Set on a curving turquoise bay 40 km south of Lisbon, Sesimbra
is both an attractive fishing town and popular tourist resort.
Protected from north winds by the slopes of the Serra da Arrábida,
it was occupied by the Romans and later the Moors.
Lisboetans flock here at weekends to dine in the many beach-front
fish restaurants after taking a relaxing evening stroll along
the promenade. What to see. Overlooking the beach and brightly-coloured
fishing boats in the bay, the miniature fort of São Teodósio
was built in the 17th century to defend Sesimbra against pirates.
In town, the 15th-century church of the Misericórdia
contains a painting of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia
attributed to Gregório Lopes (1490-1550). 250 metres
above the town stands the restored five-tower medieval castle,
originally a Moorish fortress captured by Afonso Henriques in
1165. Housed inside the castle walls, the church of Santa Maria
dates back to the 12th century. Nearby. 12 km west of Sesimbra lies the flat promontory
of Cabo Espichel, a wild enchanted place with magnificent views
northwards to Lisbon and the mouth of the River Tagus. Flanked
on both sides by pilgrims' lodgings, the weather-beaten church
of Nossa Senhora do Cabo built in 1701 features Baroque paintings
and a frescoed ceiling. A short drive east of Sesimbra brings
you to the lovely little bay of Portinho da Arrábida,
one of the most picturesque beach settings in Portugal.
