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Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina
Rice fields at Comporta, clifftop villages and wild beaches to Cape St Vincent.
- Distance
- 254 km (158 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 30 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 5
- Countries
- Portugal
- Updated
- July 11, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 254 km (158 mi) with 5 stops, from Lisbon to Sagres. About 3 h 30 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Portugal · More road trips from Lisbon
Route description
From Lisbon cross the Tagus and head south to Setúbal, where a car ferry crosses the Sado estuary to the Tróia peninsula. From here the road runs south to Comporta, an area of rice fields, storks and long, empty beaches.
The coast road continues south past Sines and Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes, a white town on the estuary of the river Mira. The Rota Vicentina walking trails, including the clifftop Fishermen’s Trail, follow the coast from here.
Zambujeira do Mar is a small village on the cliffs above a beach, and the route continues south along the N120 to the Algarve. It ends at Sagres, with its fortress on the headland and the lighthouse of Cape St Vincent, the south-westernmost point of mainland Europe.
The whole coast is part of a natural park, and overnight parking outside campsites and authorised areas is prohibited. The Atlantic is cold, with strong currents and waves, so swim only at beaches with lifeguards. Spring is the best season for walking, when the cliffs are covered in flowers.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Lisbon
Portugal - 261 km
Comporta
Portugal - 391 km
Vila Nova de Milfontes
Portugal - 428 km
Zambujeira do Mar
Portugal - 574 km
Sagres
Portugal
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Lisbon → Comporta · 61 km · 0 h 51 minOvernight nearby, for example: Ecoparque do Outão (18 km).
- Day 2: Comporta → Vila Nova de Milfontes · 91 km · 1 h 16 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Milfontes (< 1 km); Camping Porto Covo (14 km).
- Day 3: Vila Nova de Milfontes → Zambujeira do Mar · 28 km · 0 h 23 minOvernight nearby, for example: Parque de Campismo Zambujeira (< 1 km); Zambujeira do Mar - MEO Sudoeste (6 km).
- Day 4: Zambujeira do Mar → Sagres · 74 km · 1 h 01 minOvernight nearby, for example: Parque de Campismo de Sagres (2 km); Figueira Caravan Park (11 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- Lisbon: Low-emission zone. Older vehicles may be banned, and foreign vehicles often have to register before entering.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina?
4-day road trip of about 254 km (158 mi) with 5 stops, from Lisbon to Sagres. About 3 h 30 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 30 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina start and end?
It starts in Lisbon and ends in Sagres.
Which countries does Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina pass through?
Portugal.
Where can you camp along Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina?
OpenStreetMap lists 47 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Porto Covo, Parque de Campismo Zambujeira and Parque de Campismo de Sagres.
When is the best time for Alentejo coast and the Rota Vicentina?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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