Destinations · South Coastal Stretch
Salema
Whitewashed houses, boats on the sand, a quiet cove.
Salema is a working fishing village that has kept its shape: colourful boats pulled up on the sand, whitewashed houses climbing the slope behind, and a single beachfront street. It is one of the calmest and most authentic beaches between Lagos and Sagres.
Lagos is the ideal base for exploring the entire coastline.
Highlights
- Fishing boats on the beach and a genuine village atmosphere
- Sheltered, sandy bay with calm water on most days
- Dinosaur footprints visible on the rocks at the eastern end
- Simple seafood restaurants a few steps from the sand
Best for
- Families
- Slow beach days
- Seafood lunches
- Travellers without a car
How to get there
By car: from Lagos, follow the N125 west for about 20 minutes and turn down into the village — the lower car park fills early in summer. By local bus: Vamus services between Lagos and Sagres stop at Salema, taking around 30–35 minutes, and the beach is a short walk downhill from the stop. By bicycle: the route from Lagos via Praia da Luz and Burgau is roughly 17 km, around an hour of riding with several climbs. On foot: the coastal path continues from Burgau to Salema — about 6 km of clifftop walking, 1.5 to 2 hours, best combined with a bus back to Lagos.
The village and the bay
Salema is small enough to cross in a few minutes. The beach sits directly in front of the village, with fishing boats at one end and open sand at the other. The water is usually calmer than the west-coast beaches, which makes it a comfortable swim for families.
Practical notes
Parking is tight in July and August — arriving before 11am or coming by bus removes the problem entirely. Restaurants line the seafront, and most serve fish landed locally that morning.
Good to know
- Do I need a car to visit Salema?
No — buses from Lagos towards Sagres stop at Salema in around 30–35 minutes, and everything in the village is within walking distance of the stop.
- Is Salema good for families?
Yes. The bay is sheltered and the sand shelves gently, the village is compact and traffic-free near the beach, and restaurants and facilities are all a few steps away.
- Can I walk to Salema along the coast?
Yes — the clifftop path from Burgau to Salema is about 6 km and takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Many walkers do it one way and take the bus back to Lagos.
Continue exploring