Fishermen’s Way / Rota Vicentina (full)
€1090
per person
Portugal’s Rota Vicentina (or Fishermen’s Way) is one of the most famous long-distance self-guided hiking trails in Europe. It is an exciting coastal trail along beautiful cliffs and dunes which can only be followed on foot. Enjoy the wild seaside natural landscape as the Atlantic Ocean winds encourage you to advance from one charming village to the next. You will walk through beautiful beaches, climb the neighboring cliffs and enjoy magnificent views at all times.
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Destination
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Duration11/14 Days I Level: 3 (of 5)
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What is included10 nights in en-suite rooms (hotels/pensions) incl. breakfast (check the Rates&Remarks tab for details), luggage transfers during tour (1 piece up to 20kg per person!), emergency support phone line, walk information pack (1 set per room - route notes, maps, GPS tracks etc.)
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What is not includedAirport transfers (unless requested), drinks and other meals.
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Best periodFebruary, March, April, May, June, mid-September, October, November
FROM OUR GALLERY
Self-guided walking tour along the Rota Vicentina (Fishermens' Way), Portugal
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Day 1. Arrival at Alentejo (Porto Covo)
Your first overnight will be in a family-run hotel in the coastal village of Porto Covo. *Easiest arrival via Lisbon or Faro airports: Lisbon - 2,15-3hrs bus ride (depending on the bus service; check the timetable of Rede Expressos appr. 30-40 days before the tour starts); Faro - train to Funcheira and taxi from there (70-80EUR) or bus to Lagos and there change for local bus service to Porto Covo. We offer private transfers from/to Lisbon and Faro airport in connection with the tour (check details with us).
N.B. In shoulder season it is not always easy to arrive in Porto Covo using public means of transportation. If this is the case, we can provide the tour with 2 nights in Vila Nova de Milfontes on Day 1 and Day 2 (arrival in Vila Nova de Milfontes on Day 1 is easy, while on Day 2 you get a morning transfer to Porto Covo to start the walk to Vila Nova de Milfontes (where you stay on Day 2 too).
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Day 2. Porto Covo - Vila Nova de Milfontes (20km, 6-7hrs, +170m/-150m; options to make the hike shorter)
*If you have stayed in Vila Nova de Milfontes (see Day 1 for details), a morning transfer will bring you to the trailhead of Porto Covo (just northwards from Vila Nova de Milfontes). Porto Covo is the northernmost point of the Fishermen's Trail. Today you start following the Rota Vicentina trail south to Vila Nova de Milfontes. The terrain is relatively strenuous as you will be walking on loose sand. You will reach the Forte da Ilha de Dentro overlooking the island of Pessegueiro along the beach. Then follow the path through the dunes behind the marvelous surf beaches Aivados and Malhгo until you get to the cliff tops, a favorite spot for sea anglers. Eventually you will arrive at your accommodation in Vila Nova de Milfontes.
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Day 3. Vila Nova de Milfontes - Almograve/Longueira (18km, 5hrs, +260m/-280m)
Today's section of the independent walking route is relatively easy. You will follow the Fishermen's Trail along the coast and through pine forests, sand dunes and cliff tops with beautiful panoramas. Enjoy the magnificent view of Vila Nova de Milfontes from the famous Furnas Beach. You will walk along more secluded beaches until you reach the small village of Almograve where your next overnight will be. *If there is no availability there (it is a small village with very few overnight options) we may use Longueira as a base for the night (appr. 20min walk from Almograve).
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Day 4. Almograve - Zambujeira do Mar (21km, 6-7hrs, +210m/-200m)
Continue south along the Rota Vicentina from Almograve walking above the beach and make a short detour to the charming fishing harbor of Lapa das Pombas. Follow the hiking trail along cliffs offering spectacular views of the surrounding dunes. It is quite common to spot storks nesting on the neighboring cliffs along the route. You will pass the village of Cavaleiro and the historic lighthouse of Cabo Sardão. This section of the trail ends in Zambujeira do Mar where your next overnight will be.
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Day 5. Zambujeira do Mar - Odeceixe (18km, 5-6hrs, +270m/-290m)
This is one of the most popular trails of your self-guided hiking route, spent along a beautiful coastal path leading into Carvalhal bay through cliffs and above sandy beaches. Continue through the dunes and pass farmland and woodland to the Praia da Amalia. On this spot, the stream cascades down onto the beach which is a truly marvelous sight. Enjoy delicious seafood at Azenha do Mar before you continue towards the Ceixe River estuary and finally to Odeceixe. Odeceixe is the first village of the Algarve region as you walk southwards along the coast, while the bridge over the river sets the border between Alentejo and Algarve regions.
