Vila Nova de Milfontes is a picturesque coastal town in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It’s known for its stunning natural beauty, local atmosphere, and maritime history. It’s situated along the banks of the Mira River and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, this charming town is part of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. This makes Vila Nova de Milfontes a prime destination for nature lovers, surfers, and anyone seeking a more local beach experience.
The Princess of the Alentejo
Vila Nova de Milfontes has the rather charming nickname of the “Princess of Alentejo”, it boasts beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs, and a historic old town filled with traditional whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, and excellent local restaurants.
Its laid-back vibe makes it a popular stop for both Portuguese and international travelers, especially those who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and kayaking. Despite its increasing popularity, Vila Nova de Milfontes retains its authentic, unspoiled charm.
The Region – What’s Around Vila Nova de Milfontes
Vila Nova de Milfontes lies on a stunning part of the coast and there is a lot to see and do in the local area. It’s popular with surfers seeking Atlantic waves and popular among hikers for its section of the Rota Vincentina.
If you have a car, Vila Nova de Milfontes is a great base for exploring the Alentejo, further north is the beautiful Porto Covo, while to the south lies Zambujeira do Mar and Odeceixe. All great places to explore this stunningly beautiful coastline.
What to See and Do in Vila Nova de Milfontes
This idyllic town boasts a lot more than just nature and beaches, in this guide we’ll share our favourite things to see and do when visiting Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Explore the Historic Town Center: Wander through the charming streets lined with whitewashed houses, traditional azulejos, and local cafes. Explore Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça, a small church with beautiful tilework, and wonder around the outside of Forte de São Clemente, an old fortress that once protected the town against pirates.
Explore the Mira River: – Enjoy a scenic boat tour along the tranquil Mira River, which winds through lush greenery and offers peaceful views of the surrounding countryside. You can also rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards for a more active experience on these gently flowing waters.
Farol de Milfontes and the Iconic Arcanjo – A short distance along the coast will lead you to the historic Farol de Milfontes and Arcanjo. Arcanjo – translated to Archangel is a futuristic angelic statue that is supposedly screaming at the state of the planet. A warning of impending ecological disaster. This outlook also gives you stunning views of the river, beaches, and back into the town.
Hike Along the Rota Vicentina: Vila Nova de Milfontes is located along the Rota Vicentina, one of Portugal’s most famous hiking routes. Take the Fishermen’s Trail for spectacular coastal views, rugged cliffs, and hidden beaches, or explore the inland routes through the stunning landscapes.
Experience Authentic and Slower Paced Portugal – The Alentejo is famed for its slower pace of life and for staying true to the authentic Portugal. Vila Nova de Milfontes is a great place to experience this. Stroll through town, sip a coffee, people watch. This part of Portugal is rarely about squeezing as much as you can into your day, and watching the river slowly float past is a great place to put slow travel into practice.
Vila Nova de Milfontes – A True Seaside Town
Vila Nova de Milfontes offers not only a beautiful coastline, but a wide array outdoor activities and an authentic Portuguese atmosphere. This spot is still quite undiscovered by the masses of international tourists so it’s a great place to experience a traditional Portuguese seaside town.
As the largest town in the area, Vila Nova de Milfontes offers a big range of facilities catering to all budgets. You’ll find a good selection of restaurants, from basic Portuguese fare to upscale seafood dining. Similarly, the bars range from budget sports bars to sea view cocktail spots. During the summer months it can get quite lively without feeling too hectic.
Downsides to Vila Nova de Milfontes?
Okay, so the downsides. What’s not perfect? The main downsides are its remoteness, and its seasonality. It’s a two-hour drive from Faro airport, and almost a two-hour drive from Lisbon airport. Both are the main gateways to get to Portugal for international visitors.
Additionally, public transport is limited, there’s no train stations here and local buses are sporadic. This means most visitors will need a car to visit and explore.
The Best Beaches in Vila Nova de Milfontes
Of course, one of the biggest draws to this part of the coast is the stunning beaches. Directly from the town you have several to choose from:
Praia da Franquia: The town’s main beach, Praia da Franquia, is a family-friendly spot sheltered by the river’s curve. With gentle waves it is ideal for swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. There are multiple places to rent equipment, and a large part of the water is sectioned off to keep boats out. This makes it great for safe swimming and to learn how to stand up padlle board.
Praia do Farol: Situated at the mouth of the estuary, Praia do Farol has calm waters and sandy stretches, offering panoramic views of the river merging into the Atlantic. Known for its peaceful vibe, it’s perfect for sunbathing and evening strolls. However, the immediate section facing the ocean can get large waves so it’s not the best place to swim if you’re not experienced. During the summer months there are lifeguards.
