Vila Nova de Milfontes is a picturesque town on the Alentejo's Costa Vicentina, bathed by the River Mira and the Atlantic Ocean. This charming town is known for its golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, which attract tourists all year round. As well as stunning scenery, Vila Nova de Milfontes offers a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, with narrow streets, traditional Alentejo houses and a gastronomy rich in traditional flavours. With a mix of rural and maritime ambience, this charming village is a popular destination for nature lovers, surfers and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Day 1 - Friday
When you arrive in picturesque Vila Nova de MilFontes we advise you to go straight to one of our facilities, where you'll be staying, to leave your bags. Then you can try the (incredible) local cuisine in one of the typical restaurants.
For your first night in this town, you can go for a walk to get to know the narrow streets that are so typical of the region. One of the must-see streets is in the centre of the town and is called: street of hugs! Have you had a hug today? You can still venture into the Marginal Avenue where you'll find Milfontes Lighthouse with its famous statue of the Archangel and the St Clement's Fortwhere there is a tribute to the Portuguese aviators.
Day 2 - Saturday
Now it's time for a full day on the Costa Vicentina! In the morning we advise you to get in the car and hit the track. The first stop is at Vila Nova de Milfontes bridge(don't park in the middle of the bridge 😉), where you can see a marvellous view of the mouth of the River Mira.
Then go to Furnas Beach to see Vila Nova de Milfontes from the other side of the river. This was considered the best river beach in the 7 Wonders - Beaches of Portugal.
While you're here, you really must go to Furnas WaterfallThis is considered one of the most stunning waterfalls in the Alentejo! It should be noted that the path to this place is quite complicated, so it's not recommended for children or people with mobility problems. You can drive up to the point marked in the picture, then you'll have to continue on foot!
After you've tired yourself out a bit, how about turning the focus of your trip to the incredible landscapes that the Costa Vicentina offers? With that in mind, we advise you to head south! The first stop couldn't fail to be Almograve BeachYou'll find a rocky, jagged coastline, long stretches of sand surrounded by reddish dunes and breathtaking cliffs. About 9 kilometres to the south, you have to stop at the Corporal Sardão! Here you'll find the lighthouse, you'll be able to admire the rugged but beautiful landscapes and the typical wildlife of the region, which is well known for its sea and land birds. Fun fact: this is the only place in Europe where storks nest on the coast. Keep an eye out for deserted beaches here too. 😉
Then continue your journey and stop off at the Port of BarcasYou'll find some fishing boats and some of the most translucent waters on the coast! Take the opportunity to take a walk along the jetty that leads right down to the sea (beware of the swell). To get to this place you need to put the following address into your GPS: Entrada da Barca, Zambujeira do Mar (it's marked with that name on our map).
You've no doubt heard of the calm and peaceful fishing village - Zambujeira do Mar. Here you are guaranteed to visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Sea and dare to look down! Take a walk along the cliffs for an incredible panoramic view of the beach.
At the end of the day, return to Vila Nova de Milfontes to watch the sun set over the Lighthouse Beach. If you realise you don't have time to get there, don't worry, you can stay in Zambujeira, go to any of the other points mentioned or any other place of your choice! As long as the clouds help, you'll see an incredible sunset anywhere on the Costa Vicentina.
Day 3 - Sunday
If on the second day of your tour you headed south, on the third you'll head north! (You can always change the route depending on what suits you best.) When you leave Vila Nova de MilFontes, the first obligatory stop is the Canal harbourYou can stay at the viewpoint or even go down to the fish market and watch the fishing boats.
Continue your journey and stop at Peach Tree Fort or Fort of Nossa Senhora do Queimado. Here, you'll have the best of both worlds: on the one hand, you'll be able to see the breathtaking view over the sea to Pessegueiro Island (you can visit it in the summer) and, on the other, you can enter the fort whose defensive structures demonstrate a very interesting period in Portuguese history.
"Forward is the way", so continue your journey and stop off in Porto Covo for a walk through the historic centre, more precisely the Marquês de Pombal Squareone of the marvels of Portuguese Enlightenment architecture. Take the opportunity to try the gastronomic wonders that this parish offers.
Don't worry, there's still time to discover a few more things! And the next destination could only be Sinesthe largest city on the Alentejo coast and the birthplace of Vasco da Gama. We advise you to head to the historic city centre, where you can see the Muro da Praia (Beach Wall), cross Largo do Poeta Bocage (Poet Bocage Square), which will take you to Largo do Castelo (Castle Square). You should also visit the Mother Church; the Misericórdia Chapel; the Castle, which currently houses the city museum, as well as the Vasco da Gama House; the statue of this famous navigator and the Stairs of the Beach Wall.
If you're a sports fan, wait for the next route. 😉
These are our suggestions for spending a great weekend in Vila Nova de Mil Fontes and getting to know the infamous Costa Vicentia. #StayDontStop
