Natural Reserve of the Lagoons of Santo André and Sancha

Get in touch with nature and practice your favorite outdoors sport in this natural reserve in the lagoons of Santo André and Sancha, in Portugal.

Natural Reserve of the Lagoons of Santo André
and Sancha
© Gail Edwin Aguiar

The Reserva Natural das Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha (Natural Reserve of the Lagoons of Santo André and Sancha) is located in the region of Alentejo and occupies the coastal part of the municipalities of Sines and Santiago do Cacém.

This reserve is conformed by the Lagoon of Santo André, the most important and largest lagoon the coast of Alentejo; and the Lagoon of Sancha. The existence of fresh and sea waters creates a diversified marine and river ecosystem, including small marshes, willow forests, and reedbeds.

This settings attract many species of birds that tend to live here during the periods when other areas are dry or almost so, mainly late summer and early autumn being the best time for bird-watching.

In the Lagoon of Santo André you can see many species of eurasian coot, cinnamon teal or eurasian reed warbler, symbol of the Reserve; whereas in Lagoon of Sancha, the most frequent are colonies of purple herons and cinnamon ducks.

The reserve boasts great natural beauty and offers excellent conditions for the practice of open air activities such as hiking, canoeing, or windsurfing.

Mapa Interactivo:

Santiago do Cacém

What to see:

Other worth-visiting nearby towns and cities:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal