# Two Nights in Sesimbra and Azeitão, 40 Minutes from Lisbon: Coves by Boat, Fish and Moscatel A boat to a turquoise-water cove, the castle and Cabo Espichel at sunset, cataplana facing the fort and, on Sunday, moscatel tastings and lunch in Azeitão. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/sesimbra/itineraries/two-nights-with-coves-and-moscatel · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Sesimbra In a day from Lisbon, you see Sesimbra; in two nights, you make the most of it. The difference is the sea: with a whole day you can take the boat to the Ribeiro do Cavalo cove, stay there until the afternoon and be back in time for Cabo Espichel at sunset. On Sunday, on the way back to Lisbon, you stop in Azeitão to taste moscatel at two wineries that are also open that day. ## How do you get there from Lisbon? By car, over the 25 de Abril Bridge and the A2, about 40 minutes. Without a car, Carris Metropolitana bus 3721 leaves from Sete Rios and drops you five minutes from the beach; for Azeitão, on Sunday, take the 4730 towards Lisbon, which stops there, or do the day by car. ## Where to sleep? AccommodationAreaWho it suits Hotel do MarAbove Praia do OuroAll rooms facing the sea, free parking, three pools SANA SesimbraOn the promenade, in the centreNo car, everything on foot, rooftop pool Sesimbra Oceanfront HotelPraia da CalifórniaCouple, spa, five stars ## What if it is not summer? From October to May the boats to the coves depend on the sea and many do not sail. Swap Saturday morning for the market (open until 14:00, Tuesday to Sunday) and the Maritime Museum, and the afternoon for the bird observatories at Lagoa Pequena, which open on Saturday and Sunday. ## El plan ### Friday · 19:00 · Arrival and cataplana facing the fort Leave the car at the hotel and walk down to Rua da Fortaleza. Dinner of cataplana or caldeirada for two at O Canhão; call ahead. ### Saturday · 10:00 · Boat to the Ribeiro do Cavalo cove From the harbour, Vertente Natural takes you to the cove for €18 and picks you up up to seven hours later. Bring water, food and shade: there is nothing there. ### Saturday · 17:00 · The castle Back in the village, climb to the castle: free, open until 20:00 in summer, with the whole bay at your feet. ### Saturday · 19:00 · Sunset at Cabo Espichel 15 km away, the sanctuary and the lighthouse at the cliff edge. A late dinner at O Rodinhas, open without a break until 22:30 (closed on Wednesday; cash only). ### Sunday · 11:00 · Azeitão wineries You leave the hotel and in about 25 minutes you are in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão. A visit with a tasting at José Maria da Fonseca from €12, with Periquita and century-old moscatels. ### Sunday · 13:30 · Lunch at the Wine Corner In the same Casa Museu, open every day. Afterwards, if you feel like it, the Bacalhôa museum winery (€7, tours at 14:30 and 15:30) and tortas from the Rossio before heading back to Lisbon. ## Consejos ### Book the boat and the tasting Both have limited places in summer. ### Sleep somewhere with parking In August parking in central Sesimbra is almost impossible: Hotel do Mar has free parking. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Is it worth sleeping in Sesimbra? Yes, to have a whole day of sea and Cabo Espichel at sunset without driving back to Lisbon at night. ### Are the Azeitão wineries open on Sunday? Yes, José Maria da Fonseca and the Bacalhôa museum winery; the Bacalhôa palace is closed. ### Can it be done without a car? On Friday and Saturday, yes, with bus 3721 and the boat. For Azeitão, bus 4730. ## Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Hotel do Mar**: Above the widest beach in the bay The Hotel do Mar is on a hillside facing Praia do Ouro, a few steps from the centre of Sesimbra and about 40 km from Lisbon airport. The buildings descend in terraces among hanging gardens, which is why all the rooms have a balcony or terrace with a sea view. It has 168: doubles, twins, one single, eight suites and one adapted room. What it has Three pools (two outdoor and one heated indoor, swimming cap compulsory), a sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts and free private parking, which in Sesimbra in summer is worth its weight in gold. The 300-seat Miramar restaurant serves Portuguese and international cooking; there is also a panoramic bar over the bay and, from June to October, a pool bar. The hotel organises try dives in the pool and in the sea and boat trips to see dolphins, and has car and bike hire and airport transfers for a supplement. Who it is for For families and for those arriving from Lisbon without a car: the bus terminal is about ten minutes' walk away. The beach is below. - **Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel**: At the end of Praia da Califórnia The Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel is on the east side of the bay, at the edge of Praia da Califórnia, with direct access to the sand. It has 84 rooms and 8 suites, all with a balcony onto the Atlantic, and Turismo de Lisboa gives it five-star status. The town centre and the Fortaleza de Santiago are a stroll along the seafront. What it has An outdoor infinity pool, a heated indoor pool and a spa. The spa is for over-16s; children aged 3 to 15 can enter accompanied from 11:00 to 12:00. For eating, the MarLuso restaurant, serving Portuguese cooking, a poké bar for something light and the Horizonte bar. Check-in is from 16:00 and check-out until 12:00. Who it is for For a couple's getaway