Sagres, south Portugal top tips?

We are off to Sagres for a week for half term, quite excited about a first trip away for a long time. Never been there, looking to do some surfing and have 2 kids, 13 and 12 years old. Just wondering if anyone on here has been to the area and has any non-cycling ideas/tips etc to make the most of our trip? Cheers!

I went a couple of years ago, hired a surfboard and had a great time.
Note: Their idea of ‘conditions suitable for beginners’ is quite different to mine!

Spent 4 months there over lockdown. Will reply properly to you when I’m home from the pub.
Where are you staying?

Not sure what the family like to do but a little bit back along the coast towards Faro is Lagos, which is a nice town with some decent family friendly restaurants. Further still to Portimao which is the old fishing port, they have a new beach area just at the mouth of the Arade (not Praia da Rocha proper) with an inflatable play area, hire of Kayaks and SUP’s etc. but within the breakwater last time we were there 5 or so years ago.

A trip up to Caldas de Monchique for the eucalyptus trees and the ‘farty water’ (c) my kids if you want a trip out, with lunch at Silves…..there’s a street place just under awnings serving grilled sardines and prawns off the BBQ, but skip them and have the lamb chops which are great. O’ Monchiqueiro, next to Lidl.

If you want a day riding Mtb look up these guys in Lagos The mountain bike adventure

Best beaches;

Tonel is probably the most consistent for surf and easiest to get to from town. Paddle out either side of the big rock utilising the currents. Stay away from the extreme ends of the beach as very rocky and easy to get caught out.

Mareta is much more sheltered and a nicer beach imo. Fond memories of finding 40kg of hash here. Surf is less consistent though. When it works it’s great however.

Beliche is a fabulous beach with a world class bodyboarding wave on the eastern end. If it’s on then you can get a bit of localism, but the whole beach works. Very sheltered if it’s windy. This is the best beach for chilling on too imo.

If you have transport then head to Castalejo & Cordoama beaches n the west coast. They’re about 10 miles from town and you can walk for miles if the tides not high. Unspoiled and wild. Drive to the viewpoint above the beaches for amazing views.

Barranco, Zavial & Furnas are nice and a lovely area to walk. Careful at Zavial as it can get heavy when it’s working. Tends to close out when it’s over 5ft though. Barranco is the hippy beach.

Food;

3 Little Birds is really nice. German owners, great vibe. A nice place to hang out.
Good value pizza at Mercearia 355 opposite the Intermarche but ask for them to be well done.
The locals go to Restaurant Escondidinho. Great value, limited menu of mainly grilled fish & chicken. It’s worth the 15 minute walk out of town.
Good Indian at Holiday Diwali, but small portions and a little pricey compared to the UK.
Good seafood restaurant called A Serbia down by the harbour.
If you’re self catering then go to the market for fresh fish & local veg.
The Hangout was the bar of choice. Nice food too, especially the black pork.
The restaurants by the beaches are pricey but great views.
The only place I’d avoid to eat is Pau de Pita.

Lots more cafes & restaurants to choose from but most were closed when I was there.

Things to do;

Visit the fort and check out the blowhole.
Go to Cabo de San Vicente, the most south-western tip of Europe.
Lagos is the nearest big town and is a lovely place to spend a day.

Hope this helps!

That should be ‘Holi Diwali’ and ‘A Sereia’

Stayed there about 3 years ago. A group of us had an air bnb and flew down with our kayaks. This was in Jan and it was like a Scottish summer. We were in shorts and the locals in puffer jackets!

Waves were big! But you could always find a beach with a decent break due to the multitude of directions they face.

Had a great week, there was a decent supermarket within walking distance of our villa and a couple of good restaurants.

Wow, thanks a lot! We are staying at Mareta beach house, looking forward to it!

I was there with Pauly for 4 months November to Feb. What a brilliant place. Not much to add but as a beginner surfer Mareta was definitely the friendliest beach and nicest for sunbathing/chilling. Beliche was hectic and a bit agro at times. Tonel could be crazy big a lot of the time with several rips and rocks but a stunning long beach to hang out. The fort is amazing. Walk all the way round the cliffs to see the swell smashing into the sea caves sending out plumbs of spray into the air.

Can’t help with non-cycling stuff, but its a long ride from there to Durness….. took me 3 weeks in 2019.

If the surf’s shit, go Deep Water Soloing. It’s brilliant.

However, if the swell is up then defo don’t.

Picture is Malle as I never got round to going to Sagres, but it gives the general idea…

Been a couple of times, once with kids to nearby Burgau, once staying in Sagres (Memo Baleena, nice hotel). All about the surf for me (pauly’s post is pretty comprehensive and I actually know all those spots which may explain why I don’t know much else about the area. Had my best surfs up the coast a bit nr Carapateira, pile driven into the sand multiple times at beliche😁). All I’d add to the above is for learning, stick to the main beaches with hire places, and head for the south facing ones if it’s big, which it could well be. After our first trip with a group of families with kids, one of my then surf friends pretty much gave up after getting slightly freaked out…

Just bimbling about the coast with a few walks is all I can recall doing. It’s nice, weather should be good, but as I say for me mainly a surf destination.

Guide with forecasts: https://magicseaweed.com/Sagres-South-Surf-Guide/1098/

… the map gives links for other spots nearby. It’s looking a nice day on the webcam…

https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/mareta/5842041f4e65fad6a7708e7f