Vila do Bispo

Vila do Bispo is a town and municipality in Portugal's Algarve. It includes the destinations of Sagres and Salema.

Understand

Praia do Beliche.

Vila do Bispo (VEE-luh doo BEESH-poo, /ˈvi.ɫɐ du ˈbiʃ.pu/) municipality has 5,258 people (2011). It's at the southwestern corner on the coast of the Algarve.

Visitor information

The municipality's tourist information office is in Sagres.

Get in

The nearest train service is at Lagos from Faro, which offers connections to Vila Real de Santo António, Lisbon and beyond.

Eva Transportes route 47 provides bus service from Lagos to Vila do Bispo.

The main road into Vila do Bispo is EN125, which was the Algarve's principal highway until the motorways were built.

See

• 1 Capela de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe), Raposeira (just off the EN 125 road). Chapel reputedly built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century. Prince Henry the Navigator is said to have prayed here. It's a national monument. (updated Jun 2021)

Do

• 1 Paintball Clube Vila do Bispo, Rua José Cardoso, ☏ +351 967 574 880, paintballclubevb@sapo.pt. A paintball Club in Vila do Bispo. 
• 2 Praia da Salema. Salema's beach is one of the most pleasant and authentic segments of coast in Portugal. The stretch immediately in front of town has beach umbrellas and services in the European style, and while the coastline to the west is fairly rocky, the sandy beachline continues for more than a kilometre to the east. Fishing boats are drawn up on the beach to the side of the town, and several boats and moored fishing buoys are scattered within a few hundred feet of the shoreline, but they add to the ambiance, not detract. (updated Jul 2021)

Eat

• 1 Atlântico Restaurant & Bar, 1 Rua 28 de Janeiro, Salema, ☏ +351 282 695 142. 10:00–23:00 daily. A sizable establishment, the Atlantico features a short stairway right down to the beach (and the town's only ATM out front). The seafood, of course, is fresh and tasty, and the restaurant features one of the more well-stocked bars in town. €13-21. (updated Apr 2021)
• 2 Restaurante O Lourenço, Rua 28 de Janeiro, Salema (just north of the main harbour, on the back road to Figueira), ☏ +351 282 698 622. 12:00–23:00 daily. Fantastic venue for fresh fish, beautifully cooked. Great service by friendly waiters. All for a decent price. Sit inside or on the terrace across the cobbled lane. 
• 3 Restaurante Mira Mar, Travessa do Mar 1, Salema. 12:00–00:00. Mira Mar is a more expensive but worthwhile proposition, located at the base of Rua de Pescadores, near the beach. Their whitefish is quite tasty, and the bar makes a sangria that will forever alter your sangria standards. (updated Apr 2021)
• 4 Pisco, Rua Comandante Matoso 2 (Praça da República), ☏ +351 282 096 741, piscovdb@gmail.com. Th–Tu 18:00–22:00, closed W. Vegetarian Italian restaurant with all dishes cooked with natural ingredients. Lunch menu of the day is cheap and good. €5-10. (updated May 2019)
• 5 Salema Market, Rua 28 de Janeiro, Salema (partway up Rua de Pescadores), ☏ +351 917 379 088. M–Sa 09:00–19:00, closed Su. Offers a variety of foods to support your picnicking needs, including bread, olives, wine, cheeses, and other produce. (updated Apr 2021)

Sleep

• 1 A Maré, Praia de Salema, Budens, ☏ +351 282 695 165, daniela@the-mare.com. A Maré, Praia de Salema. This small set of apartments and rooms sits on a hill overlooking the centre of town, right off the main road into town and above the bus stop. Balconies and breakfast are included in your stay, and fully-furnished pensions, or apartments, are well-maintained and very cozy. €50-90. 
• 2 Hotel Mira Sagres, Rua 1º de Maio 3, ☏ +351 282 639 160, info@hotelmirasagres.com. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Three-star, 21-room hotel with swimming pool, spa, bar, in-room refrigerator, and free Wi-Fi. €48-103. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 NAU Salema Beach Village, Salema (Praia da Salema, Vila do Bispo), ☏ +351 213 007 009, bookings@nauhotels.com. 
• 4 Hotel Residencial Salema, Rua 28 de Janeiro, Salema, ☏ +351 282 695 328, info@hotelsalema.com. R. 28 De Janeiro and Praia Da Salema, 282 695 328. The large building right off the beach and behind The Atlantico is hard to miss. While it's not much to look at, the location and views are fantastic and prices are reasonable. €50-80.