Sagres Birdwatching Festival: Birding & Beyond on an Algarve Road Trip

Imagine standing on dramatic cliffs at the southwestern-most point in Europe, the wind whipping through your hair as migrating birds soared overhead.

The Sagres Birdwatching Festival in Portugal offered incredible birding opportunities and a chance to experience the Algarve's breathtaking landscapes, delicious Portuguese cuisine, and rich history.

I found October to be the perfect time to visit, with warm, sunny days and fewer crowds.

Owl spotted at the Sagres Birdwatching Festival in Portugal

Getting There: Lisbon to Sagres

The three-hour drive from Lisbon to Sagres took us through rolling hills and quaint villages.

Vila do Gin - Parque Temático Black Pig: I recommend a detour to this Portuguese theme park where you can enjoy interacting with the friendly donkeys, giant black pigs, and adorable piglets. I had so much fun walking through the petting zoo and admiring the animals.

Pair of Donkeys at Vila do Gin - Parque Temático Black Pig

Vila Nova de Milfontes: I highly recommend stopping here for lunch and a leisurely walk along the beach to take in the lovely sea views and castle ruins. At "Pica Tapa" Restaurante, I savored a small carafe of white wine and a plate of grilled seafood.

Ruined mansion in Vila Nova de Milfontes

Festival Time: Bracelets and Birdwatching

To fully immerse yourself in the Sagres Birdwatching Festival, you'll need a festival bracelet. Grab one at the event headquarters in Beliche Fortress. This bracelet grants free access to Sagres Fortress and the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

There was a small fair set up near the turn off to Cabo São Vicente. I bought the Aves de Portugal Continental book to help me identify the birds and support the festival.

Birdwatching Tours and Experiences

Let's take a closer look at some of the tours and experiences that we took part in during the birding festival. Some events, like "The Birds of Sagres" at Ponta da Atalaia, required advance registration in person. Other events, like "Soaring Birds at Esparregueira," were open to all.

Sunset Tour: I booked a sunset tour along Via Algarviana, a 10 km walk from Covões to St Vincent Cape, which ended with a celebratory toast as the sun dipped below the horizon. I recommend comfortable shoes, clothing, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a snack.

"Finding the Elusive" Tour with the Algarve Birdman: Another highlight for us was the free tour with Simon Wates, known as the Algarve Birdman. Meeting at Beliche Fort, we formed small groups to minimize the number of vehicles.

I got to ride in Simon’s car and learn a bit about how he moved from the UK to Portugal decades ago and made a name for himself as a birding expert in Southern Portugal.

Birdwatching with Simon Wates, The Algarve Birdman

Hiking boots, water, a snack, and birdwatching gear were essential for the quest to find elusive birds in the Sagres region. During the hike, we used Simon's scope to watch hawks soar. We also saw a number of black ibis and some dragonflies, and damselflies during our hike with Simon.

What Birds (and More!) Did We See?

While the birds can be elusive, the thrill of the hunt is part of the fun. Volunteers with binoculars were available at signposted birdwatching spots. It was helpful to have experienced guides with an eagle eye around to make the most of our experience at the festival.

A representative from Kowa (Japan) was present at one of the signposted spots, offering binoculars and scopes to try. I tried the KRT Coating, Waterproof model, and it was definitely an upgrade from the cheap handheld binoculars that I had brought with me.

I spotted an adorable owl on our guided hike from Vila do Bispo to Farol do Cabo de São Vicente which absolutely made my day.

I'm pleased to report that not only did we see some very cool birds in and around Sagres, but during the guided hike from Vila do Bispo to Farol do Cabo de São Vicente, I spotted a huge herd of goats being shepherded down the very rural road by a goatherd with a crook and a couple of dogs. I couldn't have asked for a better photo op!

Beyond Birdwatching Around Sagres

Sagres offered more than just birdwatching. Take a break from the birds to explore the town and surrounding area.

Sagres Fortress: I explored Sagres Fortress and learned about Henry the Navigator. We checked out the interactive museum and walked around the complexes and cliffs overlooking the sea.

The red-topped lighthouse in the center is a good landmark to orient yourself. I spotted some birds and art installations outside as we ambled about the fortress.

Northern Wheatear at Sagres Fortress in the Algarve

Lagos: We took a side trip to Lagos. Highlights included exploring the ruins in Parque da Cidade de Lagos and spotting some cool doors (door photography is my weird hobby).

Arco / Porta de São Gonçalo was an impressive entrance to this once walled Algarve town. Before heading back to Sagres, we enjoyed ice cream on a mild autumn afternoon.

Sagres Food and Drink

No trip is complete without indulging in some local flavors. We were only in Sagres for a couple of days, but these two restaurants wre definitely highlights.

Viagem aos Sabores: I enjoyed filling Portuguese dishes and crisp white wine at this restaurant on the grounds of Pousada de Sagres. The colorful azulejos added to the charming ambiance.

Bossa Brew House: Our visit to Sagres coincided with the end of the Oktoberfest season at Bossa Brew House. We appreciated live music with an Iberian feel combined with sausage and sauerkraut at this buzzing bar. A tasting paddle of 4 craft beers rounded out the experience.

Where to Stay in Sagres

We stayed at Casa Azul Sagres (Rua Dom Sebastião, 8650-341, Sagres, Portugal), a cozy hotel with breakfast included. Free parking was available on the street and in a nearby lot.

Sagres is quite small and we were able to walk to the main strip of shops and restaurants from our accommodation in under 10 minutes.

There was a power outage in Sagres while we were out to dinner in town one evening. We were pleased to discover that the card readers at the hotel had batteries and thus we were still able to get back into the hotel and to our room despite the temporary blackout.

Is the Sagres Birdwatching Festival Worth Attending?

The Sagres Birdwatching Festival combined my love of nature with the thrill of exploring new places. Sagres offers something for both seasoned birders and curious travelers. The stunning cliffs, bracing winds and deep blue waters were an amazing backdrop to our weekend road trip adventure.

I find that festivals provide the perfect excuse to visit different out of the way destinations. I'm so glad we used the opportunity that the Sagres birding festival presented to embark on this short October road trip to the Algarve!