When you plan to walk the Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal in its entirety, preparation is key. Besides practicing long walks and packing, part of the preparation is where you’ll sleep at night as you walk from one village to the next. Because accommodation along the trail is limited, in high demand, and pricey, I booked my Fishermen’s Trail accommodations in advance.
In Spring 2025, I walked the Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal during one continuous journey, on my own. I walked from Praia do São Torpes (2 hours from Lisbon) in the Alentejo region to Lagos in the South of Portugal. I did this in 13 walking stages, and I’d like to share my own experiences, practical tips, and inspire you to explore the dramatic coastline of Portugal on your own.
Note about the blog: I paid for everything in full myself. I was not paid or sponsored. All my opinions and experiences are my own.
Probe around the Globe does use affiliate links. If you decide to follow one of my links and make a purchase, I’ll earn a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you.
🌦️ Check the weather forecast from IPMA;
🥾 Use appropriate equipment: sturdy footwear, waterproof clothing and hiking poles;
🗺️ Know the trail you plan to follow: consult the stage page on the website, check the alerts section and review the interactive map;
❗ Exercise caution in difficult passages.
🔥 Be aware of possible extreme events (e.g. wildfires or floods).
Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal
The Fishermen’s Trail is a 226,5 kilometers long (140.75 miles) continuous, coastal hiking trail in the Southwest of Portugal. It starts at a beach called Praia do São Torpes. Or São Torpes Beach. It follows the coastline south, through the Alentejo region, to the Algarve and ends in Lagos at the train station. It is called Trilha dos Pescadores in Portuguese.
On the trail, you pass many beaches, cliff tops, sleepy little villages, and major beach resorts. In some places, accommodation is abundant; in others, guesthouses are limited and pricey.
Where I slept on the Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal
To make things super easy for you, here is a list of all the accommodations I’ve stayed at along the Fishermen’s Trail. Just follow the link and book if available.
I’ll provide more background information about each place and a few alternatives below. Just scroll down and check out my recommendations per town.
- MUTE Hostel in Porto Covo – 4-bed dorm, breakfast, and swimming pool, right on the trail
- BLUE GUIDE Milfontes in Vila Nova de Milfontes – double bed, ensuite, central in the village, and lovely breakfast
- Refúgio do Almograve in Almograve – double bedroom with shared bathroom (1 other room) and kitchen, free to do laundry
- Sunset Beach House in Zambujeiro do Mar – on the trail, at the beach, private bedroom, shared luxury house with 3 other rooms
- Apartamentos Cavaco in Odexeice – private apartment with a kitchen, on the trail in the center of the village
- Vicentina Hotel in Aljezur – a typical hotel, a little bit off the trail in Aljezur. The popular alternative is the Amazigh Hostel & Suites.
- Hotel Vale Da Telha in Aljezur/Arrifana. Off-trail, about 2 km from Arrifana beach. Great breakfast, swimming pool, and big rooms.
- Carrapateira Lodge in Carrapateira. Private rooms with en-suite or shared bathroom. Shared kitchen.
- Lilas’ Private Accommodation in Vila do Bispo. Private rooms with private or shared bathrooms. Shared kitchen and washing machine.
- Tonel Apartamentos Turisticos in Sagres. Private rooms or apartments. Swimming pool. Nothing wrong with it, but I think you can do better.
- Apartamentos Salema Praia Club in Salema. On the trail, spacious apartments. Swimming pool. A bit outdated. A very popular alternative is Salema Eco Camp – Sustainable Camping & Glamping, which is 3 km up a steep hill off-trail.
- Vilamar in Luz. Big spacious hotel rooms, swimming pool. Great value for money, but not in town.
- Charming Residence & Guest House Dom Manuel I Adults only in Lagos. Amazing place, way more expensive than anything else on the list, but this oasis of calm was my (expensive) treat at the end of the trail. 100% worth it, if not for the breakfast alone. But Lagos is bursting at the seams with affordable (and expensive) accommodation, so you can always find something.
Finding the best Fishermen’s Trail accommodations
The Fishermen’s Trail is not like a camino, where there are cheap pilgrim hostels and you can decide on the day if you walk to the next village or not.
