Holiday activities in Salema: Beyond the Beach

Salema is a stunning holiday destination known for its golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. But what about when you want a break from basking in the sun or swimming in the sea?

Whether you’re part of an active group of friends or just looking to explore the historic western Algarve, Salema offers plenty of activities to keep you busy. From walking and cycling to golf and water sports, there’s always plenty to keep you busy.

Here are some of our top suggestions for making the most of your holiday in our beautiful part of the Algarve.

Walking Around Salema, Algarve

Pack your drinking water, sunscreen and swimming gear, and get ready for an unforgettable clifftop walking adventure. The coastal trails around Salema offer breathtaking views, historical landmarks, and hidden beaches that make every step worthwhile.

The ‘Rota Vicentina’ trail covering much of southern Portugal is considered one of the most visually stunning walking trails in the world. Many people choose to walk the entire route and camp or stay in guesthouses along the way. The most beautiful and most well-loved part of this route is known as the ‘Fisherman’s Trail’.

The Fisherman’s Trail was developed in 2012 as part of a project to preserve coastal areas in Europe. This means much of our part of the Algarve is unspoilt and will remain untouched. Luckily for us, it passes right through Salema!

Be prepared for some hills, as the paths have plenty of ups and downs as you follow its famous green and blue striped markers along signposts, wooden markers and even painted on rocks along the coastline, like this:

There’s abundance of wildlife in the Algarve, so keep an eye out for dolphins, bats, lizards and nesting storks during your hike.

Walking West from Salema Towards Sagres

Heading west from Salema along the Fisherman’s Trail towards Sagres (once considered by Europeans to be the ‘edge of the world’) takes you through some of the Algarve’s most stunning scenery and is probably our favourite route. Some highlights include:

Praia Santa and Praia da Figueira: These remote sandy beaches can only be reached on foot, making them perfect for a peaceful escape and an ideal picnic spot.
Praia Zavial and Praia da Ingrina: Both beaches are rich in history and feature delightful restaurants where you can refuel.

The section of the walk from Salema to Ingrina takes about two hours without stops, but it’s worth making a full day of it and enjoying spot of lunch and a swim in the Atlantic Ocean before turning around and heading back home.

It is possible to walk all the way to Sagres at the southern tip of Portugal in around 4.5 hours, or even to continue north from there, back up Portugal’s western coast. Sagres offers stunning sunsets and an imposing 15^th century fort overlooking the sea, so is well worth a visit – even if you decide to drive there.

Walking East from Salema Towards Lagos

Walking east from Salema along the Fisherman’s Trail will lead you to some equally stunning destinations and viewpoints. Our personal highlights include:

Boca do Rio (river mouth): This beautiful and quiet beach is your first stop along the way. Here you’ll find and gorgeous sandy beach tucked away in a secluded cove within the rocky coastline. It is also possible to drive here from Salema in only a few minutes. Continue your walk East from the other side of the beach and you’ll soon discover the stunning ruins of the Roman fort of Almádena, also known as the Fort of the River Mouth, which boasts commanding panoramic views out to sea. The fort was constructed in 1632, before being damaged by the 1755 earthquake and abandoned in 1849.
Burgau: A charming coastal village with yet another picture-perfect beach, as well as seafront snack bars and restaurants. We highly recommend you walk to Burgau during your holiday in Salema.
Praia da Luz: For a full day’s out-and-back walk, continue to Praia da Luz, yet another lovely coastal Algarve village with numerous bars and restaurants. Luz is more developed in terms of tourism than Salema and Burgau. The walk from Salema to Luz takes approximately three hours, of course offering plenty of scenic views along the way.This video offers a great overview of this route: https://youtu.be/9m6DAHe9Axc?si=rzFd5lq0ijgGh_rF

Walking between Luz to Lagos

Another good walking idea during your holiday in Salema is to drive to Praia da Luz to start your walk. Park somewhere close to the beach, then follow the coastal route to Lagos (the closest city to Salema). This is a three-hour trek that includes spectacular ocean views and takes in world-famous local landmarks such as:

Rocha Negra (Black Rock): An easily identifiable part of dark, rocky coastline jutting out into the ocean.
Ponta da Piedade: A well-known natural rock formation creating natural caves and grottos. A “must-see” from land and sea.
Praia do Camilo: This unique beach reached only by a stairway of over 200 steps!
Praia dos Estudantes: A small sandy cove accessible through a rock tunnel.

