that leads down to the beach 

THE THREE BEACHES NO2 MARETA (TOUR 2)

MARETA

Mareta on a stormy day in October

No Swimming

Another deserted beach 

So from Restaurant Carlos head up the street away from the Port and when you see the Dromedario bar on the right take the road opposite turning left . Go down the hill then turn right then the first left . You can see the beach now and there are a couple of ways down . There are a few restaurants around here with beautiful sea views but that comes at a price . I like the Last Chance Saloon for a beer . This beach is popular with good swimming and if windy is the most sheltered . There are toilets opposite the Dromedario. 

THE THREE BEACHES NO3 TONEL (TOUR 2)

TONEL

sunset 

Perhaps my favourite , no no I don't have favourites . Well my favourite as the sun sets then . The sun goes down over the sea and it attracts a lot of attention. Popular with surfers it is truly dramatic in big seas as the waves crash over the rock a few meters out . It has a beach bar selling drinks and snacks in the summer but can be a wild place in winter.From Restaurant Carlos head up the road same way as Mareta but keep going . At the roundabout at the top which is a complicated little junction follow the road more a less straight on (dogs leg) past the Columbus pizza restaurant on your right . This leads to another roundabout where you turn left to the Fortaleza . After a few meters take the road on the right down to Tonel beach . The second roundabout we will call the Fortaleza roundabout and use this as another reference point .

THE SIGHTS FORTALEZA NO 1 (TOUR 3)

A view I have heard expressed of Sagres is that it is windy and there is nothing much there . I suppose you could call it the Lands End  ( fim das terras )of  Europe. The "nothing there" opinion was that of a Portuguese lady  who lived in Lagos, I suppose its up to everyone to make their own mind up. Maybe its a love it or hate it type of place . Anyway there are a few things to see .

FORTALEZA

It is central and easy to find . If you make your way to the Fortaleza roundabout see ( THE THREE BEACHES NO3 TONEL  (TOUR 2) you will see it. There is loads of history connected with the Fortaleza and it may be worth looking it up before a visit . The entrance fee is inexpensive a couple of euro's I think and it is free some days. Again some people find it not too interesting , but the walk round is good enough for me and I have visited on numerous occasions . It is worth a visit just to watch the fishermen perched on the cliff edge. They do fall off !! If you visit when the sea is rough the views and coastline are spectacular.

View from the Fortaleza

Go in here , even if blocked off.

fishermen call it a day 

inside the Fortaleza

  

THE SIGHTS LIGHTHOUSE NO 2 (TOUR 3 FULL DAY)

THE LIGHTHOUSE 

The Lighthouse (Farol) is about 6 km from Sagres . It is easy to find from the Fortaleza roundabout head straight on out of town past the Artesenato shop on the right . With all the fresh air available in Sagres I always think its a shame to use a car if you don't have to . You can walk but it's not the most interesting walk available and I never like being able to see all the way I have to walk in the distance , it always looks further than it is.

That's a long way !

 There is a bus its leaves Sagres main street at 11.15 and 14.25 and returns at 12.00 and 15.03 Monday to Friday . Catching the bus there and walking back is an option but I think the best way to go is make a day of it and go by bike . For information on the buses there is a Tourist Office on the main street on the opposite side of the Dromadario Bar up towards the square . There are plenty of bike hire places in this area also . You need to pick a clear day preferably when the wind is not howling. Don't forget water and a sandwich if you don't want to use the cafe's and restaurants . A towel and swimming costume may be useful and definitely sun creme . So starting at the Forteleza roundabout head out of town past the Artesenato . On the left hand side of the road there is a cycle path I always use it but a lot of people don't seem to realize its for bikes. You don't get cars racing past you and you are facing oncoming traffic. The first place you come to is Beliche Beach so if you fancy a bit of sunbathing or a swim this is the place . Leaving Beliche there is a tight bend and you need to use the correct side of the road for a few hundred mtrs . Not too much further on is Forte Beliche which is worth a stop . You will have to look up any history but there is a path that leads down to the sea if you are feeling energetic .

Path 

Carrying on from Forte Beliche on the right is another Artesenato and Restaurant S. Vicente . If it is open wander into the restaurant for a look not to eat . I won't tell you why. Next stop is the lighthouse , spectacular views on a clear day . There is a museum and gift shop and other tourist attractions . It gets busy but no trouble parking on a bike . People come for the sunset but you probably need to leave before it goes dark . The sunset on Tonel Beach is better anyway . Thew that was along day!

Tonel 

THE SIGHTS NICE WALK PLUS A BIT OF BIRD WATCHING NO 3 (TOUR 3)

 NICE EASY WALK ANY TIME OF DAY

The Track 

This walk starts at the roundabout that leads down to the port . This picture is taken from the Baleeira Hotel (near those steep steps) and since it was taken  new Hotel / Flats / Apartments are being built on the corner behind the bus stop. Anyway go straight on across the roundabout and follow the gravel road ( no cars ) which is marked out by large stones . Follow this round till you reach the walkway which leads to a viewing point . Great views from here of the coast line . Sagres is well known for bird watching and hosts a festival every year usually in October . This is a popular spot for the twitchers  .

Walkway

Return on the walkway and carry on round the path . You will come out at the Pousada do Infante and following the road you can turn left to Mareta beach or straight on to Restaurante Carlos . A short walk but one I do frequently. It was only created in 2015 .