Discover the mysteries of this unique part of the Algarve, beginning with the river and beach landscapes that characterise the Ribeira de Ceixe.

One by one, discover the beaches around Aljezur. At Monte Clérigo, on a beach between verdant cliffs, you’ll find one of the best places in the area for enjoying grilled fish or seafood.

Walk up the steep hills of Aljezur to the 10th-Century Moorish castle, the last to be captured from the Moors in Portugal. From its ruins, enjoy the view over the town’s white houses and the Serra de Monchique in the distance.

Lose yourself in the fields of brightly coloured flowers that decorate the narrow tracks leading to the beaches. In Vila do Bispo, make sure you visit the parish church, its walls lined with tiles from top to bottom.

Head on to the Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent), the southwestern tip of Europe, and considered to be the “world’s end” in the Middle Ages. By the reign of Dom Manuel I, the headland already had a beacon kept lit all night by the Capuchin friars. With a range of 95 kilometres, the present-day lighthouse is one of the most powerful in Europe.

It was in Sagres that the epic maritime adventures of the Portuguese began under the command of Prince Henry the Navigator. Here you can enjoy a fantastic view over the Atlantic Ocean from the headland. At the Fortaleza do Infante, take a look at the immense wind compass (43 metres wide), and visit the Capela da Nossa Senhora da Graça.