On the Fishermen’s Trail, the stages are pretty much set, as there are hardly any other villages in between. As you pass large nature reserves and beach sections, options to cut inland and shorten or lengthen your day are limited.
As the stages are set, it takes some preparation to book your accommodation. Of course, if you hike during the off-season, you can wing it. But in popular walking months like April/May/June, and September/October, I strongly recommend booking in advance. In the hot summer months of July and August, I wouldn’t advise walking the trail, as it is too hot. And you’d be competing with the holiday makers and surfers for the few accommodations in the towns.
Accommodation in the Alentejo region
If you walk the Fishermen’s Trail from North to South, you’ll start in the Alentejo region. This region of Portugal is sparsely populated, and villages are small. Not many people pick one of the villages on the trail for a week of holiday, so most accommodations are geared for the 1-night stay of the walkers.
I found that in the Alentejo region, there are more options for hostel-like accommodations, with shared rooms and facilities. Some houses and apartments with shared facilities but private rooms, and hotels are hard to find here.
Most towns, depending on the size, have at least one mini-market for your essentials for lunch, as well as water and soft drinks. A few restaurants, but they can get busy quickly.
Overall, I found the accommodation in the Alentejo region more affordable. I booked a few months in advance and picked my accommodation based on location, comfort, and price. I paid around €55 to €65 for a private room, sometimes a bit more or less. The price for 2 persons is roughly the same, but I travelled solo.
Accommodation in the Algarve
Once you pass the river in Odexeice, you’re in the Algarve region. The villages here were bigger, with more surfers and more holiday rentals. Luxurious villas with infinity pools and sky-rocketing prices.
Especially once you’re in the south Algarve, around Sagres, Salema, Luz, and Lagos, the choice of accommodation is abundant. But also pricier. As most holiday homes are rented out for a week to holiday makers, you pay a premium for a one-night stay.
Options for private rooms in guest houses are more prominent here. I paid roughly between 70 euros and 115 euros for my stays here. I also found the prices for food and drinks in the (south) Algarve higher.
Why you should book your accommodation in advance on the Fishermen’s Trail
As mentioned before, the Fishermen’s Trail is not a camino. Most people follow the set stages of the trail, simply because there aren’t many alternatives or deviations anyway!
Reasons why you should book your accommodation on the Fishermen’s Trail in advance:
- Limited availability of accommodation in the small villages
- High prices on popular weekends, national holidays, and vacations. Booking in advance can help secure discounts
- Popular accommodation in small towns due to holiday makers, surfers, and other trail walkers
- You walk from village to village, and if you book in advance, no hassle at the end of your day
- Private rental places work with a key box; you never see the owner. So booking, paying, and arranging for the keys in advance is essential.
- Everything can be paid in advance, online. You don’t need to worry about high sums of cash and spread the costs a little bit
Where to stay on the Fishermen’s Trail – town by town
Of course, feel free to copy my list above with all the places I stayed at. I can recommend all of them. Below, I’ll explain a bit more why I picked that particular place and give you some other Fishermen’s Trail accommodation options.
Sines
Going from North to South, the Fishermen’s Trail officially starts at Praia de São Torpes. This is a beach, a few kilometers south of the industrial town of Sines. I took a bus from Lisbon to Sines and started the 10 km walk to Porto Covo on the same day. So I didn’t need any accommodation here.
If your bus arrives late, or you finish the trail here, you might want to consider staying overnight. You can take a taxi, Uber, or Bolt to the beach at São Torpes.
Hostel: The Origens Hostel is the place to go in Sines. Centrally located, they have a few shared dorms and shared facilities. They also offer a double room for a bit more privacy.
Hotel: Sines Sea View Business & Leisure Hotel. They have plenty of rooms and facilities, ranging from superior doubles to suites and spa and wellness facilities.
Porto Covo
If you start in Porto Covo, you most likely will not stay overnight here. But I started in São Torpes, and my first stop on the Fishermen’s Trail was Porto Covo.
