The Fortress of Santiago was built between 1642 and 1648 by D. João IV to reinforce the defence of the Atlantic Coast.

He assigned a Jesuit military engineer Joao de Cosmander to build a fortress that would protect the bay and village from pirates and the Spanish armada.

The Santiago Fortress obeys the dutch military outline, starry polygonal plant, and houses several military dependencies, including the governor’s residence, the cisterns, the armoury and the chapel.

During the summer season the Infantes António, Gaspar and José, illegitimate sons of D. João V – known as “Palhavã’s Boys” would come to Sesimbra and sojourn in this fortress.

In 1832 the garrison left the fortress, and in 1879 the National Guard occupied part of the dwellings.

Housed inside the Fortress of Santiago is the Sesimbra Maritime Museum. It exhibits the course of this fishing community from the beginning of times to the present day

On display are fishing tackle, information on the Luiz Saldanha Marine Park, the evolution of the canning industry in Sesimbra and D Carlos many achievements.

A small alter were you may pray to the Lord Jesus of Chagas, patron of the fishermen of Sesimbra

To be found in the village centre a few meters from the beach and Santiago Fortress. Open during the mornings from Tuesday to Sunday.

Here you feast your eyes on freshly caught fish and seafood, fruits, vegetables, regional cheeses and bread

A group of artists accepted the challenge of the Municipality of Sesimbra to paint, on various doors and windows, themes depicting Sesimbria’s fishing traditions.

Today we have an open-air museum. A captivating route to follow that portrays the traditions and inherent traits of Sesimbra

The Porto de Abrigo is the hub of all sea connected activities.

For those who enjoy a more active and challenging holiday, in the Porto de Abrigo area, companies offer diving, canoeing, sailing, hiking, boating, cycling and other thrilling experiences.

Sesimbra is a saught out diving centre. There at about 25 meters deep is the wreck of the River Gurara, a Nigerian cargo ship, that sunk in 1989 with the loss of 45 sailors

Visit the fish auction in the fishing port.

Witness the fish being unloaded and tour the warehouse where fishing tackle is stored and prepared for a new catch

The Sesimbra Castle was the last of the Portuguese castles overlooking the sea to conserve its medieval style.

Inside the Castle, there are two permanent exhibitions on its history, a church and a deactivated cemetery. A museum circuit allows visitors to wander through the various points of interest at their own pace. For the brave, climbing the Castle wall will reward them with a privileged view of Sesimbra.

There is a cafeteria offering local products, accompanied by a beautiful terrace and stunning views.

The temple of Santa Maria was expanded in the 16th, 17th and 18th century becoming devoted to Nossa Senhora da Consolação of the Castle.

A Church that wins your heart. The inviting bright red door opens to a gilded altar framed by a profusion of blue tiles. A combination of simplicity, light and comfort. God’s summer house

A few kilometres from Lisbon you will come upon a stunning coast and irresistible beaches belonging to the Municipality of Sesimbra.

Starting at Lagoa de Albufeira, an ideal place to practice water sports, especially kite and windsurfing, you will move on to Praia do Moinho de Baixo, next to Aldeia do Meco. With extensive sands, it is one of the first naturist beaches in the country. Be sure to enjoy a magnificent sunset while tasting delicious titbits at the legendary Bar do Peixe, right on the beach.

Next up is Praia das Bicas. A more sheltered beach with fewer people. Its name (Bicas) comes from the sprouts of water that spring from the cliffs. A beach that, due to its steep access, might make you think twice before venturing down. However, your reward will be quiet and less populated beach and restaurant, serving mouth-watering dishes, overlooking the beach.

Cliffs make up this part of the coast, envisioning small coves like Praia da Foz and Praia dos Lagosteiros. Here you can examine the footprints and tail marks of dinosaurs, sauropods and theropods, about 150 million years old.

In the background, you can perceive the Cabo Espichel (cape) crowned by one of the lighthouses commissioned by the Marquis of Pombal to illuminate the Portuguese Coast. Portugal was, until then, considered the Black Coast.

