What a tandem paragliding tour above Sesimbra looks like
A tandem paragliding flight means you fly with a qualified pilot — Behrooz is in the harness behind you, doing all the flying, while you sit in front and experience paragliding from the best possible seat. No training, no course, no licence needed. A brief on the ground, then the sky.
Flights take off from the coastal cliffs above Sesimbra — one of the most reliable soaring sites on the Portuguese Atlantic coast. Depending on conditions, you'll glide out over the coastline with the Atlantic below and the Arrábida hills behind you. The fishing harbour, white-sand beaches, and open ocean stretch out beneath you. It is a very quiet experience.
Tandem flights are open to everyone — no previous experience and no specific fitness level required. Families travelling with a pilot, solo visitors wanting to experience paragliding, couples, children, and older travellers all fly regularly with Behrooz. If you've ever looked up at a paraglider and wondered what it feels like, this is the cleanest possible answer.
Flights run for 20, 40 or 60 minutes. A 20-minute flight covers the cliffs and coastline and gives a clear sense of what paragliding is. A 40-minute flight gives time to work the ridge, gain altitude, and take in the wider coast. At 60 minutes you settle into the air properly — there's time to relax, look around, and understand why pilots come back here every day. You can extend any flight in 20-minute blocks at €30 each, subject to conditions on the day.
Flights launch from the cliffs above the Arrábida Natural Park — a protected limestone reserve rising above the Atlantic at the tip of the Setúbal Peninsula, 35 kilometres south of Lisbon. The combination of reliable laminar coastal wind, dramatic cliff scenery and a consistently clear Atlantic horizon makes this one of the most visually striking tandem paragliding sites in Europe. No experience is needed and no training is required. Behrooz handles the wing, the routing and the landing. You look at the ocean.
What's included
- Pre-flight safety briefing & kit fitting
- Harness, helmet & reserve — all provided
- Behrooz as your tandem pilot throughout
- Atlantic coast views from above Sesimbra
- Photos & video of your flight
- Private transfer to the launch site
- Post-flight debrief — what you experienced
- Choice of 20, 40 or 60-minute duration
- Free reschedule if conditions change
- Direct contact with Behrooz — no agencies
Before you come
No experience needed — but a few practical things to know before your flight day.
Weight limit
Maximum passenger weight is 100 kg. If you're close to the limit or have any concerns, message Behrooz before booking — he'll give you a straight answer.
What to wear
Comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes — trainers are ideal. A light windproof layer is useful regardless of air temperature. Avoid flip-flops, sandals or anything that could come off on launch.
Health considerations
Tandem paragliding is suitable for most people. If you have a heart condition, recent surgery, severe vertigo, or are pregnant, check with your doctor first and let Behrooz know when you book.
Booking your date
Flights depend on wind conditions — Behrooz confirms the morning of your flight day. Keep the full day flexible so a morning postponement doesn't mean missing your flight entirely. Most flights run as planned.
Children flying
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and be old enough to follow basic safety instructions. Behrooz has flown children as young as six — if you're unsure, message him first.
Getting to Sesimbra
Sesimbra is 45 minutes from Lisbon. Private transfer from your accommodation is included — Behrooz picks you up directly. No car hire or local navigation needed.
Is there a weight or age limit for tandem paragliding in Portugal?
Standard tandem paragliding guidelines apply — maximum passenger weight is 100 kg and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There's no upper age limit. Behrooz has flown passengers in their seventies and children as young as six. If you have specific mobility or health concerns, message him before booking — he'll give you an honest answer.
What should I wear for a tandem paragliding flight above Sesimbra?
Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting grass or sand on, and closed-toe shoes — trainers are ideal. A light windproof jacket is useful regardless of air temperature. Behrooz provides the harness, helmet and full safety equipment. Avoid flip-flops, sandals or anything that could come off on launch.
How long does the whole tandem paragliding experience take?
Allow 2–3 hours for the full experience, including transfer to the launch site, pre-flight briefing, the flight itself, and return transfer. The flight is 20, 40 or 60 minutes depending on which option you've chosen. If conditions are particularly good on the day, Behrooz may offer to extend your flight at the standard +€30 per 20-minute block.
Do I need any experience, fitness or preparation?
None at all. Tandem paragliding requires no prior experience, no training and no specific fitness level. The only physical requirement is the ability to take a few running steps on launch — Behrooz will walk you through exactly what to do before you leave the ground. Everything else is handled.
Where do we take off and land, and is transport included?
Flights launch from the Arrábida cliffs or the Sesimbra coastal sites — among the most scenic launch points in Europe. Private transfer from your accommodation to the launch and back is included. You don't need a car or any local knowledge. Behrooz handles all the logistics from the moment he picks you up.
Will photos or video be taken during the flight?
Yes — Behrooz photographs and films every tandem flight. Images and footage are shared with you digitally after the flight at no additional charge. The Arrábida coastline from the air is genuinely worth capturing.
How does payment work?
Payment is made directly to Behrooz — no booking platforms, no agencies, no middlemen. No deposit is required to reserve your place; a WhatsApp message or email locks it in. Payment details are sent once your reservation is confirmed.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation on your tandem flight. If you've already paid, cancellation is free of charge in full — nothing is deducted. Just send a WhatsApp message or email and Behrooz will take care of it personally.
What if the weather isn't good on my flight day?
Behrooz knows every flying site in Portugal, so if conditions rule out the usual coastal launch, we simply move to wherever is flyable that day — the flight adapts to the wind, not the other way round. On the rare day nothing is flyable at all, we'll reschedule at no extra cost, or refund you in full if a new date doesn't work.