Why Cape Roca, Portugal - here on a 140-meter cliff there is a lighthouse, marking the westernmost point of the Eurasian continent and here “the land ends and the sea begins.”
From beautiful Sintra we were on our way to Lisbon, where we had already booked an apartment. Having had a good breakfast in the morning, packed our bags, we left unusual place. The keys were left on the nightstand, and the door was simply slammed.
Sintra - Cape Roca.
The plans developed back home included a visit to Cape Roca, Cabo da Roca in Portuguese.
If you are in Sintra or driving towards Lisbon from Sintra and don't visit this iconic place is equivalent to “being near the water and not getting drunk.” Therefore, without hesitation, I drove our car there.
The road from Sintra to the cape is very picturesque, because our path ran through the Serra de Sintra - a narrow dangerous road with sharp turns, passing through a dense forest, through orchards and vineyards, and through a valley. The distance was not great, only 18 kilometers, but it flew by quickly.
Cape Roca on the map.
Cape Rock.
The signs had already told us where to go for a long time. Next to the lighthouse there is a large free parking lot guarded by police. There are also several tourist buses nearby.
All paths lead to the memorial cross, which is the starting point.
The westernmost point of Europe.
Attached to the monument is a plaque indicating the GPS coordinates of the cape with the words of the Portuguese poet Luis Camões - “This is the place where the land ends and the sea begins.”
There is also an engraved reminder on the stone that you are at the westernmost tip of Europe - just in case you suddenly forget why you were going.
Here I advise you to listen to the words of the poet about the fact that the earth ends, because behind these flimsy wooden railings there is an abyss up to 140 meters high.
Photo Cape Roca.
Unfortunately, the Polish family did not listen to these words. During their photo shoot on August 9, 2014, they climbed over the fence and, unable to stay on the edge of the precipice, fell down. All this happened in front of their two small children.
The cape has many terrible secrets. And this is not the first tragedy associated with a photo shoot on it. A young Mexican decided to photograph himself for social networks against the backdrop of the cape with a pistol in his hands, but did not take into account that the pistol was loaded.
There are also legends around the cape. One by one, a child disappeared in a village not far from the cape. The grief-stricken mother lost all hope, thinking that the boy had fallen off a cliff. After several days of searching, the boy was found alive on the ocean shore in a cave. When asked how the boy escaped, he replied that when he was falling from a cliff, some woman picked him up and carried him into the cave. For several days this woman went to him and brought him food. To praise God, the villagers gathered in the church. And then, lo and behold, the boy in the image of the Virgin Mary recognized this woman. According to legend, this cave is located somewhere here.
From the ocean side (water excursions are constantly taking place along the coast), 150 meters from the shore there is a stunning view of the cape (according to eyewitnesses). It’s difficult for us to judge this, but one thing is that the Romans called the cape “Great”, and the sailors of the times geographical discoveries- “Lisbon”, makes this cape special.
Historical records indicate that as early as the 16th century there was a fort on this site, which served as an important defensive bridgehead on the approach to Lisbon. All that remains of the fort is the lighthouse, which still serves as a landmark for the transportation of goods in this area.
It was very hot and the weather was not conducive to a long walk. We turned back to the parking lot.
On the territory of the cape there is a restaurant, a souvenir shop and an information center, where for those who like all sorts of things there, you can get a certificate with a real seal as proof of visiting the cape (I don’t remember the exact price, around 15 euros). We were content with our photos as evidence.)))
Cape Roca (Portugal) is the westernmost point of Eurasia. This place is covered in legends about courageous sailors who, during the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, left the Portuguese rocky shores in the hope of reaching the New World and discovering previously unexplored continents. We invite you to take a trip to the ends of the world!
General information
Cape Roca (in Portuguese sounds like Cabo da Roca) is located 18 km from the city of Sintra - in the Sintra-Cascais National Park. For my centuries-old history this place changed its name several times, but most often it was called Cape Lisbon, since it is located 40 km from the capital of the country. Also, the Portuguese Cape Roca is known as “the end of the Earth”.
For many centuries, the cape and its surrounding cities have been symbols of travelers and traders who set off on long voyages. However, the year 1755 came, and the earthquake, which went down in history as the Great Lisbon, destroyed most of Portugal, including buildings near the cape. Prime Minister Marquis de Pombal, who was in charge of the restoration work at that time, ordered the construction of west coast 4 lighthouses, since 2 old ones (at the monastery of St. Francis and about north coast Porto) did not cope with their task.
One of the first (in 1772) to be built was the famous lighthouse of Cabo da Roca, located on the cape. It reaches a height of 22 meters and rises above sea level by 143 m.
At night, thanks to special prisms, the light of the lighthouse was visible from many tens of kilometers away and all sailors immediately recognized this structure - the light of the lamps was almost white, while in other lighthouses it was more yellow. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the lighthouse lamps were oil-based, and then became electric, the power of which today is 3000 W.
