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Leisure activities in the Vila do Bispo area
- Diving: 'Diverscape', Porto da Baleeira, Sagres. Tel: 965 559 073
- Eco-karting: On the main road between Vila do Bispo and Sagres. Enjoy the amazing thrill-packed new sport of Eco-Kart Landsailing!
- Swim with dolphins, observe marine wildlife and sea birds or take a boat trip around the "End of the World" with Mar Ilimitado!
- Sagres boat trip or fishing trip with Cape Cruiser. Enjoy a cruise around the cape, spot dolphins or get in some serious fishing with Cape Cruiser at Baleeira port, Sagres
- Golf: 'Parque da Floresta' and 'Boa Vista' are the nearest courses
- Slide and Splash water park near Lagoa - operates from the beginning of April to the end of October. It opens daily at 10am and closes between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year.
- Aqualand (The Big One): Water park near Alcantarilha. Open from June 1st to September (2009) 10.00h to 18.00h
- Parque Zoológico de Lagos (Zoo Lagos) - a beautiful zoo, just on the outskirts of Lagos. It is a fantastic day out for all ages, with lots of lovely animals.
Open all year round, 7 days a week.
Winter (from the 1st of October to the 31st of March) 10.00am – 5.00pm
Summer (from the 1st April to the 30th September) 10.00am – 7.00pm
Quinta Figueiras – Sítio do Medronhal
Barão de S.João
8600-013
Tel: 282 680 100
- Surfing - at any of the excellent beaches along the western atlantic coast.
Areas of interest in and around Vila do Bispo
 Western Atlantic coast:
Vila do Bispo is ideally placed for access to the beaches on the western Atlantic coast which are great for surfing or simply relaxing - they tend to be a lot quieter than the beaches on the south coast.
Cabo de São Vicente:
 Home to Europe's most powerful lighthouse and offering stunning views of the coast, the headland, Cabo de São Vicente (“Cape St. Vincent”) should definitely be on the 'things to do' list! The point was named after the body of St. Vincent was taken there to protect it from the invading Moors and became a place of pilgrimage for centuries. In 1173, the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, had the remains of St.Vincent transported to Lisbon. Today, there is an impressive lighthouse (claimed to be one of Europe’s most powerful lighthouses), and the views from either side of the point are simply breathtaking. For a lot of the year, there are a few market stalls lining the road to the lighthouse, selling anything from postcards to clothes (including great winter ponchos!) and there are usually a few snack vans selling snacks, confectionary and drinks.
Churches in the Vila do Bispo area
- 17th century church in Vila do Bispo: also home to the Museum of Sacred Art.
- Raposeira main Church: Originates from the 16th century and still has a manueline door.
- Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe) thought to be13th century and where Henry the Navigator worshipped. It was one of only a handful of buildings that survived the 1755 earthquake intact. It is just to side of the main (N125) road between Raposeira and Budens.
Opening hours: April to September 09.30h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 18.00h.
October to March 09.30h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 17.00h
Closed Monday, Tuesday morning and main holidays.
- Budens main Church from the 18th century contains religious artefacts from the 16th to 18th century.
- Hermitage of São António (St. Anthony) in Budens from the 18th century.
- Hermitage of São Lourenço (St. Lawrence) in Budens originates from the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Barão de São Miguel Church: Originates from the 16th century.
Galleries and Museums in Vila do Bispo
- Cultural centre in Vila do Bispo - for films, concerts, exhibitions etc.
Opening hours: 09.00h to 18.00h . Closed Sundays
- Museum of Sacred Art - in the Parish Church in Vila do Bispo
Historical remains in the Vila do Bispo area
- Take a walk at Monte dos Amantes, near Vila do Bispo where there are the remains of 'menhirs' from the 3rd/4th millenium B.C. (a reminder of the 'Stone Age'). There are lots of these 'standing stones' in the area either singly or in groups from 2 to 20 or more -
In the Budens area : Adreneira (3), Vale do Oiro (2), Caniços (3), Figueira (6).
In the Raposeira area: Barreiros, Gasga (6), Milrei (21), Padrão (15), Ingrina (3) and Ladeiras (2)
- Burgau has the remains of 17th century fortifications built during the reign of King João IV.
- At Figueira the remains of a 16th century fortification can be seen, but it isn't easy to get to.
- Zavial has the remains of a 17th century fortification and the ruins of a large masonry tower, formerly part of a watchtower, are visible at Ponte da Torre.
- Boca do Rio - remains of a Roman villa, bathhouse and fish salting tanks.
- Praia da Salema - Roman villa remains
- Fortaleza de Santo António on the EN268 at Beliche was built during the reign of King João III in the 16th century, to protect the fishermen. Inside is a chapel dedicated to Santa Catarina.
- Fortaleza do Cabo de São Vicente, near Sagres, was constructed during the reign of King João III -to defend the coast from the pirates and corsairs. The lighthouse was built in 1904 in the centre of the fortifications on the site of an old convent.
- Fort do Beliche in Sagres: The remains of the 16th century fort still stand on the cliff top near Praia do Beliche. Fort do Beliche which was built to protect the local fishing fleet. It was destroyed by Sir Francis Drake in 1587 and subsequently rebuilt in 1632. Inside the fort is the chapel of Santa Catarina.
- Fortaleza de Sagres - originating from the 15th century and generally reputed to be the site of Prince Henry's School of Navigation. It was destroyed by Sir Francis Drake in 1587 and subsequently rebuilt in 1793.
Opening hours: 10.00 to 18.30 and from May to September: 10.00 to 20.30, closed 1st May and 25th December.
- Wind Compass in Sagres: The 39m-diameter wind compass, (“Wind Rose”) is an impressive, yet puzzling sight.
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