Hostel: I stayed at the MUTE Hostel in Porto Covo. I booked a 4-bed dorm. The breakfast was included and great! They also have 8-bed dorms and private double rooms. The rooftop bar is a great hangout place as well as the swimming pool. This hostel is right on the trail!
Another great option would be the Ahoy Porto Covo Hostel, which is a bit smaller, with 8-bed dorms and a more homely feel to it.
Hotel: The Hotel Apartamento Porto Covo is located a little bit outside the town, but it is not far from the trail. They have apartments, but also twin and double rooms, as well as small studios. The pool beckons you for a refreshing dip.
Apartments: In Porto Covo, you’ll find plenty of different apartments, guesthouses, and private rentals. They range in price, size, and number of people they can sleep. Almost all have great reviews and ratings, so it seems you can’t go wrong with them. Find yours here.
Vila Nova de Milfontes
After a long day of slugging through the sand, arriving in Vila Nova de Milfontes is a real treat. My guesthouse was a real hit, and I loved it. It was one of the cheapest accommodations I booked on the Fishermen’s Trail, and it had everything you needed.
Overall, prices in Vila Nova de Milfontes seemed a lot lower than nearby Porto Covo. Of course, even here you can splurge, but affordable accommodation is not hard to find.
I arrived on a Sunday, after 2 pm, and I visited several supermarkets, but all were already closed. Keep that in mind if you want to self-cater in Milfontes.
Guesthouse: I stayed at BLUE GUIDE Milfontes. It is located in the center of Vila Nova de Milfontes, on a nice, cozy square with several restaurants and bars in the vicinity. It is a house with a shared kitchen and several private ensuite double rooms. In the morning, the owner came to make everyone a spectacular breakfast.
They were very friendly, eager to help, and they even sell tickets for the ferry across!
Hostels: Take your pick, from MUTE Hostel Milfontes, with their 10- and 4-bed mixed and female-only dorms. To the Pirata hostel Milfontes and the Pirata Milfontes Guest House, with 4-bed dorms and twin privates.
Hotels: If you would rather stay at a hotel, there are a few smaller hotels in Vila Nova de Milfonts. Like The Bulldog Inn, or the Blue Bamboo Hotel, both by Duna Parque Resorts & Hotels. Centrally located in town, and clean and sleek designs.
Almograve
Almograve is one of those small villages with very limited accommodation options.
Guesthouse/Apartment: I stayed at Refúgio do Almograve in Almograve. It was an apartment with a big kitchen, living room, laundry room, and bathroom. I had a double bedroom (private) and there was one other bedroom (3-bed). I did my laundry there too. You do share the bathroom with the other bedroom, but that was ok for me.
Hostels: Top Pick is the Almograve Beach Hostel, with 4-bed dorm rooms and a shared kitchen. Another top pick is HI Almograve – Pousada de Juventude. They have male and female dorm rooms with shared facilities, as well as private twin rooms.
Hotel: The closest thing to a hotel in Almograve is the Vicentina Rooms by Casas do Alentejo. They have a pool and a whole range of double, twin, and triple rooms. As well as suites and family rooms. Most arranged packaged walking holiday companies use it, so it books up quickly.
Alternative: Stay in Cavaleiro
If you can’t find accommodation in Almograve, you can continue for another 10 km along the coast, on the Fishermen’s Trail, until you reach Cavaleiro. This is a reasonably sized village that offers a few accommodation options.
Check out accommodation in Cavaleiro here.
Zambujeira do Mar
Zambujeira do Mar is a bigger village, but it also has a few very appealing beaches. Here, hikers and holiday makers mix together, so it can get busy in high season.
I decided on an extra day in the village to rest and recharge.
Guesthouse/Apartment: I stayed at the Sunset Beach House. It was right on the trail, with views of the beaches of Zambujeira do Mar. It was a very luxurious house with a terrace, a spacious living room, with a well-fitted kitchen. They had a washing machine you could use. On the ground level, there were two private double rooms, with one shared bathroom. In the basement, there were another 2 private double rooms, with their shared bathroom. It felt very homy and I was glad I stayed the extra night, but you can also book it for just one-night stays.