Once you arrive in Lagos, there are ample opportunities for shopping, eating and sightseeing before heading back to Luz and home to your villa in Salema.

Inland Walking Algarve Adventures

For a change of scenery, why not head inland on a walk to explore the stunning and unspoilt Costa Vicentina Natural Park? This protected area boasts more than 100 km of trails through rolling hills and serene woodlands. From the village, follow signs for Salema Eco Camp or Figueira as a good starting point, then let your eyes be the guide as you pick the most appealing route from there on!

Cycling Around Salema, Algarve

Cycling enthusiasts will find plenty to love on holiday in Salema. Whether you prefer road biking or mountain biking, the area’s diverse terrain has something for everyone.

Bike Rentals: Just a 10-minute drive from Salema, you’ll find a great bike rental shop in Almadena (https://www.musette.bike) They offer a range of road bikes and mountain bikes for hire, ensuring you’re equipped for any adventure. Musette Bik also has a great on-site café.
Mountain Biking near Salema: Follow the Fisherman’s Trail east or west, as described in the walking routes above, for an unforgettable off-road experience.
Road Biking from Salema: Explore the Algarve’s winding roads and picturesque villages at your own pace. Away from the dual carriageways, the roads are usually very quiet and heading further in-land will take you to more challenging mountain roads. We recommend heading towards the towns of Foia and Monchique, both steeped in Roman and Islamic history and offering great views. They’re perfect halfway points for a day in the saddle, being around a 3.5 hour ride away from Salema (plus it’s downhill on the way back!).

Golf Near Salema

The Algarve is famous for its world-class golf courses, and the area around Salema is no exception. We recommend the following courses close to our villas in Salema:

Santo Antonio Golf Course: Located just a few miles inland, this course (formerly known as Parque da Floresta) is the closest and most popular golfing option.
Other nearby golf courses to Salema: Espiche and Boavista are both excellent championship courses only a short drive from Salema.

For more golf options, head to Lagos and beyond.
This link is also full of great information about golf in the Algarve: https://algarvegolf.net/courses/

Running in Salema

Don’t forget to pack your trail shoes! Any of the walking routes mentioned above can be explored at a quicker pace by running. Whether you’re jogging along the coastal paths or tackling the inland trails, running in Salema is a fantastic way to stay active while taking in the natural beauty. Be prepared for some hills though!

If you are staying with us at Villas Praia Dourada, Sol e Mar or Vista Paraiso, a quiet 2.5km out-and-back road route we enjoy starting the day with is to head out of your villa and turn left for a short climb uphill. At the junction, bear right and follow the road for a long downhill. At the junction you will see signposts for Budens and Burgau to the left, turning right takes you towards the beautiful Boca do Rio beach. After taking in the views, turning around and returning to your villa means heading back up what we affectionately call “heart attack hill” or “the hill of death”. Good luck!

If you are on Instagram, this post offers some great inspiration https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEvZjAWNAH5

Ocean Adventures from Salema

It goes without saying, but no visit to Salema is complete without enjoying the Atlantic Ocean. From boat trips and snorkelling to water sports, there’s something for everyone who loves the sea during your villa holiday in Salema.

We hope this blog highlights that Salema is much more than just a beach holiday destination. Its coastal trails, cycling routes, golf courses, and ocean adventures make Salema an ideal spot for active travellers and sun-worshipers alike. Whether you’re exploring the western Algarve on foot, bike or even by boat, there’s no shortage of ways to experience Salema’s natural beauty and charm.

If you’d like to find out more about our luxury villas in Salema, please get in touch with us today!