Sesimbra Attractions
The pleasant little fishing town of Sesimbra, below rugged red cliffs on the southern slopes of the Serra da Arrábida, is also a popular seaside resort.
Townscape
The promenade along the shore is lined with simple white houses and a few smaller hotels, with the larger hotel complexes outside the center. Fishing still dominates the scene, however, together with tourism. Visitors can watch the fishermen mending their nets on the beach, or see them unloading their catch in the harbor at the western end of the town. The spectacle is particularly lively when the fish are auctioned, and the freshly landed fish and other seafood can be sampled in the relaxed atmosphere of one of the town's restaurants.
Townscape
The promenade along the shore is lined with simple white houses and a few smaller hotels, with the larger hotel complexes outside the center. Fishing still dominates the scene, however, together with tourism. Visitors can watch the fishermen mending their nets on the beach, or see them unloading their catch in the harbor at the western end of the town. The spectacle is particularly lively when the fish are auctioned, and the freshly landed fish and other seafood can be sampled in the relaxed atmosphere of one of the town's restaurants.
Castelo
High above the town stands the Castelo, the castle originally built during the 12th and 13th C. but almost totally rebuilt early in the 17th C. by Cosmander, the Flemish Jesuit architect, for King Joao IV.
The views from the castle are exceptional.
The views from the castle are exceptional.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 19:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 19:00 |
Fortaleza de Santiago
In the town center, right on the beach, stands the Fortaleza de Santiago, a little 17th C. fort, at times a prison, with a lighthouse.
Facilities
Beach
Town Museum
The town museum, containing archeological finds, a collection of coins and sacred objects, is a few hundred yards north of the Fortaleza de Santiago.
