Monday 7th May 2018

A short bike ride from our campsite Camping Villa Park Zambujeira was another superb sandy beach on the Alentejo coast, Zambujeira do Mar.

The one way system for cars in the town did not affect us on our cycle and we could head straight through the town towards the beach.

From the small chapel, Nossa Senhora do Mar high above the rugged cliffs the views were delightful.

A wide pavement followed the coastline leading down to the beach at the bottom of the road.

There were different areas in the village to park but only a very small car park opposite the beach so be prepared for a steep walk down to access the beach if you can’t find a spot there.

Here was a wide sandy beach framed by towering cliffs, a popular spot for surfers.

The village still remains much of its Portuguese charm and when we visited it was incredibly quiet apart from a couple of bar/cafes.

Although in August this sleepy town hosts an International Music Festival, The Festa do Sudoeste, one of the biggest music events in Portugal and it comes alive!  This year it is highlighting reggae, pop, rock and indie. 2018 dates are 7 – 11 August.

Heading back into the small town and back past the chapel we made our way north towards the dunes and followed a small boardwalk which offered a different view of the Alentejo coastline as well as the fauna and flora. (Part of the Fisherman’s Trail).

For information, in the small village square near the chapel was a detailed information board about the Fisherman’s Trail or Trilho dos Pescadores.

As well as this trail there are many other trails along  the SW Alentejo and Vicentina coastline but the website  provides very detailed information about any of the walks  of the Rota Vicentina.