A paradise still unknown
Salema beach
Considered by The Guardian and The Telegraph newspapers as “One of the 50 best beaches in the world” and one of the best in the “family” category, and also by Travel & Leisure magazine as “one of the most beautiful secret beaches in the world”, little Salema promises to welcome all those who pass by with open arms.
Inserted in the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Natural Park, Salema is a fishing port, where you can see the boats returning to the beach at the end of the work.
Rua dos Pescadores is the oldest historical legacy of Salema. Proof of this are the old images, existing in several of the village's restaurants.
Its human past goes back to a prehistory of about 8 thousand years, as indicated by the archaeological remains identified in the surroundings of the village.
In this secret village, still sheltered from the crowds, where life is simple and serenity reigns, there is a small treasure that is millions of years old. Dinosaur footprints that populated this region over 140 million years ago!
There are dozens of footprints scattered around the beaches of Salema and Praia Santa. The first ones were found on Salema beach 20 years ago, but they still remain unknown to many Algarve people.
Access to the footprints on Santa beach is much more difficult and winding. And attention that, probably, you will not be able to discover them without the accompaniment of a guide.
Costa Vicentina Natural Park
“Everything changes where the highway ends. Suddenly, beyond Lagos, there are no more commercial areas, water parks, posters announcing party nights (…) when you go down the window, the smell of eucalyptus and the sea air begins to enter (…) The Costa Vicentina is perfect for nostalgics seeking the innocent pleasures of a seaside holiday in Europe, as they used to be before the crowds”.
Traveling along the Costa Vicentina is crossing coastal landscapes worthy of any postcard and that “host” the most beautiful beaches in the country. It's finding the most beautiful corners with an immense variety of flora, which make for the most beautiful photograph of any professional or amateur photographer.
Ideal for those looking for areas of untouched nature and much sought after by hikers and nature sports practitioners.
It is an Algarve still in a wild, hidden state, which brings with it a unique and special energy. This magical corner of our planet, which delights surfers, promises to keep many secrets kept.
Beaches to visit
(distance from Salema Eco Camp)
SW COAST
Bordeira (16km)
Beloved (15km)
Ponta Ruiva (16km) – wonderful sunset
Shed (16km)
Cordoama (17km)
Castelejo (17km)
SOUTH COAST
Salema (1km)
Bunk Bed (Sagres) – (18km)
Mareta (Sagres) – (16km)
Tonel (17km)
Martinhal (17km)
Barranco (12km)
Blimunda and Baltasar (4.2km)
Furnas (4.6km)
Light (13km)
Zavial (7.6km)
Ingrina (8.3km)
Mouth of the River (3.7km)
Old Cabins (6.3km)
Fig tree (3.8km)
Burgau (8.4km)
Rota Vicentina
Spring and Autumn are the perfect seasons to walk the famous trails of the Rota Vicentina .
And the Fisherman's Trail , which Salema is part of, is probably one of the best coastal trails in the world.
Always by the sea, following the paths used by the locals to access the beaches and fishing grounds, it is a single track that can only be traveled on foot, along the cliffs, with lots of sand and therefore more demanding from a physical point of view.
A challenge to the permanent contact with the sea wind, the roughness of the coastal landscape and the presence of a wild and persistent nature.
It includes a total of 13 stages , covering a total of 226.5 km .
Routes
On the Sagres – Salema route , the hardest stage of the Fishermen’s Trail, the hiker is rewarded by the grandeur of the limestone cliffs, of unique shapes, adorned by the beautiful beaches of Martinhal, Barranco, Ingrina, Zavial, Furnas, Figueira and finally, Salema .
On the last stage inside the Natural Park, Salema – Luz , it is worth taking some binoculars to observe the birds that appear along this trail, especially if it is done early in the morning, while imagining the old pirate attacks. and privateers, on land and at sea.
