This year, just like last year, we planned to spend the spring holiday in Portugal. The idea was to map out a road trip from Porto to Faro, staying somewhere new every night along the way. But when our flight to Porto was changed from morning to evening, we decided to rethink everything. Instead, we flew to Lisbon and chose a slower pace. Rather than constantly moving on, we stayed a few nights in each place. We started with two nights in Alcobaça and ended the trip with three nights in Olhão. In between, we spent four nights at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, right at the far southwestern tip of the Algarve.
Read this article in DutchFrom Alcobaça to Sagres
We picked up our rental car at Lisbon Airport, which I had booked through Discovercars. That worked perfectly! The platform is clear and makes it easy to filter by user reviews across different rental companies. When collecting the car, we were offered an automatic upgrade for an extra 15 euros. For nine days, that felt like an easy decision.
We spent the first two days in the charming town of Alcobaça, best known for the impressive Mosteiro de Alcobaça, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of course, we took some time to explore it and also drove out to Nazaré, a place that had been on my list for a long time, mainly because of its famously enormous waves. On the third day, we continued our journey south towards Sagres.
The wild side of the Algarve
Sagres sits at the far southwestern edge of Portugal, in the Algarve region. When you think of the Algarve, you might picture busy beaches and a long stretch of coastal resorts, but this part feels completely different. Where other areas are known for sheltered coves and lively seaside towns, the landscape here is raw and untouched. Towering cliffs, rugged coastlines and wide open views over the Atlantic define the scenery. This area is part of Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, a protected coastal region known for its biodiversity and striking natural beauty.
Martinhal Sagres: luxury and family friendliness combined
Set right in the middle of this rugged landscape is Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, the first resort of the Martinhal group. It was created with the idea of combining luxury and family friendliness in a natural, effortless way. No loud entertainment or mass tourism, but a refined place where both parents and children can truly feel at ease.
You notice it as soon as you arrive. The resort is spacious and thoughtfully designed, surrounded by greenery with mature trees and gentle level differences across the grounds.
Our stay in an Ocean House
We stayed for four nights in an Ocean House. As the name suggests, these houses come with views over the sea, something that never really loses its appeal. The layout is slightly different from what you might expect. Downstairs you will find two bedrooms and two bathrooms, while upstairs there is a bright living area with an open kitchen and a spacious terrace. It makes perfect sense, as the first floor offers an even better view of the ocean.
The house is fully equipped and subtly designed with families in mind. There is a high chair, toilet seat reducers and even a separate bin for nappies. You can also request different types of toys and other essentials to be placed in your accommodation, and stair gates are available as well. These are small details, but they show how much thought has gone into comfort. At the same time, it never feels like a typical family-focused stay. Even if you do not use any of these extras, it remains a calm and stylish space.
What I really like is that you have the privacy of a house, combined with the ease of hotel services. When you check in, you can decide if you would like housekeeping, how often and at what time of day.
Different types of accommodation
In addition to the Ocean Houses, the resort offers a wide range of other accommodation options, making it easy to find something that suits your style of travel. You can choose from hotel rooms with partial or full sea views, as well as various houses and villas spread across the grounds.
There are Garden Houses with private terraces set within green, walled gardens, or Pinewood and Bay Houses that tend to be in quieter areas, often overlooking greenery or the ocean. For larger families or those looking for extra privacy, there are also spacious villas with multiple bedrooms, some of which even come with a private pool.
What stands out is that all accommodation types are generously designed and share the same balance of comfort, understated style and thoughtful family-friendly details.
Facilities at the resort
What makes Martinhal Sagres stand out is how extensive yet relaxed the facilities feel. Several swimming pools are spread across the resort, most of them heated. If you are in the mood for a quieter moment without families around, there is also an adults only pool.
For children, there is plenty to do. From a large playground with a pleasant bar and terrace next to it for parents, to a well organised kids club and an indoor play area for older children.
There is also a well stocked supermarket with a surprisingly wide range of baby and children’s products. In addition, you will find various sports facilities, including padel courts, a mini golf course and bike rental. It is one of those places where you can easily fill your days without ever feeling rushed.
Relaxing at Finisterra Spa
For those in search of a quieter moment, Finisterra Spa is the place to be. Surrounded by greenery, it immediately feels calm and tucked away from the rest of the resort. You can come here for a range of treatments, but also to make use of the sauna and other wellness facilities.
Both the indoor spaces and the garden are thoughtfully designed, with a serene and understated atmosphere. It is the kind of place where you can truly slow down for a while, even though the pace of the resort itself is already very relaxed.
Martinhal Sagres breakfast buffet
Breakfast at Martinhal is generous, with something for everyone. You can choose to sit inside or outside, but the terrace overlooking the sea in the soft morning light quickly became my favourite spot.
The family friendly approach is noticeable here as well. A small kids corner with supervision is located in the same space as the breakfast area. There is no separate enclosed room, which means children can play while parents enjoy a relaxed start to the day. If they want to move back and forth between the table and the play area, that is perfectly fine.
Restaurants and bars
The resort has several restaurants, each with its own atmosphere. O Terraço, mentioned earlier, is where you can go for breakfast as well as dinner with views over the sea. Os Gambozinos is an Italian restaurant serving pizzas and pasta, and tends to feel especially lively in the evening. There is also M Bar, a relaxed, surf style spot for a drink or something light during the day, right next to the playground.
We had dinner at As Dunas, located directly by the beach and the pool. The setting is lovely and the dishes are surprisingly good. What stands out, once again, is the attention given to children. The menu is extensive and even includes options for babies, making it suitable for all ages.
Apart from O Terraço and As Dunas, we did not try the other restaurants, simply because we also enjoyed spending time in our own accommodation. You cannot do everything, after all.
Good food in Sagres
Sagres itself is a small town with a handful of good places to eat. From Martinhal, you can walk there along the beach. It is a lovely walk in the morning, perfect for a coffee once you arrive, but just as nice around lunchtime. Along the way, you have wide views over the ocean, where surfers are almost always out in the water.
Two places that really stood out to us are Three Little Birds and Roots & Waves. Both have a relaxed atmosphere and serve fresh, flavourful dishes, often with a healthy touch. Another great option is A Sereia, located in the harbour, where you can go for a simple lunch of freshly caught fish. You choose your fish from the display, depending on what has been brought in that day. Once it is gone, it is gone, so it is best to arrive early if you want to eat here.
Beautiful places around Sagres
The surroundings of Sagres are striking. Rugged coastlines and endless views over the ocean define the landscape, and it is exactly the kind of scenery I never get tired of. One of the most well known spots in the area is Fortaleza de Sagres, a historic fort set on a dramatic cliff, which once played an important role during the Portuguese Age of Discovery.
The lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point of mainland Europe, is also well worth a visit. This is where you truly feel the force of the ocean, with uninterrupted views over the wild and windswept coastline.
Drive along the west coast towards Praia da Bordeira. The cliffs, fishermen standing on the rocks and the powerful waves make this one of the most photogenic stretches of coastline in Portugal. Alongside the wide sandy beach, you will find wooden boardwalks leading to several beautiful viewpoints. On the way, it is also worth taking the turn towards Miradouro da Cordoama, where you are rewarded with sweeping views over the rugged cliffs.
If you are looking for a beach that still feels wonderfully remote, especially outside the main season, Praia da Ponta Ruiva is a great choice.
Other Martinhal locations
Martinhal Sagres was the first resort in the Martinhal collection and immediately set the tone for the concept. It was developed by Roman and Chitra Stern, who wanted to combine luxury accommodation with a genuinely thoughtful family friendly approach, something that hardly existed in this form at the time. Since then, several other locations have opened in Portugal, including Martinhal Quinta do Lago in the Algarve and Martinhal Lisbon Chiado in Lisbon, a boutique hotel in the heart of the city that brings the same philosophy into an urban setting.
What all Martinhal locations have in common is their focus on luxury, space and family friendliness, without ever feeling like a typical family hotel. Whether you are travelling with young children or with teenagers like we were, it never feels crowded or overwhelming. Everything has been considered, right down to the details!
