Motorcycle road trip through Costa Vicentina

We start in Porto Covo, old fishing village that still retains the charm of other times. Praia Grande has good access and infrastructure, including a restaurant that serves good fish, and is surrounded by cliffs that shelter it from the wind. In addition, it is also much sought after by surfers. On your way to the next beach, you will not resist tracing Rui Veloso's famous song: "gnawing an orange on the cliff / looking ahead at the dark blue."

Very close to Porto Covo, we find the Pessegueiro Island Beach, right in front of the island that bears its name. The beach is long, with white sand and clear blue waters, and good beach facilities and restaurants. You can take a boat trip to the island, where there are several interesting archaeological remains.

Just 15 kilometres away is the Malhão Beach, next to Vila Nova de Milfontes, with an extensive sandy beach divided into three parts: the south is bounded by a cliff and the north is highlighted by the dunes, with the central part divided in three small beaches. The wide sandy beach with fine white sand allows privacy, especially the northern area, prone to naturism.

The whole coast of Vila Nova de Milfontes is amazing, so here we continue to the beautiful Farol Beach. It is located at the mouth of the Mira River, on the north bank of the river, making it a beach with calm waters. It has good support facilities and a restaurant that offers good fish meals. One area of the beach boasts original stone “sculptures” that are being created by visitors.

Between Vila Nova de Milfontes and Zambujeira do Mar, a much sought after region during the MEO Sudoeste festival, lies the beach of Almograve. With an extensive shore, it is divided into a sand area against the dunes and a more rocky area, surrounded by cliffs. The highlight of this beach goes to its natural pools, which only form when the tide is low, delighting the visitors.

Embedded in a beautiful cliff, the Beach of Zambujeira do Mar is protected from strong winds by two cliffs that descend to the sea. It is one of the most emblematic beaches of the Alentejo Coast, fame that grew with the music festival that takes place here in August. It offers good surfing and bodyboarding conditions and there are several restaurants nearby.

We head further south to the municipality of Aljezur, to Odeceixe, a cosy and friendly fishing village. Situated between cliffs, Odeceixe Beach is crossed by the Seixe stream, which separates the Alentejo from the Algarve, making it a beach between the river and the sea. It was classified as one of the 7 Wonders - Beaches of Portugal, due to its beauty, high landscape quality and biodiversity.

Near the beautiful village of Aljezur, we find the magnificent Amoreira Beach which, like the previous one, has a sea area and a river zone. Here, the mouth of the Aljezur stream forms a small estuarine lagoon strip of great natural beauty, surrounded by a dune field that reaches the horizon. At low tide, intriguing rock formations are discovered.

Right next door, just a kilometre away, the Monte Clérigo Beach immediately captivates visitors with the magnificent panoramic view that the descent to the beach provides. It is divided into a vast sandy beach to the north and a rocky platform to the south where, at low tide, it is possible to observe different marine life. All around, the imposing shale cliffs complete the scenery.

We finish our tour at Arrifana Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, located in the fishing village with the same name. Do not let the access staircase demotivate you, and soak up the magnificent views over the schist cliffs and typical houses, until you reach the small bay with its 500-metre long sandy beach, a true surfer's paradise. Finish the road trip in beauty, enjoying the sunset and snacking in one of the beach front restaurants.