There is one restaurant here called A Choupana, so you don’t need to head all the way back to town for refreshments.
Praia das Furnas: Just across the River Mira, Praia das Furnas offers a slightly wilder and more natural experience. However, it is only accessible by a ferry, or a ten-minute drive outside of town. It’s a stunning beach that’s backed by a deep section of natural dunes offering a scenic setting.
There are two restaurants, that offer changing rooms and toilets, so it’s not completely cut off from facilities. During the summer bathing season it’s also life guarded.
Hiking and the Rota Vicentina
Vila Nova de Milfontes is a key stop along the Rota Vicentina hiking route. A celebrated network of hiking trails that stretch along the wild and beautiful Alentejo coastline.
The Rota Vicentina is made up of several trails and in total is nearly 400km long. The route that passes through Vila Nova de Milfontes is the Fisherman’s Trail which following the coast from Sines, all the way to Lagos in the Algarve. It is one of the best hiking trails in Europe, if not the world and allows you to experience the incredible Atlantic coast fully.
As one of the largest towns along the Fishermen’s Trail, Vila Nova de Milfontes is an ideal place to spend a night or two, offering comfortable accommodations, dining, and a welcoming local atmosphere. From here, hikers can set out on trails heading north to the fishing harbour and the remote Praia do Malhão, or south toward Praia das Furnas, Almograve, and the iconic Cabo Sardão lighthouse, where sweeping coastal views await. Full details of the trail can be found on the official website.
Surfing at Vila Nova de Milfontes
The Alentejo coastline is a bit of a hidden gem for surfing enthusiasts, and Vila Nova de Milfontes can make a brilliant base for both beginner and experienced surfers. In town, you’ll find equipment rentals (typically around €20 for surfboards, €10 for wetsuits, and €15 for bodyboards per day) and several reputable surf schools that cater to all skill levels.
The top surf spots nearby are Praia dos Aivados and Praia do Malhão, both fully exposed to the Atlantic’s powerful waves and known for consistent surf conditions. However, the surf here can be challenging, with strong currents, shifting tides, and hidden rocks. For safety, it’s always recommended to surf in lifeguarded areas and avoid venturing out alone.
You’ll find several surf shools and surf camps in Vila Nova de Milfontes, and several will use the beaches there for learning and practice before taking you to the more serious spots along the coast. The most well known schools are: Surf Milfontes offers lessons and equipment rentals, CC Board also provides excellent instruction for beginners and intermediate surfers and there’s also BeSurf who operate a full surf camp in Porto Covo slightly north.
The Best Time to Visit Vila Nova de Milfontes
The great thing about this part of the Alentejo coastline is that it offers something for all seasons. The hot dry summers are perfect beach weather, where the water and Atlantic breeze can cool down the typical Alentejo summers.
You’ll typically see people using the beaches and water between April and late October. However earlier than April, and later than October, the wind does get chilly, and evenings cool quickly. November to March you can also expect rainy days too, so it’s not always great for outdoor activities!
The peak of the summer season, July and August are the hottest, busiest, and most expensive. Unless you have to visit due to your vacation and time off, we’d recommend visiting outside of the peak window. You’ll get a less hectic experience, and overall a cheaper and more pleasant one!
How to Get Vila Nova de Milfontes
The main reason Vila Nova de Milfontes has not been massively developed is largely due to its location, if you don’t have your own vehicle you need to make extra effort to get here.
It’s around two hours from Lisbon Airport, and two hours from Faro airport, the main arrival points into Portugal for most international visitors. There’s no railway alongside the coast, so visitors are restricted to lengthy bus rides, renting a car, or booking a car service.
Buses are available from Lisbon and take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Rede Expressos operate from Lisbon Sete Rios (3.5 hours), FlixBus operate from Lisbon Oriente (2.5 hours). Timetables are not consistent and do change throughout the year based on the seasons, prices change too, so you should check timetables before making firm plans.
Alternatively, if you’re in the Algarve, Rede Expressos operate a service from Lagos to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Which requires you to transfer first to Lagos.
Taking a car is the much easier option and allows you to fully experience the Alentejo coastline and surrounding areas.
Should You Visit Vila Nova de Milfontes?
Vila Nova de Milfontes offers the perfect blend of seaside charm, natural beauty, and things to see and do. It makes a great place to explore the area, and the perfect stopping point for anyway travelling to or from Lisbon along the coastline!