Discover the sweeping Atlantic coast, dramatic cliffs, and quiet countryside of Portugal’s Rota Vicentina, a 224 km (139 mile) trek that combines two of the region’s most rewarding routes: the Caminho Histórico (Historical Way) and the Trilho dos Pescadores (Fishermen’s Trail).

The route stretches from the rural town of Santiago do Cacém in the Alentejo through the wild landscapes of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina to the southwestern tip of mainland Europe at Cabo de São Vicente. Walkers will enjoy Atlantic views, fishing villages, sandy beaches, and olive groves along the way. 

Suitable for most walkers with easy to moderate stages, the Rota Vicentina presents the main combined route in 12 stages of 12–24 km (7–15 miles), making it perfect for a 2-week holiday. A four-stage inland variant forms a circuit north from Odeceixe back to the main trail, giving added flexibility for planning a walking holiday or coastal adventure.

• 12 stage-by-stage route descriptions for the full Rota Vicentina from Santiago do Cacém to Cabo de São Vicente, including the historic Caminho Histórico and the coastal Fishermen’s Trail
• Step-by-step directions with detailed 1:100,000 mapping and route notes to navigate the varying terrain of inland hills, wooded valleys and Atlantic cliff tops
• Each stage includes distance, estimated walking time, and terrain summary to help plan daily sections and match stages to your walking pace
• GPX files available for the Rota Vicentina routes, compatible with GPS devices and smartphone navigation apps
• Practical planning advice including accommodation listings, refreshment points, public transport options and preparation tips for walking the Rota Vicentina
• Highlights and landmarks along the route, including Santiago do Cacém, Odeceixe, Cabo de São Vicente, Atlantic beaches, fishing villages, and olive groves

Plan your Rota Vicentina adventure with confidence and enjoy the towering cliffs, Atlantic beaches, olive groves, and authentic Portuguese culture of this unforgettable long-distance walk with this comprehensive guidebook.

Portugal’s Rota Vicentina

Location: Southern Portugal – Alentejo & Algarve Atlantic coast 
Distance: ~224 km / ~139 miles (combined Historical Way & Fishermen’s Trail)  
Typical duration: ~2 weeks  
Start: Santiago do Cacém  
End: Cabo de São Vicente (southwestern tip of mainland Europe)  
Route format: Linear long-distance coastal and inland walk (Historical Way + Fishermen’s Trail)  
Stages: 12 main stages with distances ~12–24 km each  
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – mostly level ground for fit walkers  
Best season: Spring (Mar–May) and late summer to autumn (Sep–Nov)

Author Highlight

“If you have a penchant for dramatic cliffs and awesome ocean scenery with secluded sandy bays. are fascinated by gangly storks nesting on sea stacks, are able to walk around 20km per day, appreciate fresh fish and charming guesthouses and hostels… without forgetting ancient oak forests, brilliant carpets of wildflowers, sweet oranges, mouthwatering traditional Portuguese cuisine and inimitable custard tarts, then the Rota Vicentina is definitely for you.”

- Gillian Price, author of Portugal's Rota Vicentina

The Rota Vicentina Association  
Route summary table 

Introduction  
The Rota Vicentina  
Highlights and shorter walks  
Wildlife  
Plants and flowers  
Getting to Portugal  
Getting to the trek start  
Local transport  
Information  
When to go  
Accommodation  
Food and drink  
What to take  
Waymarking and maps  
Dos and don’ts  
Emergencies  
Using this guide 

The Rota Vicentina  
Stage 1 Santiago do Cacém to Moinhos do Paneiro  
Stage 2 Moinhos do Paneiro to Cercal do Alentejo  
Stage 3 Cercal do Alentejo to Porto Covo  
Stage 4 Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes  
Stage 5 Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve  
Stage 6 Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar  
Stage 7 Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe  
Stage 8 Odeceixe to Aljezur  
Stage 9 Aljezur to Arrifana  
Stage 10 Arrifana to Carrapateira  
Stage 11 Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo  
Stage 12 Vila di Bispo to Cabo de São Vicente 

Inland route  
Stage 1IR Odeceixe to São Teotónio  
Stage 2IR São Teotónio to Odemira  
Stage 3IR Odemira to São Luis  
Stage 4IR São Luis to Cercal do Alentejo 

Appendix A Accommodation  
Appendix B Useful information  
Appendix C Portuguese–English glossary 

Seasons

The perfect time to go is spring (March to May/early June) then late summer to autumn (September to November). September to June is fine although the winter can be wet. Midsummer can be stiflingly hot and not recommended.

Centres

Santiago do Cacém, Cercal do Alentejo, Porto Covo, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Zambujeira do Mar, Odeceixe, Aljezur, Arrifana, Carrapateira, Vila do Bispo, Cabo de São Vicente, Sagres, Odemira.

Difficulty

The stages are on mostly level ground and are straightforward, with no special difficulty involved (Grade 1 and 2). This hike is suitable for all fit walkers who are capable of walking around 20km per day.

Must See

Dramatic cliff scenery along the Fisherman's Trail; vast sandy beaches; white storks nesting on sea stacks; 15th-century Age of Discovery sites and history of Henry the Navigator; Arab-era castles; welcoming fishing villages and Portuguese hospitality; Europe's most southwestern point of Cabo de São Vicente.

February 2025

Stages 1 and 2 (rerouting)

January 2023

Stage 9, Aljezur

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