Salema is a charming fishing village located in the Algarve region of Portugal. Located about a three-hour drive from Lisbon, this area offers a beautiful sandy beach featuring real 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints—which was a massive hit with our dinosaur-loving son. It is also strategically located for taking day trips to Sagres or Lagos, both just a 30-minute drive away. All of these areas offer family-friendly, beautiful sandy beaches and excellent dining. Click here for our interactive GoogleMap.
Things to Do
1. Praia da Salema
Praia da Salema is a broad, golden-sand beach in the fishing village of Salema. With crystal-clear water, soft sand, and fascinating prehistoric history right on the shore, it’s one of the most unique, family-friendly beaches in the western Algarve.
Seeing the 125-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints
The absolute highlight for our family was finding the real dinosaur tracks embedded in the rocks. For my dinosaur-obsessed son, this was an unforgettable stop!
- Location: The tracks are located on a flat limestone slab near the wooden stair access at the end of the beach (you can easily walk over along the sand from the main town entry).
- Best Viewpoint: Head up the wooden stairs onto the walkway for the best angle to see the distinct three-toed tracks.
- What You’ll See: Informational signs in both English and Portuguese detail how a large three-toed herbivore (likely an Iguanodon) walked across the mud here over 125 million years ago. My son was thrilled to step in footprints left by a real dinosaur!
- Tide Warning: Check the tide schedule before you go. The dinosaur footprints are much trickier to access—and can be partially covered by water—during high tide.
Beach Facilities & Parking
- Parking Options: You can park for free in the main town lot or use the secondary parking lot located right at the top of the stairs above the dinosaur tracks.
- Amenities: The main beach area features lifeguards on duty during the high season, sunbed rentals, kayak rentals, and an outdoor foot shower to rinse off sand right next to Restaurante Atlântico. There are also sunbed rentals available.
- Wind Advisory: Like most coastal spots in the Algarve, afternoon winds can pick up quickly, so be sure to anchor your beach umbrella securely.
Where to Eat Near Praia da Salema While you can order food directly to your sunbeds or grab a quick bite at the beachfront cafes, we highly recommend having lunch at O Lourenço. This family-friendly seafood restaurant features a giant live aquarium stocked with lobsters, crabs, and local fish that kids love checking out while waiting for food. (Check out our full “Where to Eat in Salema” section below for details!)
2. Day Trip to Lagos
Located just a 30-minute drive from Salema, Lagos is an incredibly easy and rewarding day trip for families. With good infrastructure, available parking, and a mix of historic charm and stunning coastlines, it’s a perfect destination to add to your itinerary.
Exploring Historic Lagos Old Town
The absolute highlight of the city center is the charming, pedestrian-only Old Town. It is flat, easy to navigate with a stroller, and filled with street performers and artisan shops.
- Local Shopping: Stop by Toranja, a cute shop featuring unique products by Portuguese artists, like a mini Lagos micro-puzzle that easily fits into a daypack.
- Best Photo Spot: Don’t miss the historic “Green House” (Casa das Alcaçarias) on Praça Luís de Camões. Its stunning green-tiled facade makes a picture-perfect backdrop for family photos.
- Kid-Friendly Entertainment: Younger kids will love taking a ride on the Carrossel Júbilo, a vintage carousel right in the town center.
Taking in the Views at Passadiços da Ponta da Piedade
Venture out to the nearby Passadiços da Ponta da Piedade boardwalk for breathtaking cliffside views. Stick to the flat, upper wooden path if you have a stroller. Adventurous families can take the stone staircases down to the sea arches, but be warned: the climb back up is brutal on little legs! There is a large parking lot conveniently located at the entrance to the boardwalk.
Beach Day at Praia do Porto de Mós
- Parking & Accessibility: Parking with a drop-off zone and a wide, flat ramp leading right onto the sand.
- Amenities: Praia do Porto de Mós has lifeguards on duty during the summer and offers kayak and pedal boat rentals (some even feature slides!).
- Fossil & Crystal Hunting: Walk left along the Porto de Mós shoreline toward Praia do Canavial to spend hours searching for rocks embedded with natural crystals and fossilized shells.
- Wind Advisory: Like most beaches in the western Algarve, afternoon winds can pick up quickly, so be sure to secure your pop-up sun shelter or beach umbrella.
Where to Eat in Lagos
We loved heading into the charming town for dinner and ice cream. For a fantastic family meal, Restaurante Azimute offers phenomenal Portuguese dishes and a shaded outdoor patio, while CIUCCIO serves up unforgettable Italian-international fusion. Both spots are incredibly welcoming to families and happy to whip up simple pastas for the kids.
For dessert, prepare for a brief line at Gelícia for chocolate-dipped cones, or enjoy the relaxed “slow service” at Gloosi By Artisani for top-tier gelato.
For the Full Family Guide to Lagos, click here for more information.
Where to Eat in Salema
O Lourenço
During our family trip to the Algarve, one of our absolute favorite lunches was at O Lourenço, a charming seafood restaurant in Salema. Located less than a five-minute walk from Salema Beach, the restaurant features a comfortable, shaded outdoor patio equipped with misters for hot days, plus an aquarium filled with lobsters and crabs that kept our kids completely entertained.
The star of the meal was their fresh fish presentation. The staff brought out a massive platter featuring local catches like red bream, red mullet, and grouper. We ordered a delicious half-grouper to share, along with fried calamari, local Portuguese cheese, octopus, and steak—and every single dish was fantastic.
O Lourenço is easily one of the most family-friendly restaurants in Salema, offering high chairs, a baby changing station, and a dedicated kids’ menu with options like pasta, chicken, and burgers. Because it’s a top spot for Algarve family dining, we strongly recommend making reservations in advance (by phone).
Final Thoughts
Salema is a wonderful town to visit for a quick day trip or to enjoy for a longer, relaxing stay. Between uncovering the incredible dinosaur footprints right on the beach and enjoying an amazing seafood lunch at O Lourenço, our time here was truly memorable. For more information on things to do in the Algarve region of Portugal, be sure to check out the other family travel guides on our blog!