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A green fishing boat beached on the shore of the Albufeira lagoon, among reedsAlvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to do · Sesimbra

Birds at Lagoa Pequena and the Albufeira lagoon

Bird hides in one of Portugal's most important wetlands, 15 km from Sesimbra · 2 h · Free

InformationFree
Price
Free
Duration
2 h
Season
All year; best in autumn, winter and spring
Who it's for
Everyone; binoculars

The municipality of Sesimbra has two special protection areas for birds: Cabo Espichel and Lagoa Pequena, next to the great Albufeira lagoon, one of the largest wetlands in mainland Portugal. At Lagoa Pequena there is an interpretation space with trails and hides from which you can see purple swamphens, mallards, purple herons and stonechats.

Entry is free. It is open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 (from 15 June to 15 September, from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30), with last entry one hour before closing. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday and public holidays; Thursday is for schools only. It is on the EN 377, about 20 minutes by car from the centre.

As a family

Directions See all of Sesimbra

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The dining room with yellow tablecloths, with the tables laid© Restaurante O Canhão

O Canhão Restaurant

Restaurant · Sesimbra · €€€€

What to order: a cataplana or the caldeirada for two, which are pot dishes to share; if there are more of you, the wreckfish massada.

O Rodinhas Seafood Restaurant

Restaurant · Sesimbra · €€€€

What to order: the fried cuttlefish, which is what the house presents as its speciality, and some shellfish to share.

To stay nearby

The Hotel do Mar above Sesimbra bay© Hotel do MarHotel

Hotel do Mar

All rooms with a sea view · Three pools, one indoor · Free parking

Why we like it: 168-room hotel on terraces above Praia do Ouro, all with a sea-view balcony, three pools and free parking.

View details
The hotel entrance on the seafront promenade, with palm trees and the sea behind© SANA Sesimbra HotelHotel

SANA Sesimbra Hotel

On the seafront promenade · Rooftop pool · Town centre on foot

Why we like it: Four-star hotel on the front line of the promenade, in the centre of Sesimbra, with a rooftop pool and a hot tub with views.

View details
Spa hotel

Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel

Direct beach access · Infinity pool and indoor pool · Spa

Why we like it: Five-star hotel next to Praia da Califórnia, with 84 rooms and 8 suites with sea balconies, an infinity pool and a spa.

View details

Useful services

More to do nearby

Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/sesimbra/things-to-do/lagoa-pequena-and-albufeira-lagoon