Day Trip from Lisbon: Sesimbra

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Sesimbra is a small town ~40-minute drive south of Lisbon, known for its rich heritage rooted in fishing, and visually known in Portugal as a town with gorgeous beaches, and mural artwork in abundance. Sardines, sea bream, sea bass, mackerel, octopus, and cuttlefish, are all native to Sesimbran waters, making for incredibly fresh (and affordable) seafood to dine on in town.

We took a Bolt ride from Alfama to Sesimbra, as the town can be easily explored on foot. However, there are spots such as the free-to-visit Castelo de Sesimbra that would ideally be accessed via car. The town was relatively empty during our visit, so finding parking would’ve been less of an issue. A car rental may not be recommended given the traffic during the summer.

Food to Try

Farinha Torrada

A must-try pastry while visiting Sesimbra is the farinha torrada, a toasted flour pastry made from chocolate, eggs, sugar, lemon, cinnamon, and flour. The delicious combination is a densely packed treat and was often eaten in the past by sailors coming into town, given that fact. We tried farinha torrada at the following locations, and would equally recommend either for a taste of this local delicacy. Prices are typically ~1.50-2 euro each.

• A Camponesa
• O Caseiro

Eat Seafood at a Churrasqueira

Walking along the coastline in Sesimbra during the evening will inevitably bring about smells of grilled fish. Outdoor charcoal grills are a common sight in town, with cooks frying fish by the street, keeping the restaurant kitchen free of excessive fumes, and providing a deliciously enchanting smell for the outside. We tried Tasca Do Isaías, getting the seabass the first time, and coming back for seconds and grabbing swordfish (pespada). I’d definitely recommend coming here – but be prepared to wait for a table as locals will gladly line up for this as well.

Visit Castelo de Sesimbra

Perched over the entire town is Sesimbra Castle, a free-to-enter fort featuring a church and beautiful viewpoints of the town and the waters below. The castle wasn’t used often for defence, but cannons were used to defend from ships invading the town hundreds of years ago. It’s a must-visit while you’re in town, and it will take roughly 60 minutes to walk the grounds.

Visit Sesimbra Beach

A stop in Sesimbra isn’t complete without visiting their main beach on the southern coast. A few minutes walk away from the main shopping area, the beach is highly accessible, but parking may be scarce. We arrived in late April, so the waters were still frigid (and the wind as well), but the cold waters are typical to expect year-round.

Stay at Four Points Hotel, Sesimbra

We stayed at the Four Points Hotel Sesimbra for 1-night during our stay and found the facilities to be excellent. The rooms were incredibly clean and modern. The pool was beautiful, albeit also featuring the cold waters typically found on the beaches here. Free breakfast is likely included with a typical room stay, and the prices are very affordable (~$100 USD/night).

Check Prices for Four Points Hotel in Sesimbra

Check for Sesimbra Festivities

Sesimbra is often known as a party town, with locals from Sesimbra and Lisbon gathering for major events such as Carnaval. For event information around your stay, visit the Visit Sesimbra website for up-to-date event information.

Other Photos from Sesimbra

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