Azenhas do Mar
Sintra, Portugal
White houses stacked on a cliff above a natural sea pool. The classic photo is from the viewpoint on the road north of the village; parking is very limited, so avoid summer weekends in a large vehicle.
Azenhas do Mar (“Watermills of the Sea”) is a village on a cliff above the Atlantic, about 30 km north-west of Lisbon in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Its name comes from the watermills on the Cameijo stream, the oldest of which may date from the Islamic period. Wine has been grown here since the 19th century, above all Ramisco, which survived phylloxera thanks to the sandy soil. The village became a seaside resort in the 20th century, and the Sintra tramway reached it in 1930. At the foot of the cliff is a seawater pool built in the mid-20th century.
The village had just 451 inhabitants in 2017, so a stroll with photo stops takes one to two hours. One guidebook suggests combining the coast with a sunset by the ocean and a seafood meal. The beach of Praia das Maçãs lies less than 2 km to the north. Without a car, allow extra time to get here.
- Nearest town
- Sintra, Portugal
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 38.8408, -9.4618
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Portugal: Electronic tolls by number plate. Some motorways only have electronic tolls; register your plate or rent a transponder. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Aldeia da PraiaCampsite2 km from Azenhas do MarWi-Fi
- quinta 7 nomesCampsite3 km from Azenhas do MarWi-Fi
- Portela de SintraMotorhome stopover9 km from Azenhas do MarMotorhomes
- Stellplatz Santa SusanaMotorhome stopover11 km from Azenhas do MarMotorhomes
- Orbitur GuinchoCampsite13 km from Azenhas do MarTentsCaravans
- Area MafraMotorhome stopover16 km from Azenhas do Mar · 7 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
All campsites in Portugal · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Azenhas do Mar?
Azenhas do Mar is in Sintra, Portugal, at GPS 38.8408, -9.4618. It is about 14 km from Ericeira.
Can you camp near Azenhas do Mar?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sociedade Civil de Campistas das Marinhas S.A., about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 16 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Azenhas do Mar?
Azenhas do Mar is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Lisbon to Sintra along the Cascais coast.
What is there to see near Azenhas do Mar?
Places worth a stop nearby: Cabo da Roca (7 km), Quinta da Regaleira (8 km), Castle of the Moors (8 km) and Palácio da Pena (9 km).
When is the best time to visit Azenhas do Mar?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)