Sagres Pousada

Every year, the Sagres Pousada welcomes the same group of people, from different parts of the world, to relax without their mobile phones. “It’s the company itself [where they work] that chooses to come here for two nights and unplug,” says Ana Carolina Nascimento, pousada manager.

There’s no better place to forget technology and enjoy nature. Located at Ponta da Atalaia, the Sagres Pousada offers a fabulous view of the Sagres fortress and Cape São Vicente, continental Europe’s most south-westerly point, where the sun sets. On the other side, we can see the sunrise, and in the distance the blue of Martinhal beach, one of the region’s most iconic. According to Nascimento, “it’s like we were on a small island in the middle of the continent”. 

Inaugurated in the early 1960s, as part of the commemorations marking 500 years since the death of Prince Henrique the Navigator, the Sagres Pousada, one of the oldest in the network, retains decorative features from those times. For example, there’s the statue of Sáo Vicente above the fireplace and the set of tapestries by the artist Cândido Costa Pinto depicting aspects of the Discoveries. Nor can we forget the huge anchors on the lawn by the pool and the wooden replica of the English ship Victory, next to reception.

“At the time, the idea was to attract tourists to this region of the Algarve, even though we were in the middle of nowhere and there was only one major road to reach us,” explains Nascimento.

Times may have changed, and access may be much easier, but the pousada still maintains its end-of-the-world mystique. When it first opened, the main focus was on attracting British holidaymakers, so much so that the pousada’s first bar was a pub. Nowadays, it’s popular with tourists of all nationalities, who enjoy a few quiet days by the pool, time for a stroll or a bit of cycling. The nearest hiking trail passes right in front of the pousada wall and leads to Mareta beach, just 10 minutes’ walk away.

Unlike the rest of the Algarve, high season is later here, with October normally the busiest month, when the village is also popular with surfers.

In addition to a reading room, there is a massage area (open by appointment), tennis court, a bar with a terrace and a restaurant, the latter two open to non-guests and with a special discount for Sagres residents.