Where to Stay in Sesimbra (hotels + apartments)
Sea views, getaway to Arrábida Natural Park, and places that actually face the ocean
A lovely welcome committee at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Cabo Espichel, 20 minutes drive from Sesimbra
Sesimbra is one of the easiest coastal escapes from Lisbon if you rent a car (and where we had the best pastéis de nata) — and also one of the easiest to get wrong.
On paper, it’s simple: beach, cliffs, Atlantic views, a locals’ favorite. In reality, some “sea view” stays barely glimpse the water, some central locations get noisy in summer, and the best-value places are often just slightly removed from the promenade.
This guide is strict on purpose. Every place listed below is:
a hotel, pousada, apartment, or alojamento local
chosen because the sea is genuinely part of the experience
And while you’re at it, get a Portugal travel guidebook!
Plan your escape to Sesimbra and Arrábida: where to stay and things to do
First: where you want to base yourself in Sesimbra
Cod drying in Sesimbra’s city center
Before booking anything, this matters. Sesimbra is small but spread out:
On the promenade → convenient, lively, can be noisy in summer
Elevated or just outside town → better views, quieter nights, often better value
If the view matters, always book a room explicitly labelled sea view.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
For the best sea views at genuinely good prices, travel in low season — especially October. The weather often stays warm and bright, crowds thin out, and accommodation prices drop significantly. We’ve booked a sea-view apartment in Sesimbra for as little as 60 € per night during this period.
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🌊 Track a real dolphin with Fahlo and get 20% (other sea animals available too)
Classic hotels with direct sea views
Our accommodation was 2 min walk from Sesimbra’s main beach, which we enjoyed every day
🏨 Sesimbra Hotel & Spa
This is the most straightforward choice in town, and we included in our favorite sea-views hotels near Lisbon.
Why it works:
Direct beachfront location
Many rooms with clear, frontal sea views
Comfortable, modern, easy logistics
It’s not trying to be boutique or edgy — it’s reliable, well-located, and does exactly what most people want.
🏨 Hotel do Mar
Slightly dated in style, excellent in position.
Why we like it:
Elevated above the bay = wider, calmer views
Quieter nights than the promenade
Very good value outside July–August
If you care more about the view than the furniture, this one makes sense.
🏨 Sesimbra Oceanfront Hotel
This hotel does exactly what it promises. It sits right on the waterfront, and when you book a sea-view room, the Atlantic is front and centre — no road tricks, no awkward angles.
Why it works:
True ocean-facing rooms
Central but straightforward, no resort noise
Excellent option for short, view-focused stays
It’s more practical than romantic, but if your priority is opening the curtains to the sea, this one delivers.
Apartments & alojamento local with sea views
Sunrise over Sesimbra from our alojamento local found on Booking
🏠 Ocean View Apartments Sesimbra
A solid option if you want independence without sacrificing the view.
Why it works:
Sea-facing balconies
More space than a standard hotel room
Good value for multi-night stays
Ideal for couples or slow travel.
🏠 Other apartments in Sesimbra (Booking listings)
Sesimbra actually shines with independent sea-view apartments listed on Booking, especially along the main bay and slightly elevated streets.
Why this option works:
Full sea-facing balconies in many listings
More space than hotel rooms
Excellent value in shoulder and low season
This is often the best-value way to stay in Sesimbra, particularly for:
couples staying more than two nights
slow travel
October and off-season trips
🐧 Penguin Trampoline note
This is where we’ve found some of our best deals — including sea-view apartments for around 60 € per night in October, in places that cost far more in summer.
When booking, filter by:
Sea view
Entire apartment
Recent reviews (last 12 months)
Pasteis de nata with a view
We had these delicious pastéis de nata at O Caseiro.
And they taste even better with a sea view!
On the pic: A yummy pastéis on our balcony in Sesimbra
Calm, elevated stays near Sesimbra
Sesimbra viewed from Sesimbra Castle
🌿 Eco Lodge Villa Epicurea
Villa Epicurea sits slightly back from the coast, in an elevated position with open views toward the ocean and Arrábida hills.
Why it works:
Eco Lodge Villa EpicureaCalm, secluded setting
Eco-focused, low-impact philosophy
A slower rhythm than central Sesimbra
This isn’t a beachfront stay — it’s for people who want nature, space, and quiet, with the sea as a constant backdrop rather than background noise.
