Destinations · West Coastal Stretch
Monte Clérigo
A small village and a wide crescent beach.
Monte Clérigo is a cluster of low houses on a hillside above a wide crescent of sand, ten minutes from Aljezur. It is one of the friendliest west-coast beaches: sheltered at the northern end, with rock pools at low tide and a couple of restaurants overlooking the bay.
Lagos is the ideal base for exploring the entire coastline.
Highlights
- Wide sandy bay with rock pools at low tide
- Small hillside village with restaurants above the beach
- More sheltered than most west-coast beaches
- Ten minutes from Aljezur and Koyo Roasters
Best for
- Families
- Surfers
- Rock-pool afternoons
- Sunsets
How to get there
By car: from Lagos, take the N120 north to Aljezur — about 45 minutes — then follow signs west for 10 minutes to the beach car park. By bus: Vamus/Rede Expressos services reach Aljezur from Lagos in around an hour; from there the beach is a short taxi ride or a 9 km walk. By bicycle: roughly 45 km from Lagos via the N120, a full-day ride with a pleasant descent to the coast. On foot: the Fishermen's Trail runs along this coast, linking Monte Clérigo with Arrifana to the south and Amoreira to the north over walkable stages.
The bay
The northern corner of the beach is protected by rocks and often calmer, which makes Monte Clérigo one of the more family-friendly options on the Costa Vicentina. At low tide the exposed rock shelves fill with pools.
Making a day of it
Most travellers pair Monte Clérigo with Amoreira or Arrifana and stop in Aljezur — a coffee at Koyo Roasters on the way out, lunch in town on the way back.
Good to know
- Is Monte Clérigo good for families?
Yes, by west-coast standards — the sheltered northern end and the low-tide rock pools work well for children, though the Atlantic swell still demands care.
- Are there restaurants at the beach?
Yes — a small number of restaurants sit on the hillside above the sand, open through the main season.
- Is the water calm here?
Calmer than most of the Costa Vicentina, but still open Atlantic. Check conditions and swim near the sheltered northern end.
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