A defining natural attraction is the Santo André and Sancha Lagoons Nature Reserve. It includes Lagoa de Santo André, which, at about 500 hectares, is the largest lagoon on the Alentejo coast. Fresh and brackish water create diverse aquatic and shoreline ecosystems here. The protected area can be explored from several perspectives: as a lagoon landscape, as a shoreline habitat, and as a place for birdwatching and walks.

Lagoon, Birds and Trails

Late summer and early autumn are recommended for birdwatching. If you plan to make this activity the focus of your trip, you can take this seasonal guidance into account when planning. The visitor programme at the Centro de Interpretação das Lagoas de Santo André e Sancha in Monte do Paio also includes birdwatching at Lagoa de Santo André.

Exhibitions at the centre explore the protected area’s fauna, flora, geology, landscape and history, as well as its natural assets. The centre is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00. Check the opening hours and current programme before your visit.

There are opportunities for walks in the nature reserve, and the Salgueiral da Galiza hiking trail is also located there. Trail conditions may vary by season. Before setting out, check the condition of the trails rather than assuming a particular walking time or level of difficulty.

Coast and Water Activities

Praia da Costa de Santo André is next to Lagoa de Santo André and within the nature reserve. Here, the Atlantic coast meets the calm waters of the lagoon. The lagoon side offers conditions for windsurfing and canoeing. The beach’s location therefore provides a clear basis for choosing between activities on the lagoon side and time on the Atlantic coast, while recognising that these are different water environments.

There is a car park at Praia da Costa de Santo André; check whether it is available before your visit. If the coast is part of your itinerary, you can consider water activities and walks in the protected area as separate focuses.

Church, Fishing and Eel Dishes

The Igreja Paroquial de Santo André preserves two distinct records of local history. The baptistery portal is late Gothic and dates from the late 15th or early 16th century. The church also preserves a folk ex-voto associated with fishing: a wooden miniature boat with wooden fishermen and a net. This small object connects to fishing in a different way from the late-Gothic portal’s link to architectural history.

Eel is also part of the local food culture. Restaurants on the Costa de Santo André serve traditional eel stews, eel caldeiradas and fried eel. Check restaurant availability before your trip. In 2025, the Festival da Enguia da Lagoa de Santo André reached its tenth edition. Nine restaurants in the Freguesia de Santo André took part in the festival, serving eel as caldeirada, ensopado, cooked in a cataplana, as escabeche, and fried or grilled. This information refers to the 2025 edition. For a later trip, check possible event dates and current restaurant availability.

Another celebration is S. Romão on the Costa de Santo André, held on 9 August. Check the specific programme before your trip. The timing guidance differs: birdwatching is particularly recommended in late summer and early autumn, while the centre and events have their own opening hours and dates.

Discover more destinations: Ermidas do Sado, São Bartolomeu da Serra, Sol Posto, Cercal, Aldeia do Cano, Alvalade, Vale de Água, São Domingos.

For the broader travel overview: Santiago Do Cacém.