with beach and spa, 40 minutes from Lisbon. With small children, bear in mind the restricted spa hours. - **SANA Sesimbra Hotel**: On the promenade, in the centre The SANA Sesimbra is on Avenida 25 de Abril, the seafront promenade of Praia da Califórnia, in the centre of the town: from the door to the water is a matter of seconds. From here you have everything on foot: the Fortaleza de Santiago, the market, the restaurants and the Lisbon bus terminal. What it has Its trump card is the rooftop: a pool at the top of the building, a bar with an outdoor area and a sky lounge with a hot tub with views over the hills and the sea. It has a restaurant and paid parking, useful in a centre where parking in summer is difficult. Who it is for For those who come from Lisbon without a car and want to get around on foot, or for a short night of beach and fish. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Hotel do Mar**: Above the widest beach in the bay The Hotel do Mar is on a hillside facing Praia do Ouro, a few steps from the centre of Sesimbra and about 40 km from Lisbon airport. The buildings descend in terraces among hanging gardens, which is why all the rooms have a balcony or terrace with a sea view. It has 168: doubles, twins, one single, eight suites and one adapted room. What it has Three pools (two outdoor and one heated indoor, swimming cap compulsory), a sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts and free private parking, which in Sesimbra in summer is worth its weight in gold. The 300-seat Miramar restaurant serves Portuguese and international cooking; there is also a panoramic bar over the bay and, from June to October, a pool bar. The hotel organises try dives in the pool and in the sea and boat trips to see dolphins, and has car and bike hire and airport transfers for a supplement. Who it is for For families and for those arriving from Lisbon without a car: the bus terminal is about ten minutes' walk away. The beach is below. - **SANA Sesimbra Hotel**: On the promenade, in the centre The SANA Sesimbra is on Avenida 25 de Abril, the seafront promenade of Praia da Califórnia, in the centre of the town: from the door to the water is a matter of seconds. From here you have everything on foot: the Fortaleza de Santiago, the market, the restaurants and the Lisbon bus terminal. What it has Its trump card is the rooftop: a pool at the top of the building, a bar with an outdoor area and a sky lounge with a hot tub with views over the hills and the sea. It has a restaurant and paid parking, useful in a centre where parking in summer is difficult. Who it is for For those who come from Lisbon without a car and want to get around on foot, or for a short night of beach and fish. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Hotel do Mar**: Above the widest beach in the bay The Hotel do Mar is on a hillside facing Praia do Ouro, a few steps from the centre of Sesimbra and about 40 km from Lisbon airport. The buildings descend in terraces among hanging gardens, which is why all the rooms have a balcony or terrace with a sea view. It has 168: doubles, twins, one single, eight suites and one adapted room. What it has Three pools (two outdoor and one heated indoor, swimming cap compulsory), a sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts and free private parking, which in Sesimbra in summer is worth its weight in gold. The 300-seat Miramar restaurant serves Portuguese and international cooking; there is also a panoramic bar over the bay and, from June to October, a pool bar. The hotel organises try dives in the pool and in the sea and boat trips to see dolphins, and has car and bike hire and airport transfers for a supplement. Who it is for For families and for those arriving from Lisbon without a car: the bus terminal is about ten minutes' walk away. The beach is below. - **Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel**: At the end of Praia da Califórnia The Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel is on the east side of the bay, at the edge of Praia da Califórnia, with direct access to the sand. It has 84 rooms and 8 suites, all with a balcony onto the Atlantic, and Turismo de Lisboa gives it five-star status. The town centre and the Fortaleza de Santiago are a stroll along the seafront. What it has An outdoor infinity pool, a heated indoor pool and a spa. The spa is for over-16s; children aged 3 to 15 can enter accompanied from 11:00 to 12:00. For eating, the MarLuso restaurant, serving Portuguese cooking, a poké bar for something light and the Horizonte bar. Check-in is from 16:00 and check-out until 12:00. Who it is for For a couple's getaway with beach and spa, 40 minutes from Lisbon. With small children, bear in mind the restricted spa hours. - **SANA Sesimbra Hotel**: On the promenade, in the centre The SANA Sesimbra is on Avenida 25 de Abril, the seafront promenade of Praia da Califórnia, in the centre of the town: from the door to the water is a matter of seconds. From here you have everything on foot: the Fortaleza de Santiago, the market, the restaurants and the Lisbon bus terminal. What it has Its trump card is the rooftop: a pool at the top of the building, a bar with an outdoor area and a sky lounge with a hot tub with views over the hills and the sea. It has a restaurant and paid parking, useful in a centre where parking in summer is difficult. Who it is for For those who come from Lisbon without a car and want to get around on foot, or for a short night of beach and fish.