5 of the Best Hotels in Costa Vicentina + Insider Guide
Known for its spectacular wild beaches, Costa Vicentina is a hikers’ and surfers’ paradise.
Due to its wild nature, it’s rare to find places to stay that are right on the beach, so a car is definitely recommended to explore all the amazing beaches in Costa Vicentina.
We have a special soft spot for this region on the Western Coast of the Algarve. We have carefully handpicked a selection of our favourite Boutique Hotels and Rural Guesthouses in Costa Vicentina alongside some recommendations for beaches, restaurants and activities.
This article is divided into the following parts:
Praia do Canal Nature Retreat
Praia do Canal Nature Retreat is a five-star spa hotel in Costa Vicentina. This eco-conscious retreat offers 56 serene rooms, ocean views, three restaurants, a bar, an infinity pool, a gym, and a spa. Choose from Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, or the more luxurious Grand Suite Rooftop with a plunge pool and the Family Suite with a private pool. Explore 220 hectares of nature, wellness treatments, or activities like hiking, surfing, and wildlife watching.
Amaria
Set in a former quinta (farm), Amaria is a boutique hotel situated in the pristine Costa Vicentina Natural Park, just a short drive from the town of Aljezur. Amaria offers 11 minimalist designed suites, all with their own private patio and garden views, alongside a spacious three-bedroom apartment. This is the kind of place you come to enjoy mornings filled with the sounds of the ocean and birdsong.
Monte da Vilarinha
Monte da Vilarinha offers a peaceful stay in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, with stunning valley views and proximity to wild beaches. Accommodations range from studios to three-bedroom houses, all with kitchen access and a swimming pool. Enjoy a locally-sourced breakfast by the poolside restaurant and outdoor adventures like surfing, canoeing, cycling and walking.
The Lemon Lodge
The Lemon Lodge, nestled between Monchique's hills and Costa Vicentina's wild beaches, is an off-grid farmstead in rural Algarve. Founded by eco-conscious friends, it offers unique, eco-friendly accommodations near Aljezur, with its stunning beaches, surf spots, and historic trails.
Muxima
Muxima is an eco-friendly guesthouse perfectly nestled in a green valley near Aljezur. Here, owners’ Paula and Jelle want to share their great love for wild nature and good food with their guests. The houses are beautifully decorated with items collected from many travels and each room has its own, unique style, and are all surrounded by lush green gardens.
Casa da Oliveira
Casa da Oliveira - Monte Branco is a whitewashed traditional home that has been meticulously restored by its owner, an interior architect. Located in rural Aljezur, in the western Algarve, the house accommodates up to ten guests, Casa da Oliveira offers three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a delightful terrace with garden views.
Our favourite things to do and see in Costa Vicentina
We started exploring Costa Vicentina many years ago and the following are the spots that we keep going back to – we call them our ‘Costa Vicentina classics’.
One of the best things when driving through Costa Vicentina are the picturesque and charming villages such as Sagres, Vila do Bispo, Aljezur and Odeceixe, to name only a few. It makes such a special road trip.
Our Favourite Beaches in Costa Vicentina 🩴
The truth is, every local seems to have a different favourite beach. Our advice is for you to try to discover yours! This is 100% part of the fun of visiting Costa Vicentina. Take your time to stop by at all or most of them.
We literally and genuinely love all the beaches in Costa Vicentina, but the ones we tend to visit the most are Castelejo, Vale Figueiras, Monte Clérigo and Arrifana.
📍 Sagres
Praia do Tonel and Praia do Beliche
📍 Vila do Bispo
Praia do Castelejo and Praia da Cordoama
📍 Aljezur
Praia do Amado, Praia Vale Figueiras, Praia da Bordeira, Praia da Amoreira, Praia Monte Clérigo, Praia da Arrifana and Praia de Odeceixe
Our Favourite Restaurants in Costa Vicentina 🍽️
🏖️ By the beach
Cal on Arrifana Beach
O Sargo on Monte Clérigo
🦞 Fish and seafood
O Paulo
O Sítio do Rio
🍴 Traditional Portuguese food
Ponte a Pé
Eira do Mel
🍝 International
Arte Bianca (Italian)
Pizza Pazza (Italian)
Maxi's Warung (Indo Thai)
Surfing in Costa Vicentina 🏄
The wild beaches of Costa Vicentina are considered a Mecca for surfers, so you will find many beaches with surf schools on site such as Arrifana, Monte Clérigo and Praia do Amado. Arrifana Surf School and Boa Onda Surf School are two of the best schools in the area.
Hiking 🥾
Discover hiking routes and trails on the excellent Rota Vicentina website. You will find a dedicated network of walking and cycling trails in Costa Vicentina.
Watch Dolphins, Whales, Seabirds, Sea Turtles 🐬 🐋 🐢
Explore the ocean with Mar Ilimitado – a team of marine biologists that specialises in marine wildlife and has a range of cool boat tours.
So there you go, those are what we consider to be some of the Best Boutique Hotels and Rural Guesthouses in Costa Vicentina in the Algarve right now. We hope you like them as much as we do. If you are exploring other areas you might also want to check out The Best Hotels in the Algarve.
If you are interested in visiting other parts of Portugal, you might also be interested in checking out our handpicked list of the Best Hotels in Portugal.
Here's hoping you create new memories here in Portugal. Tag us on Instagram (we would love it if you do!) and let us know how it goes. 🤗
Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about our new picks of places to stay and go in Portugal.
Obrigada,
xx
Joana and Sofia
© Photos by JO&SO and by each of the mentioned places.
Please note that sometimes we use affiliate links and receive a small referral commission from sales, at no additional cost to you. Everything we recommend in our website is handpicked by ourselves and 100% because we like it. By booking through JO&SO you are supporting what we are doing, helping us to keep running the website. For more details read our disclaimer.