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The best guide to the Sesimbra region
SintraCascaisSesimbra.com
The best guide to the Sesimbra region
Sesimbra home - Sights & activities - Beach guide - Cabo Espichel - Serra da Arrabida - Setubal guide
The Lagoa de Albufeira is a picturesque lagoon which opens out on a beautiful beach, the Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira.
The sheltered waters of the lagoon is a popular location to practice kitesurfing or windsurfing, while the massive waves and strong sea-breezes along the coast are ideal for experienced surfers and kitesurfers.
The Lagoa de Albufeira beach is a favourite with Portuguese day-trippers but is barely known by foreign tourists. Inland the pristine forests that surround the lagoon offer deserted footpaths and tranquil countryside.
If you have a car and want somewhere completely undiscovered for your beach day trip, then Lagoa de Albufeira is the perfect location for you.
Related articles: The Costa da Caparica – Sesimbra – Lisbon guide
Note: The Lagoa de Albufeira is not close or related to the resort town of Albufeira in the Algarve, for a guide to Albufeira, please click here.
The unique appeal of the Lagoa de Albufeira beach, is that it has two very different aspects.
One side faces the sea, with its giant waves, strong currents and constant sea-breezes, while the other faces the calm waters of the lagoon, and is sheltered from any winds by a huge sandbank. These calm and safe waters are the only ones found along the Costa da Caparica coastline.
The vast beach at the Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira also means there is plenty of space, unlike the crowded beaches close to Lisbon. The only downside to the Lagoa de Albufeira, is that there is no public transport, and you will need a car to travel here.
The Lagoa de Albufeira is 15km from Sesimbra and 36km from Lisbon (via the fastest roads).
At the beach is the “Restaurante da Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira”, offering wonderful views of the beach, but mediocre service and is hampered by the summertime crowds. A better option is the Restaurante O Lagoeiro further around the lagoon. There are no shops close to the beach, so for a day trip its best to come prepared.
The Lagoa de Albufeira is a popular location for Portuguese holiday homes and campsites. There are three permanent campsites: Campismo das Hortencias, Clube Português de Caravanismo and Parque de Campismo Familiar, but none have websites or online booking/enquiries.
The region would be perfect for wild camping, but this type of camping is illegal in Portugal (with fines up to €250), and as it is illegal, we are unable to condone it. The village of Alfarim (close by) has many inexpensive accommodation options.
The Lagoa de Albufeira waterways comprise of three sections; two lagoons and a wetland.
The largest lagoon (the Lagoa Grande) is to the rear of the beach and extends along the entire length of the village.
The second lagoon (the Lagoa Pequena), is half the size of Lagoa Grande, and connected by a short waterway.
The inland marshes (the Lagoa da Estacada) are popular for bird watching, and the natural habitat for Bluethroat Thrush, Great Bittern and Garden Warblers.
Further bird watching information can be found on the Sesimbra council website:
http://www.cm-sesimbra.pt/lagoapequena/
http://www.cm-sesimbra.pt/lagoapequena/?page_id=2725
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