Another great option would be the very popular Sol Dourado. This charming Portuguese residency has spacious private rooms (Twin, double, singles, and a dorm room). It is close to the trail, the beach, and the supermarket.
Hostels: There are a few hostels with dorm rooms and private twin/double rooms. For example, the Hostel Nature. They have a shared kitchen and a washing machine for guests. The Hakuna Matata Hostel is very close to the beach and offers a range of different rooms.
Odexeice
Once you reach Odexeice beach, you think: I’m here! I’ve made it! However, Odexeice village is located another 4 km walk inland, along the river. The village is small, and the next day, it is another 4 km walk, on the other side of the river, to Odexeice beach. Depending on sea levels, you can cross the river if you want to skip the walk inland and back, but it is tricky at best.
Apartment: I stayed at a private apartment in the middle of Odexeice town. Apartamentos Cavaco in Odexeice is a private house with one bedroom, a living room, a bathroom, a terrace, and a kitchen. It seemed a bit much for my solo, one-night stay, but it was affordable and private, and right on the trail.
Hostels: Both the Surf Seixe Guest House and the Horta do Vale – Nature House are good options for shared dorm rooms and great vibes. Hostel Seixe has a lot of dormitory rooms, so take your pick!
Hotel: The closest to a hotel in Odexeice seems to be the AL-Odeceixe Verde. It’s not-to-miss green facade houses warm and welcoming double rooms, and they serve a stellar breakfast!
Odexeice Beach
If you decide to continue beyond Odexeice, or cross the river at low tide, staying in Odexeice Beach can be a good option too. It mainly has private rental rooms and apartments, but you can try the Casa Dorita. They have a range of different rooms, some facing the river for amazing views.
Restaurants are mainly beach bars, and I didn’t see a supermarket here, so make sure to stock up in Odexeice, just in case.
Aljezur
Aljezur is located inland. The town is divided into two parts. You can cross the bridge over the river, and this is also where the bus station is.
Coming from the north, you also pass the town of Rogil. If you want a shorter day, you can stay overnight in Rogil. Find your Rogil accommodation here.
Hotel: I stayed in Aljezur at the Vicentina Hotel. This is located on the other side of town, across the river. It is a very typical hotel, with spacious rooms and bathrooms. I had a balcony and the hotel has a pool, but it was very windy when I stayed there. The breakfast is a bit chaotic, but good. The hotel is very popular with guided hiking groups, so chances are you’ll run into your fellow hikers here again.
Hostel: A popular hostel in Aljezur is the Amazigh Hostel & Suites. It is located right on the trail, at the bridge. They offer a great hostel vibe, shared dorm rooms, as well as private rooms. If they don’t have any availability, check back again closer to your dates, as their agenda doesn’t open up all the time.
Arrifana
There is also an Arrifana in the north of Portugal, so make sure to look for “Praia da Arrifana” if you want to stay on the trail. I found Arrifana a weird village. From the Ponta da Atalaia on the coast, it seems the village fans out and mostly consists of private holiday homes and rental properties.
Then you’ll have a lot of accommodations again close to Praia da Arrifana. Check the map, as the beachfront properties might be really at the bottom of the beach, and it is a very steep road to climb back up again.
I had another rest day, and I decided not to stay at the beach. Mostly because I wanted a private room, and everything seemed so expensive.
Hotel: I stayed at Hotel Vale Da Telha. According to the map, it is officially located in Aljezur. It was near the roundabout in town, close to the supermarket and 2 restaurants. From the hotel, it was about 2 km to Arrifana beach and back on the Fishermen’s Trail. They had a great breakfast, a swimming pool, and big rooms.
Hostels: On the trail and close to the beach is The Lighthouse Hostel Arrifana. They offer a swimming pool, a welcoming lounge area, and they offer dorm rooms and private rooms.
Carrapateira
Carrapateira is another one of those small villages with very limited options for accommodation on the Fishermen’s Trail. They have one small supermarket, which is closed on Sunday, so plan accordingly if you want to self-cater. Restaurant options also seemed very limited when I was there. Luckily, I was still able to get a table at Alecrim, even with a nationwide power outage.