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Day 6. Odeceixe - Aljezur (23km, 6hrs, +400m/-390m)
From Odeceixe you keep walking along the official Fishermen's Way south near the coast, passing through the small agricultural village of Rogil, where you'll be able to try local famous sweet potato. After that, you will keep hiking south until you reach the Moorish village of Aljezur. This is where you will stay overnight.
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Day 7. Aljezur - Arrifana Beach - Arrifana (18km, 5hrs, +350m/-290m; + option to reduce the hike to 12km)
Today you can take a part of the day to explore the old part of Aljezur, going to the top of the Castle, passing by the old narrow streets, or you can follow our suggestion to go and explore the way into Arrifana Beach. Overnight in Arrifana.
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Day 8. Arrifana Beach - Carrapateira (22km, 6,30hrs, +300m/-250m; + options to make the hike shorter)
Also called "The Historical way Stage" today's walking trail will offer a superb combination of pristine nature and lands under cultivation, hills, cliffs, quiet beaches, tranquil woods of cork and eucalyptus, wild olive and oak trees. All in all a day of real diversity, when the ocean is not going to be your companion at all times.
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Day 9. Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo (22km, 7hrs, +300m/-200m; + options to make the hike shorter)
As you walk today the Rota Vicentina brings you again beautiful colors, hills entering the sea, amazing flat fields in the valley’s bottoms, small rivers running towards the ocean, and temporary water ponds, extremely important for the strong natural biodiversity. Birdlife is really rich in this area, especially as you go closer to Vila do Bispo.
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Day 10. Vila do Bispo to Sagres (St. Vicentin´s Cape) (21km, 6,30hrs, +140m/-160m;
The last stage of your self-guided hiking adventure along the Fishermen's Way will take you to the most southwestern point of continental Europe. A special place, not only because of its particular position but also due to its important role during the Portuguese discovery Era. Also destination of many pilgrims faithful to St. Vincent. A very famous place for bird watching, so pay attention and keep your binoculars ready. Overnight in Sagres.
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11. Departure day
Your hiking adventure along the Rota Vicentina and our services end after breakfast.
Note that there is also an option to extend the tour all the way to Lagos (3 more nights; the path along this extension is less well maintained!). Contact us for price details.
TOUR LOCATION
Price (2026)
1090 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (01/02-25/03; 26/10-30/11)
1130 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (26/03-25/05; 25/09-25/10)
1195 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (26/05-23/06; 22-24/09)
*No departures between 24/06 and 21/09 (incl.).
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 545 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. also sgl. room supplement): 640 Euro
Tips
Daily departures between February and mid-June, and then from mid-September till the end of November (summer months of July and August can be extremely hot, making the walking rather uncomfortable, and the coastline can get quite crowded with tourists). April and May are especially beautiful for flowers. In case of bad weather conditions you can use the luggage transfer vehicle to get to your next accommodation (subject to space). We offer private transfers from/to Lisbon and Faro (check with us for rates). Mind that parts of the trails are walked on loose sand, so be prepared with the right shoes for that and the fact that walking will be harder along these stretches (to avoid getting sand in your shoes, wear long hiking pants with elastic ankles that wrap over high-cut hiking boots).
Accommodation
Family-run pensions and guesthouses with en-suite rooms incl. breakfast. Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Day 1: Porto Covo - Hotel Porto Côvo; Day 2: Vila Nova de Milfontes - Hotel Mil Reis; Day 3: Almograve/Longueira - Monte Novo da Longueira; Day 4: Zambujeira do Mar - Hotel Rosa dos Ventos; Day 5: Odeceixe - Casa Celeste; Day 6: Aljezur - Vicentina Hotel; Day 7: Arrifana Beach - Arrifana Destination Suites & Hostel; Day 8: Carrapateira - Pensão das Dunas; Day 9: Vila do Bispo - Hotel Mira Sagres; Day 10: Sagres - Mareta View; Extension to Lagos: Salema - A Mare; Luz - Hotel Luz Bay; Lagos - Marina RIO Lagos;
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