Porto Covo – Vila Nova de Milfontes – Almograve
Day 1: On the Fisherman’s Trail
May 10, 2026
The week leading up to my arrival in Portugal, the weather forecast predicted rain every day. Nicoli, the owner of the Ahoy Hostel where I was staying in Porto Covo, assured us it would only rain for a few minutes, then it would be gone. And he was right!
I set off early from Porto Covo with dark clouds in the distance. It rained for five minutes before the sun returned. It always takes a day to get used to being on the trail again and to get the “vibe” of the new trail. This trail promised jaw-dropping views of the coast, and it did not disappoint!
Rumors of deep, soft sandy trails proved to be spot on. Miles and miles of traversing up and down dunes made for a rough introduction to the Fisherman’s Trail. At times, it felt like I wasn’t making any forward progress. The trail dipped down from the cliffs for a walk on the beach before heading back up again. We finally arrived at the outskirts of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Here I met Debbie from the UK, and we stopped for a beer while waiting to check into our respective accommodations. Later, we would meet for a lovely dinner next to the water.
Where I stayed:
In Vila Nova de Milfontes, I stayed at the OPA Hostel. I was the first to arrive (this would be an ongoing theme throughout the hike). I stayed in a room with 2 bunk beds. In fact, all of the hostels I stayed at while hiking this trail only had 4 people in a room. So very different from the Camino!
The hostel is on the second floor of the building and has a lovely outside terrace to hang laundry and just enjoy the fresh air. It is located just outside of the city center. I made the reservation online through Booking.com and paid €30.
Day 2: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Almograve
May 11, 2026
Today would be a shorter day than yesterday. In fact, it would be the shortest day of the entire journey to Lagos along the Fisherman’s Trail. I arrived at the boat dock at 7:30 AM. When leaving Vila Nova de Milfontes, you can either take a ferry across the bay or walk an additional 2 miles to cross a large bridge. Most opt for the ferry because, well, it’s fun! The 5-minute ride cost 5 euros, and the views of the village in the morning light were spectacular!
The terrain was a little more varied today as we moved farther inland and crossed some beautiful wooded areas. Of course, the majority was along the coastline in the deep sand. Every day, I would stop and take a break or have lunch sitting on a rock overlooking the crashing waves below. Breathtaking! I was walking with Debbie when we arrived in Almograve. Since it was still early, we stopped for lunch at a small cafe before heading to our accommodations for the night.
Where I stayed:
Tonight, I stayed at the Almograve Beach Hostel. It was a nice, updated hostel with the first floor being a kitchen and dining area, and the 2nd floor mainly comprised of private rooms and one room with 2 bunk beds. The bathroom for the 4 of us staying in the bunk room was downstairs off the dining room, which made it quite awkward when showering or getting ready for bed. Also, I never saw a host as our check-in was just an email with the code to open the front door.
The hostel was located a short distance from the city center, and there were a couple of small markets nearby. I paid €45 through Booking.com.