A little further up from the lighthouse is the Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel Sanctuary. Built on a plateau that ends in abrupt cliffs to the sea makes it an awesome building to tour

Sesimbra’s coastline is entwined with legends and pirate stories. Native plants and dinosaur footprints make you want to discover more about this area. For those more adventurous and used to more radical hikes, this is undoubtedly a place to explore. An example of this is the demanding trail that takes you to one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal – O Ribeiro do Cavalo. Of difficult access and little known, it is between Cabo Espichel and Sesimbra. You may also get there by kayak or by boat.

Finally, Sesimbra and its Bay that holds Praia do Ouro and Praia da Califórnia

A plateau that extends towards the sky and then falls abruptly into the sea. Was Cabo Espichel the end of the world? Such natural monumentality draws and glorifies the presence of the Sacred.

Dinosaurs, Muslims and anyone who believed that this was the gateway to the legendary island-continent of Atlantis related by Plato, that disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean about 10,000 years b.C, passed through here.

According to the legend of Pedra da Mua, Senhora do Cabo (Our Lady of the Cape) was carried up the cliff by a mule, leaving its footprints on the rock. Today we know these to be dinosaur footprints.

A different legend reveals how, one night in 1410, an old man from Alcabideche and an old woman from Caparica (joining the two banks of the Tagus) dreamed of the presence of the Virgin at the cape. They went there and found the image of Our Lady on top of a rock. This find led to the construction of the small chapel (Ermida da Memória), where this story is depicted in tile panels, and one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in Portugal

Until the beginning of the 18th century, the primitive temple consisted of the chapel and a yard surrounded by houses for pilgrims who came to worship the image.

The current church, built with its back to the sea, was commissioned by D. Pedro II between 1701 and 1707, designed by the architect João Antunes. The cult grew, and the pilgrimages became bigger and bigger, augmented by the idea that the Virgin guaranteed protection against plague and other epidemics. The massive influx of pilgrims forced the construction of two wings of inns with shops, the aqueduct and the water house and, later, the Opera House.

The Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo was once one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in the country, stage of magnificent parties with theatre, opera and bullfighting. D. José even offered Our Lady “two gold crowns set with diamonds and a branch of jasmines, in diamonds, emeralds and rubies”.

The tight connection of this cult with the monarchy meant that the extinction of one led to the decline of another, shifting the pilgrimage core to Fátima

The footprints that until then were the fruit of legends were identified in 1970 as belonging to dinosaurs.

150 million years ago, one or more herds of dinosaurs left their footprints on a soft ground of a swamp area that has since harden to rock

For many centuries, the Portuguese coast was perceived as the “black coast”, because there were no lighthouses to aid navigation. At the end of the eighteenth century, the Marquis of Pombal built a network of lighthouses to make it safer for passing sailors, including the one in Cabo Espichel. Built in 1790 it is one of the oldest lighthouses in Portugal.

The Lagoa Pequena is a perfect place to initiate your bird watching activities. There you’ll find paths, walkways and small wooden houses for comfortable and sheltered wildlife observation.
You can visit the park at your own pace, or join one of several guided tours (by appointment). Whatever your choice, all essential information on bird watching is given to you on arrival. Along the route, you will find information boards with the species to be seen in the area at any given time.

An excellent suggestion for family outdoor activities

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm

Being a fishing village, you´ll find fresh fish and seafood in all restaurants and household tables. Whether as entrées, grilled on charcoal or in the most elaborate dishes, the fresh-caught fish is a memorable treat.

Toasted Flour – This sweet made with flour, brown sugar, chocolate and lemon. When out to sea for an extended period, fishermen would take toasted flour with them for their meals, for it preserved for a long time. Doctors prescribed it to combat fatigue accompanied by a glass of dark ale

The Black Swordfish from Sesimbra  – The Black Swordfish is one of the most important fish species in Sesimbra and a reference in local gastronomy.

Azoia bread and cheese