As before, there is a caretaker at the lighthouse who monitors the operation of light mechanisms and other equipment. There are 52 lighthouses in Portugal, but only four have keepers: Aveiro, the Berlengas archipelago and Santa Marte. An interesting fact is that all structures of this kind in Portugal are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry navy, which means everyone who works for them is a government employee.
Today, Cabo da Roca is a popular tourist place, which invariably attracts travelers from all over the world. Most foreign visitors come here in July and August. By the way, the Cabo da Roca lighthouse is ready to receive tourists for free, from 14 to 17 hours.
How to get to the cape from Lisbon
The transport network in Portugal is very well developed, so you can get from Lisbon to Cape Roca at almost any time of the day. There are two most popular routes.
The journey must begin from the Cais de Sodre station in Lisbon, where the eponymous Train Station. From here, trains and electric trains depart every 30 minutes to the city of Cascais (you need to take any of them and get off at the final station of the route).
Next, go to the nearest bus stop (go down the only underground passage and exit on the other side), and take the 403 bus going to Sintra. You need to get to the Cabo da Roca stop (this is exactly half of the bus route). This is the end of the journey! You have traveled from Lisbon to Cape Roca.
The ticket price will be 5.5 €. And the travel time will be 1 hour 15 minutes.
There is a second, easier way to get to the Portuguese Cape Roca from Lisbon. However, this option will cost a little more.
At any Lisbon kiosk or tourist office you can purchase the Ask me Lisboa card, which includes free admission to the most famous attractions in and around the Portuguese capital. This card will eliminate the need to book anything and stand in long lines. However, it has a significant disadvantage - you will be forced to follow a schedule and will not be able to spend much time in Cabo Roca.
Cape Roca (Sintra, Portugal) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
- Last minute tours to Portugal
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Cape Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, is under the jurisdiction of Portugal. The nearest city is Lisbon, 40 km away. Cape Roca changed its name several times, its second known name is Cape Lisbon. The Portuguese poet Luis Camões described this place as follows: “This is the place where the land ends and the sea begins.”
Cape Roca is the ideal place to admire an amazingly beautiful sunset when the sun sets directly into the Atlantic Ocean, coloring the water surface in unimaginable colors and shades.
Cape Roca is an extremely popular tourist destination. Travelers from all over the world visiting Portugal do not ignore it. The largest influx of tourists is observed at the end of summer, while the smallest number of clicking camera shutters and enthusiastically sighing visitors is observed in the depths of winter - the windswept cape in the cold season becomes a test not for the frail and sickly.
How to get there
Trains run from Lisbon every 20 minutes to Sintra - it's worth making a short stop there and walking around the city. Then you need to return to the railway station and take bus number 403 to Cape Roca.
Weather
It's always windy at Cape Roca. Don't risk your life for memorable photos. The fences are quite flimsy, and the wind is so strong that a sharp gust can easily blow a person into the abyss. It is worth keeping in mind that the wind speed and its direction are constantly changing; a gentle breeze can turn into a squally wind in one second.
Attractions and infrastructure
The main attraction on the cape, besides the stunning view, of course, is the picturesque lighthouse. It is the most impressive sight in complete darkness, but bad luck - nothing else is visible and one can only imagine the power of the ocean raging behind the parapet by the way it makes noise - dull and grumbling.
Mounted on the cape, a stele topped with a cross is equipped with a sign reminding that this is the westernmost point of Europe.
Among the tourist infrastructure on the cape you can find a cafe, a souvenir shop, and there is also a hotel nearby. The latter, in the high season, is popular among tourists who come here to admire the amazingly beautiful sunset, when the sun sets directly into the Atlantic Ocean, coloring the water surface in unimaginable tones and shades.
Also not far from the cape there is rocky beach, to which there is a steep descent with winding paths. In rainy weather, such a walk is fraught with trouble.
Visiting is free, from October 1 to April 30 - from 09.00 to 18:30, from May 1 to September 30 - from 09.00 to 19:30. Weekends: Christmas and New Year.
Perhaps I would call Portugal a country of dreamers. From here brave sailors set off on long voyages to uncharted lands. Including across the Atlantic Ocean, the best view of which is from Cabo da Roca. It may not be the end of the earth, but it certainly remains the westernmost point of continental Europe. Crowds of tourists flock here at any time of the year. This place attracts me with its picturesque rocks and views of the endless ocean. It seems that a little more, and wings will appear behind your back that will take you to the coast of the New World. I propose to overcome the difficult path from Sintra and end up on the romantic cape of Cabo da Roca.
What to see
The cape rises above the waters of the Atlantic Ocean where the Serra de Sintra plateau ends. This place is part national park Sintra - and is located just 42 kilometers from Lisbon. Over the years, it has inspired visitors and locals, including the famous Portuguese poet Luis de Camões, who dedicated several lines to the cape in The Lusiads. Once here, you will see that almost the entire slope is covered with bizarre plants that once got here and supplanted the local flora. This green lawn of carpobrotus is, in my opinion, one of business cards Cabo da Roca.
