The sea has always been intimately related to Sines history. Sines was Vasco da Gama's birthplace, the famous Portuguese navigator commander of the first fleet sailing from Europe to India (sec XV), initiating the Africa, Latin America and the East trade routes.

Being the Atlantic entrance to Europe, marked Sines as a distinct economy along the last 6 century’s. The recent investments – modern infrastructures in the industrial area, one of the biggest for business location, Sines port, large industrial projects and local strategy of modernization, qualification and projection – are a continued renewal of the regions entrepreneurial tradition.

Sines heritage is wide and abundant. Its Atlantic coast has a singular shape, landscape and biodiversity. The continued effort with nature preservation along with the industrial growth commitment have enabled the existence of natural, historical landscape heritage and industrial development.

The historical centre of Sines and Porto-Covo, preserved the original architecture, being an excellent exemple of human built heritage. The traditional railway station and the castle, as well as the Sines Art Center, all on the hearth of Sines, are places to visit.

Gastronomy, handicraft, traditional festivities, singular ethnographic characteristics and the renowned World Music Festival are major cultural aspects of life in Sines.