The million dollar question is always: "How do I get to the trail?". I'll walk you through the options and help you decide which one is best for you. Spoiler alert: Portugal is well connected and the Fishermen's Trail is easy to reach, so fear not.
1. Northbound or southbound?
First you need to decide in which direction you want to hike.
Southbound (Sines/São Torpes to Lagos) is what most people do. Wind often comes from the north, so you are not walking with the wind in your face all day which I'd consider a big plus. Also, more hikers go this direction, which means you keep meeting the same faces at stage ends - for many people that trail family is a big part of the hike. An important point that you really should consider.
Northbound (Lagos to Sines/São Torpes) is fine if it fits your flights or calendar. As 95% of people go southbound, I assume you will do the same - however, if you decide to hike northbound and want to start from Lagos, the easiest combo is usually fly to Faro, then bus to Lagos (about 1.5-2 hours depending on service). Lagos is a full town at the southern end of the coastal route.
2. What is the best starting point?
I'll line up three different starting points and help you decide which one is best for you.
A) São Torpes - official FMT start
This is the official first stage of the Fishermen's Trail. There is almost no village at the trailhead; most people sleep in Sines and take a short bus or taxi to São Torpes. With this option you get the claim every meter of trail honor - you've hiked the full official distance. However, what separates you from the people starting in Porto Covo is only 10 km if good, but not spectacular coastline.
B) Porto Covo - popular start
You skip the first ~10 km (São Torpes to Porto Covo), but start in Porto Covo which is full fledged charming town. It's easy starting here due to direct buses from Lisbon and many hikers take one night's stay in Porto Covo to climatize, explore the town and prepare for the trail.
C) Santiago do Cacém - Historical Way If you start in Santiago do Cacém you'll walk three stages of the Historical Way of the Rota Vicentina and then join the Fishermen's Trail at Porto Covo. Same ~10 km "miss" as option B relative to São Torpes, but you earn them inland first. Good if you want forest and villages before the wind and sand. The Historical Way is also a great trail in its own right, so if you have the extra time on your hands this option is a great choice.
3. Flying in and reaching your start
Okay so far so good! ☀️ You've decided which direction you want to hike and which starting point is best for you. Now you need to decide which airport to fly into. I'll rank them according to trail accessibility. For all bus connections see the Rede Expressos website.
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Lisbon is the airport most people use: closest big hub to the northern end (Sines, Porto Covo, Santiago do Cacém) and the best choice for intercontinental and many European flights.
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Faro is second - ideal if you finish in Lagos southbound (or start in Lagos northbound). Rede Expressos runs a direct bus from Faro to Lagos, but also to Porto Covo if you fly in from the south, but want to hike from the north.
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Porto works if the fare is right; count on a longer transfer by train, bus or domestic flight. By bus Porto is approx. 4 hours from Lisbon, so you need to add that to your full travel time.
Still wondering what to do?
If you're still not sure then I'd suggest you fly into Lisbon, grab the bus to Porto Covo. Take a night in Porto Covo before hitting the trail next day in southbound direction. With that out of the way you are now ready to plan the rest of your trip.
