The municipality's southern coastline, preserved almost to its wild state, is protected by natural park. There are some of the finest Portuguese beaches, small bright sand sheets among huge rocks creating an ambience of intimacy and exclusiveness. The two main urban centres, Sines and Porto Covo, are charming little towns, calm, rich in history and offering superb gastronomy, based on the fish and seafood captured nearby.
With more than six centuries of history, the town centre of Sines keeps the main lines of its medieval foundation. Bright and turned to the sea, the countless terraces over the Atlantic give it the magic of a Mediterranean town. An old fishing town, Sines has been gradually transformed by tourism and industry. Nowadays, it is a major port and oil-tanker terminal of great importance to the Portuguese economy. On the cliff borderline stand the town most significant monuments: the Castle, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Salas (fishermen’s patron saint) and the Parish Church.
Vasco da Gama (1468-1524) is said to have been born here, being the son of the governor general of Sines. One of the castle towers houses a small museum collection dedicated to this famous navigator.
There is a large shortwave broadcasting station at Sines. The most remarkable antenna towers are the rotable towers looking like a big "V".
| Region: | Alentejo |  |
| Sub-region: | Alentejo Litoral | |
| District: | Setúbal | |
| Inhabitants (2001): | 12 500 (City), 13 577 (District) | |
| Parishes (2): | Porto Covo, Sines | |
| Area: | 198,97 km² | |
| Coordinates: | 37°58'N 8°53'W | |
| Municipality: | Câmara Municipal de Sines Largo João de Deus 7520-159 Sines |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Traces of human occupation is Sines can be traced back to Pre-historic times. It has since been inhabited by Romans, Visigoths and Arabs, the latter of whom stayed in this region for many years, leaving their mark on architecture and the way of life here. As a small fishing village, Sines was conquered from the Arabs at the end of the XII century and presented to the Order of Santiago. It was granted a Royal Charter in the XIV century.Vasco da Gama's place of birth, King D. Manuel decreed further Royal privileges on the town in 1512. The municipality was restored after the Republic was established.
Sines was a mainly fishers' and summer tourists' town until the 1970's. Since then has become a major industrial port in Portugal and will have, in the next few years, one of the biggest hub ports in Europe.
This page shows basic information. There is no guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the given facts. The page is regularly updated.
