Region

Sines is a small but rich territory that joins the best of the Alentejo Coast to a cosmopolitan vocation symbolized by its most illustrious son, Vasco da Gama, and the strength of its port activity. From the beaches of Porto Côvo, among the most beautiful in Portugal, to international reference events such as the Músicas do Mundo Festival, there are plenty of reasons to visit Sines all year round.

Family beaches

The main beaches in the Sines area are permanently manned with lifeguards during the bathing season, provided with appropriate facilities and maintain excellent standards of cleanliness. The beaches of Vasco da Gama, S. Torpes, Vale Figueiros, Praia Grande do Porto Covo and Ilha do Pessegueiro, which have regularly been awarded European Blue Flags in recent years, are known for their excellent natural qualities and for being suitable for all ages of bathers, from children to senior citizens.

Vasco da Gama Beach

Located inside the city of Sines and witness to the main events of its history (from pirate attacks to D. Miguel's departure to exile), this beach is part of the face of Sines and part of the heart of its residents. Located next to the fishing port, it is as charming as ever and is well worth visiting in both summer and winter. The promenade is a popular place for walks and jogging.

S. Torpes Beach

The most popular beach in the district is closely associated with the legend of St Torpes, whose martyred body was washed up on the sands in the 1st Century of the Christian era. “São Torpes Raft”, a naval archaeological curiosity, is still occasionally used for fishing.

Pessegueiro Island beach

The Carthaginians and the Romans used the Pessegueiro Island Canal as a port of shelter on the difficult northward journey along the Alentejo coast. Remains of a Roman salt fish plant were found on the island. (The island takes its name from “piscis”, meaning fish, rather than from peach tree, the meaning of the Portuguese word, pessegueiro). At the end of the 16th Century, plans were made to use the island as a great seaport (some of the blocks used to begin construction can still be seen).

The beach of Porto Covo

There are no beaches like the beaches of Porto Covo, one of the prettiest villages in Portugal, located on one of the most beautiful coastlines. The Praia Grande and Praia da Ilha beaches are large and easily accessible. The whole coastline is rich in small cosy beaches of fine sand and clear water, separated by large rocks that seem as if they have been deliberately placed there to create a feeling of intimacy and seclusion. The beaches belong to everybody, but it is tempting to say: “choose your own!” - Oliveirinha, Foz, Burrinho, Samoqueira (and how magnificent is Samoqueira...), Pequena, Espingardeiro and Búzios are some of the names of these treasures, as precious as they are small. All these beaches are of the best quality in terms of standards of cleanliness, but access to some of them is difficult and not all of them are permanently manned by lifeguards.