🏡 Zambujal Suites
Zambujal Suites is set just outside the busier parts of town, above the coast. No sea views, but stunning countryside surroundings.
Why it works:
Elevated position = very calm
Spacious suites rather than standard rooms
Infinity pool when you don’t feel like going down to the beach
Character stay worth the short drive from Sesimbra
Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Cabo Espichel is only 25 min drive away from Sesimbra
🏨 Pousada Castelo de Palmela
A historic pousada set high above the coast. If you want to indulge, that’s your place!
Why it works:
Dramatic setting and big views
Quiet nights and a strong sense of place
Excellent outside peak season
Not ideal if you want to walk to the beach, but fantastic if atmosphere matters more than proximity.
🏨 Casa Palmela
Casa Palmela isn’t a sea-view hotel in the literal, open-the-curtains sense — and it’s important to say that upfront. What it offers instead is space, silence, and atmosphere, set in a beautifully restored historic estate on the edge of the Arrábida hills, about a 15–20 minute drive from Sesimbra’s coast.
Why it still belongs here:
Peaceful countryside setting close to the sea
Elegant rooms and grounds with a strong sense of place
Ideal if you want coastal days and very quiet nights
This is a great option if you plan to spend your days by the ocean, but don’t want to sleep on the promenade or deal with summer noise.
Best for:
couples
shoulder season stays
travelers who value calm over convenience
Explore more accommodations in and around Sesimbra (zoom in and out on the map below):
Exploring Arrábida Natural Park? Make sure you have a good travel insurance. We’ve partnered with HeyMondo for 5% off (and sometimes up to 15%) just for you.
Is Sesimbra right for you?
"Happiness is here" (Praia das Bicas) - Agreed!
Sesimbra works especially well if you want:
sea views without a long drive from Lisbon
a more local feel than Nazaré or Ericeira, especially in summer
easy access to Arrábida Natural Park and its coves
If you want bigger drama and surf culture, head north.
If you want silence and wide-open landscapes, go further south.
Sesimbra sits comfortably in between — and that’s exactly its strength.
Oh, and on your way from or to Lisbon, don’t miss Praia das Bicas, which we included in our favorite wild and underrated beaches in Portugal.
Plan your Portugal escape
✈️ Find flights to Portugal: Omio Flights
🏨 Find hotels: Booking accommodations
🧭 Book tours: GetYourGuide Portugal
🚗 Compare car rentals in Portugal: Rentalcars.com
🧳 Get travel gear: Shop our Amazon travel gear list
🛡️ Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off): Get Heymondo
🐾 Fahlo Wildlife Bracelets (20% off): Shop Fahloto stay
FAQ – Where to stay in Sesimbra
Do all hotels in Sesimbra have sea views?
No. Only certain hotels and room categories face the sea. To guarantee the view, always choose a room clearly labelled sea view on Booking.
Is it better to stay in Sesimbra town or outside?
Town stays are convenient but can be noisier in summer. Staying slightly outside town often means calmer nights, more space, and better value.
When is the best season to visit Sesimbra for good hotel rates?
For the best mix of weather, calm, and prices, aim for May, June, September, or October. July and August are peak season, so sea-view rooms sell out fast and prices rise.
Here’s a playlist for your Sesimbra escape.
Sesimbra isn’t about ticking off a famous name or chasing the biggest waves. It’s about proximity and balance — close enough to Lisbon to be easy, far enough from it to breathe. When you choose the right place to stay, the town delivers exactly what many travelers are quietly looking for: sea views without spectacle, calm nights, a local vibe, and a coastline that feels lived in rather than performed.
Whether you end up right on the promenade, slightly above town, or just outside Sesimbra altogether, the key is the same: book deliberately. Choose your view, check the room category, and think about season as much as location. Do that, and Sesimbra becomes less of a stopover and more of a place you’ll remember.
Want to explore more amazing destinations in Portugal?
🏖️10 Wild & Underrated Beaches in Portugal
🐟 Best Sea Views Hotels Near Lisbon
🗺️ 5 destinations in Portugal off the beaten path
🌊 Things to do in Nazaré, Portugal: Big Waves Capital of the World
🏄 Where to Stay in Nazaré & Ericeira