Apartment/ Guesthouse: I stayed at Carrapateira Lodge in Carrapateira. They offer 3 private rooms with a shared bathroom. But I booked the only private room with an en-suite bathroom. They have a huge shared kitchen and lounge. They have washing machines, but guests cannot use them.
Hostel: Stay at the Hostel do Mar in Carrapateira. They offer spacious dorm rooms, but also double private rooms. They have a nice kitchen area and a terrace.
Vila do Bispo
Vila do Bispo is a small town, or a larger village with a very concentrated center.
Guesthouse/apartment: I stayed at the Lilas’ Private Accommodation in Vila do Bispo. It is located a little out of the center, but next door is a campervan park and a Lidl. And it really is only a 5-minute walk from restaurants, ATMs, and more supermarkets. It is basically just an apartment with 4 rooms. 3 rooms share a bathroom, and one room has a private external bathroom. There is a large, well-equipped kitchen, a shared living room, and they have a washing machine that you can use.
All in all, it offered extreme value for money, as most other guesthouses/apartments seemed way over my daily accommodation budget for the Fishermen’s Trail.
Hostels: It seems that there are no hostel-like, dorm-style accommodations in Vila do Bispo. One village further, Raposeira offers a few options. It is 2km from Vila do Bispo, not on the trail, but you could stay at Little Hikers Hostel. It has mixed dorms and private bathrooms. Good Feeling Hostel & Guest House offers a chilled and relaxed vibe with swimming pool, hammocks, and dorm rooms, double rooms, and apartments to choose from. They seem to have a minimum 2-night stay policy in place, which would make for a great rest day.
Hotel: Hotel Mira Sagres offers spacious rooms, and they have an indoor swimming pool and spa facilities. No worries about groceries, they offer a good breakfast in the morning too!
Sagres
By now, I had started to experience that accommodation prices were a lot higher than in the north, and I had a harder time selecting something to my liking. I figured I could use another rest day and picked Sagres as a bigger town.
Apartments: I stayed at Tonel Apartamentos Turisticos in Sagres. It is right on the Fishermen’s Trail, at the start of town, close to a beach. It offers private rooms or apartments, and it has a swimming pool. There was nothing wrong with it, but I thought I booked something with a kitchen to make breakfast, but I got a standard double room. The supermarket is 15 minutes walking along a busy road, and I found Sagres a bit soulless. I expected a vibrant restaurant scene, but it’s mainly surfer hangouts, stoner bars, or upscale (seafood) restaurants. If that is your scene, you’re in for a real treat.
Hostels: Cheaper dorm room hostels are not hard to find in Sagres. Most of them are connected to a diving school or camp, so book ahead from May to September to secure a bed. Popular options are the PuraVia Divehouse, which is close to one of the best beaches in Sagres and offers an amazing vibe. Sagres Sun Stay – Surf Camp & Hostel is on the main road in Sagres. It is not close to a beach, but it does offer an outdoor swimming pool.
Sagres is filled with amazing private rental apartments, larger-scale resort-style accommodation (mostly on the beach front), and places are being built as we speak. To make your selection, check out this link for more Sagres accommodation options.
Salema
Salema is a small holiday town, perched between two high hills. It offers luxurious apartments and rentals, but it is nearly impossible to find anything for under €100 for one night, in the season. The town doesn’t seem to have a hostel, hikers’ hotel, or anything like it.
The section between Sagres and Salema is by far the toughest section of the whole Fishermen’s Trail, and I figured I could use another rest day in Salema. This made my accommodation pick even harder because I had to account for a rest day.
Campsite/Glamping: A very popular pick by hikers is the Salema Eco Camp – Sustainable Camping & Glamping. It is 3 km up a steep hill off-trail, but they offer glamping tents, bell tents, and even small apartments. They offer a small selection of cafe-style foods (vegan and vegetarian) and they have yoga classes, massages, and at set times a shuttle bus to bring you to Salema.
At first, I booked with them, but decided I’d rather stay closer to the beach, supermarket, and restaurants, especially with the extra rest day.
