Lemontree Eco Surfhouse

Sagres is a surfer's paradise on the western tip of Portugal, where towering cliffs plunge into the wild Atlantic. The town has a sleepy feel fitting for its location on what was once considered the edge of the world, with an arty attitude brought by the laid-back crowd it attracts. The port is still fully in action, with fishermen dragging in their lobster pots, while the town square has low-key nightlife ideal for post-surf beers.

Unsurprisingly, lots of hostels in Sagres have a focus on surfing. Some offer free rides to the region's best beaches, as well as activities like stand-up paddle boarding and yoga. Most have outdoor spaces with palm trees, hammocks and barbecues. Other Sagres hostels even have swimming pools for cooling off, and on-site bars for sunset mingling with your fellow travellers.

The centre of Sagres has a bohemian feel, with lots of cafés serving vegetarian food and small shops selling handicrafts made from local cork. Beach lovers can head over to Praia do Martinhal just to the northeast of the town centre. One of the biggest beaches in the area, it has soft white sand and fairly sheltered water that makes it a popular spot for swimming. If you're in the mood to party, make the 30-minute drive to Lagos: the city has a lively nightlife with plenty of cocktail bars and clubs.

One of Sagres' key sights is Fortaleza Sagres (Sagres Fort), which has views over the Atlantic. Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St Vincent), the most south westerly point of Europe, is 7km from the centre of Sagres and easy to reach by bus. On this windswept headland, you can see 60m-high cliffs and a lighthouse built on the old ruins of a Franciscan monastery. Praia do Amado is a 25-minute drive from the town and is one of the region's best surfing beaches, with board rental shops if you don't have your own.

Faro International Airport is the nearest airport, about an hour and 15 minutes away by car. You'll find public transport to Sagres if you head into Faro from the airport. The nearest train station is in Lagos, about 32km away, and you can hop on a bus from there. Sagres town centre is small and easy to walk around, and there are buses to other towns in the Algarve.