Porto Covo: The Alentejo's Prettiest Coastal Village

Porto Covo is a picture-perfect whitewashed village on the Alentejo coast, with a pretty main square, small coves tucked into dark cliffs, and the island of Pessegueiro offshore with its fort ruins. It’s the northern starting point of the Fishermen’s Trail.

Quick answer: Porto Covo is about 1 hour 45 minutes south of Lisbon. Wander the white-and-blue village, swim in the sheltered coves, walk to the beach facing Ilha do Pessegueiro, and start the Fishermen’s Trail south to Milfontes. See places to stay in Porto Covo.

Things to do

• The village: low white houses with blue trim around a central square.
• The coves: small beaches among the rocks, right below the village.
• Ilha do Pessegueiro: an island with the ruins of a fort, opposite a beach with another fort on the mainland.
• The Fishermen’s Trail: the first stage runs south along the cliffs to Vila Nova de Milfontes. See Costa Vicentina.
• Seafood: grilled fish and percebes (goose barnacles), a local delicacy.

Nearby

• Vila Nova de Milfontes: see Milfontes.
• Sines: Vasco da Gama’s birthplace, with a castle.
• Comporta: see Comporta.

Tips

• August: very busy. Spring and September are ideal.
• Water: cold and sometimes rough. Choose sheltered coves.

More: the most beautiful small towns and Portugal’s hidden gems.

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