Apartments: Because of all this, I switched to the Apartamentos Salema Praia Club in Salema. They are located on the trail, on a hill just a 5-minute walk from the beach. They offer very spacious apartments, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and spacious bedroom. And they have a swimming pool. The staff is super friendly and welcoming. At first glance, it looked fantastic, but by closer inspection, everything was a bit outdated. And it wasn’t cheap either. But the cheapest I could find in Salema village.
Alternative: Burgau
If you still have energy left and/or want to divide the last shorter stages, you can consider Burgau. This charming town is located on the beach and offers mostly holiday rentals. Check out your options here.
Luz
Luz is another one of those holidaymaker resort towns. It is filled to the brim with luxury holiday homes, small resort-type accommodations. And it is very spread out. I’m not even sure where Burgau ends and Luz begins.
The town does have a center, with loads of restaurants and shops, but most affordable accommodations are spread out throughout the wider Luz city limits. I took an Uber for less than €5 one night, because the return walk to my hotel was uphill and I had walked enough.
Hotel: I stayed at the Vilamar in Luz. It was a 5-10-minute walk from the trail and about 10 minutes from the center of town. It offers extreme value for money as it is cheap, clean, and basically has everything you’d want. It was half the price of my apartment in Salema but way more comfortable. They offer big, spacious hotel rooms. I had a bathroom with a tub, and they have a swimming pool. To my surprise, they offer snacks and drinks at affordable prices, and they serve breakfast in the morning.
It seems there are no hostels in Luz. Maybe search for a surf camp or something to find something. Looking for a resort-like hotel or apartment, Luz has them, but book ahead! Check all your options here.
Lagos Luxury accommodation
Lagos was the final stage of my Fishermen’s Trail hike, and from there, I’d go home and start work again. I figured I wanted to treat myself, end with a nice place to stay, and relax before the journey home.
That is why I splurged in Lagos. The accommodation I picked was by far not a hiker hotel or budget-friendly option, but it was 100% worth it, and I loved every minute of it.
Hotel: I picked the Charming Residence & Guest House Dom Manuel I Adults only for my last night in Lagos.
I arrived at 3 pm at an oasis of calm, serenity, and luxury. The hotel is an old colonial building, a 5-minute walk from the trail and Paria da Batata. From the rooftop, you have amazing views of the beach and greater Lagos.
As soon as I had checked into my spacious room, I rinsed off the sweat of the walk and took a plunge in the gorgeous pool. The palm trees were waving above my head, and I had an amazing time. At the bar, I scored a mini bottle of prosecco and drank to my successful completion of the Fishermen’s Trail. After a great night’s sleep (amazing mattress), I checked out the breakfast buffet and couldn’t believe it!
Fruit station: check
Breakfast cereal station: check
Cheese station: check
Pastry station: check
Vegetarian and vegan breakfast station: check
I didn’t know what to eat first; everything was fresh, abundant, and delicious. Added bonus was that I didn’t have to check out until noon, which matched my traveling schedule to a T. All in all, expensive but worth it!
Other Lagos accommodation options
Are they fully booked? Don’t worry, Lagos is chock full of accommodation to choose from. Check out all options here.
Hostel: Most hostels seem to concentrate in the old part of town, which is a great place to stay if you don’t mind the buzz at night. Popular options are: Lagos Central Roch School Hostel, or the Macarena Beach Hostel.
Accommodations on the Fishermen’s Trail
If you plan to walk the Fishermen’s Trail independently, finding a place to sleep to match the stages might be the hardest job. That and actually walking the trail. I hope I’ve made the planning process a bit easier with a few options and ideas in the right direction.
Feel free to copy my itinerary and accommodation from the list above. If you click on the link, you’ll be directed straight to the accommodation. Just pop in your dates, and see prices and availability!
Tell me, do you have plans to walk the Fishermen’s Trail? Where do you plan on staying and sleeping?
Let me know if you have any specific questions or need help planning your own trip. If you thought this post was helpful or fun to read, let me know in the comment section below. Or share it with your friends or on social media! And make sure to come back for more travel stories next time.