Sines’ historic centre

Sines’ historic centre goes along the cliff, from the Castle to the Fortress of Revelim, and remains charming, in spite of all the changes the town has suffered. Besides the magnificent views to the Atlantic, among the Sines' historic centre points of interest we must highlight the shopping streets around the ancient medieval axis (Rua Cândido dos Reis and Rua Teófilo Braga), the Largo dos Penedos da Índia (with the ancient watch-tower, where fishermen watched the sea) and Rua Vasco da Gama, where the manor house that caused his expulsion from Sines was supposed to be, or even, if we trust tradition, the house where Vasco da Gama was born (Note: the house is presently a private residence, closed to visitors). Functioning as a gate between the old and the new city, don’t miss the daring building of the new Centro de Artes de Sines (Sines’ Arts Centre).

Fishermen land

The history of Sines was, until 35 years ago, the history of a fishing village. Nowadays, in spite of not having the importance of times past, fishing continues to employ hundreds of men and to give the bay of Sines a charm and colouring unique in Alentejo. Before or after your meal, in summer or in winter, a visit to the the marginal avenue of Beach Vasco da Gama may be an incursion to the emotional centre of the city.

Porto Covo: a jewel of popular architecture

Largo Marquês de Pombal (Square Marquês de Pombal), a wonder of Portuguese Illuminist architecture, keeps almost intact the outline of the 18th century and it is a compulsory visiting space.