What to do in Porto Covo, and how to book it
Every bookable thing in and around Porto Covo in one place, with the number to call or the site to book on: the boat to Pessegueiro Island, the guided tour of the fort, surf lessons, horse riding at the Herdade, the safari park, and the restaurants that take a phone booking.
Facts checked
Book ahead
Things to book
Each of these needs a call or a booking, most of them a day ahead in summer. Numbers and prices were checked in August 2026 against the operator directly. Confirm when you call, they are their prices, not ours.
Boat to Ilha do Pessegueiro
About 2 hoursA short guided boat trip from the Porto Covo fishing harbour out to the island, its 16th-century fort and the Roman ruins. The only way to actually set foot on the island.
Local harbour boat, organised by the Junta de Freguesia
Call 965 535 683Summer season, confirm times when you callSame number as the fort guide, who answers in person. Book a day ahead in summer; trips depend on the sea state.
Guided tour of the Forte do Pessegueiro
Ask when you callThe 16th-century fort on the headland facing the island is opened for guided visits by a local guide. He is the man to call, and the posted hours close over lunch, which is not published anywhere else.
Local guide, on site
Call 965 535 683Daily 09h00-12h00 and 14h00-17h00Closed 12h-14h. Ring ahead out of season: it is one person, not a ticket office.
Surf or SUP lesson
From 45 EUR for one lesson · 160 EUR for five · children to age 10 from 35 EURBeginner surf and stand-up-paddle lessons on Praia Grande, board and wetsuit included. Classes are capped at six or seven per instructor and the shop is in the village itself, a few steps from the square.
CCBoard Center, shop at Rua Vasco da Gama 17-B, school based in Vila Nova de Milfontes (RNAAT nº 601/2019)
WhatsApp 966 239 999Year-round; summer is easiest for a first lessonEquipment and insurance included. Board hire from 25 EUR a day, wetsuit 7.50 EUR.
Board and wetsuit hire on Praia da Vieirinha
Board 20 EUR and wetsuit 10 EUR; 25 EUR and 15 EUR for all dayA hut on the sand at Praia da Vieirinha hiring out surfboards and wetsuits. Vieirinha is the best surf beach on this stretch of coast, and hiring there means nothing to carry from the village.
Escola de Surf do Litoral Alentejano (ESLA), founded 1998, the first surf school in the Alentejo
Call 925 660 163Open all yearThe hut is on the sand at Vieirinha, a short drive north. The school itself is based at Praia de São Torpes, Sines, and is run by Flávio Caldeira Jorge.
Rio Mira boat trip, Milfontes
From about 15 EUR per personA gentle cruise up the Mira estuary from Vila Nova de Milfontes, past salt marsh, herons and sandbanks. Doubles and family kayaks can also be rented on the flat water here.
MilEmotions / Maresia do Mira
milemotions.ptSpring to autumnFishermen's Trail, arranged for you
Walk the coastal stages of the Rota Vicentina with your rooms booked and your bag moved ahead to the next village each day, so you carry only a daypack.
Vicentina Travel
vicentinatravel.comYear-round; best in spring and autumnLuggage-only transfers between stages are also available from local operators via rotavicentina.com.
Badoca Safari Park
Book online in advanceA safari park half an hour north of Porto Covo with a drive-through reserve, birds of prey and lemur island. The reliable answer to a day when the nortada has blown the beach out, and the one thing here built for small children.
Badoca Safari Park, Vila Nova de Santo André
badoca.comYear-round; check seasonal opening before travellingAbout 30 minutes by car. Allow most of a day.
Horse riding at Herdade do Pessegueiro
About 40 EUR per person for an hourAn equestrian estate inside the Southwest Alentejo Natural Park, a few minutes from Porto Covo and walking distance from the Ilha do Pessegueiro beach. One-hour rides suit complete beginners; multi-day beach and Atlantic trails run for experienced riders.
Herdade do Pessegueiro
Call 963 320 898Year-round, booking requiredMinutes from the village. Rides must be booked ahead by phone or email; minimum age around 12 for the hour ride.
Eating
Where to eat, and the number to call
Fifteen restaurants in the village. These are the ones that publish a phone number and a closing day. Ring ahead in July and August.
Restaurante Ti Joaquim
Closed TuesdaysFreshest catch of the day, grilled whole fish, barnacles
+351 269 905 163Restaurante Zé Inácio
Closed WednesdaysOctopus salad, calamari, grilled fish platters
+351 269 905 977O Sorriso
Mozambique-influenced dishes, best breakfast in town
+351 914 319 171Lamelas
New Alentejo cooking, Michelin Guide listed, local wines
+351 924 060 426La Bella Vita
Wood-fired pizza, best takeaway option
+351 269 905 115O Pescador
Closed ThursdaysHouse wine at €3/half litre, grilled seafood
+351 934 449 045Restaurante do Luís
Generous portions, fish and meat combination menu
+351 269 870 574Figo Porto Covo
Closed TuesdaysVibrant atmosphere, Portuguese tapas-style dishes
+351 933 052 443Slow Sea Restaurante
Ocean views, convenient location, international menu
+351 269 039 100Restaurante A Ilha
Beachside location, long lazy lunches, fresh seafood
+351 269 905 113A.MAR Praia Grande
By the Alma Nomada team, ocean views, sunset dinner
+351 269 959 133Restaurante Miramar
Grilled fish, harbour setting
+351 269 905 103Doce Mar
Closed WednesdaysFresh fish, careful cooking
+351 269 905 176A Petisqueira do Primo Xico
Portuguese petiscos, sharing plates
+351 939 033 009A Marmita — Pronto a Comer
Closed SundaysFrango no churrasco to take away, daily dishes, phone-ahead orders
+351 269 959 054
No booking needed
Things you can just do
- The thirteen beachesSorted by swimming, surf, sunset and seclusion, with walking times from the door.
- The Fishermen's TrailPorto Covo is the northern trailhead. Stages, difficulty and when to walk.
- Month by monthSea temperature, lifeguard season, how busy, and what to expect.
- Where to eat, and when each closesHours, closing days and whether they take reservations.
What we have learned here
Things worth passing on
Read them allWe live with this village for part of every year, and some of what that teaches you is not written down anywhere. This is the useful half.
Eating cheaply in Porto Covo
Two places, one number that matters, and a Sunday problem. What the price symbols on a listing site will not tell you.
The day to avoid eating out in Porto Covo
Five places shut on a Tuesday, including two of the best-known tables. Both of the cheap options shut on a Sunday. And for nine of them nobody publishes a closing day at all.
Why we built Blue Cove in Porto Covo
A Portuguese family, a long time away, and a village that keeps pulling us home. What we tried to fix, and the one thing we will not take credit for.
Your base in Porto Covo
Stay at Blue Cove
A 3-bedroom apartment with 3 bathrooms and a private heated pool, sleeping 6, 500 m from Praia Grande and 15 minutes from the Rota Vicentina trailhead. Booked directly with Ivy, who confirms every reservation herself.
Keep exploring
More Porto Covo guides
Village basics
Cash, pharmacy, health centre, market and waste, with sources and dates.
Getting here
Exact driving routes from Lisbon and Faro, plus buses, parking and car hire.
When to visit
Season by season: water temperature, wind, crowds and what is open.
Checked
Eat and buy
Going further
All of it