Salema Beach

Located three hours south of Lisbon near Cape Sagres, Salema is a small fishing village known for its gentle Atlantic shore break on a wide beach between two steep cliffs. While much of Portugal’s scenic Algarve Coast has been engulfed by new high-rises and resorts, Salema remains admirably authentic, with one main street, white stucco houses, an outdoor market providing staples for picnics, and just a dozen places to eat and drink. The lack of luxuries and diversions translates into accommodation savings: “Quatros” (rooms with bathrooms in private homes) go for about $26, while self-catering apartments at Pension A Maré are under $130 nightly.

Salema, Portugal