Lighthouse of Cabo da Roca
In the second half of the 18th century, Portugal was actively recovering from a devastating earthquake. At the same time, the Marquis de Pombal gave the order to build a lighthouse on the spot where there was an excellent view of the waterways. He became the third on the west coast - the other two (in and on Cape San Vicente) were no longer coping with their task. The Cabo da Roca lighthouse, built in 1768, rises 165 meters above sea level.
It began to function a little later, but still remains one of the oldest in western Portugal. After reconstruction at the end of the 19th century, the lighthouse was electrified. From a 25-meter-high tower, a powerful searchlight beam is directed into the sea, warning sailors about the danger of approaching inaccessible rocks. The lighthouse is open for tourists every Wednesday from 14:00 to 17:00, admission is free.
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Padran
In addition to the lighthouse, there is a stone stele - padran - installed on the cape. The tradition of installing padrans goes back many centuries, when Portugal was the greatest shipping power, and exploratory expeditions sailed from its shores to search for and develop new lands. Leaving new lands, the Portuguese erected a stele there - of course, in the most prominent place. On the symbolic padran of Cabo da Roca you can see a sign with the coordinates of the cape, as well as read the words from the poem of the above-mentioned Camões.
Beaches
Praia da Aroeira and Praia da Ursa
When the lighthouse is open to tourists, it is usually crowded. Therefore, if you have time and energy, I advise you to pay attention to the path that goes beyond it.
Along it you can walk to the beaches closest to the cape: Praia da Aroeira and Praia da Ursa. It's just over a kilometer long. From the height of the cliff there is a magnificent view of them. However, keep in mind that the descent to the beaches is not easy and is aimed at experienced tourists, there are still rocks - and be extremely careful. Both beaches are wild and are designed for access by water.
Praia da Adraga
The northern and inhabited beach of Praia da Adraga has become very popular for water sportsmen. On the road via Estrada do Cabo da Roca, the distance to it is 4.5 km. Nonsense if you came by car. For athletes, there is the Casa da Adraga guest house and restaurant, open from 12:30 to 22:30.
How to get there
- Not far from railway station Bus number 403 stops in Sintra and will take you to your destination. You will find the schedule on this website. The bus leaves every hour from 9:00 am to 19:40 pm. Travel time is 36 minutes, one-way ticket costs 4.15 EUR. Below you will see the bus schedule, which can also be viewed on the official website of the ScottURB carrier company.
- You can take the same bus in Cascais. Stop at shopping center called Av. Costa Pinto - Terminal de Cascais, which is an 8-minute walk from the train station. Driving from here takes only 24 minutes and costs 3.30 EUR one way. The bus leaves every 30 minutes from 8:40 am to 20:40 pm.
- The route does not operate that often, so it makes sense to think about renting a car. Read where to rent a car in Sintra. From Sintra it is better to take the N247 highway. The fastest way to get from Cascais is along the N9-1 highway. However, the N247 road, although it takes longer, is recognized as one of the most picturesque in Europe. There are several rental points in Cascais: Budget Rent a Car (R. Dra. Iracy Doyle 6A), Europcar Cascais (Av. Marginal), Transrent (Av. Marginal). The cost depends on the date and type of car, but usually starts from 12 EUR per day. You can compare prices from different rental companies. GPS coordinates for the navigator: N 38°46ʹ51ʺ, W 9°30ʹ2ʺ.
Good to know
- The Cape Tourist Office is open from 1 October to 30 April from 9:00 to 18:30. From May 1 to September 30 - from 9:00 to 19:30.
- You can admire nature here completely free of charge. The same as parking a car. Therefore, motorists will not be limited by the inconvenient bus schedule and will be able to enjoy the sunset here or even admire the stars and the bright light of the lighthouse at night. The closest hotels to Cape Roca are located in the neighboring town of Ulgeira.
- In addition to the beautiful view, there is a souvenir shop and a small restaurant. Here you can buy a certificate of visiting the westernmost point of Europe and various souvenirs. However, not far from the cape, in the village of Azoia, there is a shop called Azoiarte, offering decorative lighthouses of various shapes and sizes.
- There are several fenced paths along the headland, but most of the rocky cliff is open. I strongly recommend not to look for thrills and to be extremely careful, as the rock tends to crumble.
- To visit the cape, wear extremely comfortable shoes. Believe me, there is nothing to do here in heels.
Finally
To summarize all of the above, I would like to note that Cabo da Roca is mandatory place to visit in Portugal. If you're staying in Lisbon, it won't take long to get here by train, and if you're spending a nice few days in Sintra, it's even closer. Having arrived in Sintra from Lisbon early in the morning by train, I managed to visit the cape and then go to. The impressions are unforgettable!
Cabo da Roca is a place of power, here you feel like a small grain of sand before the power of the elements. The salty wind in your face and the intoxicating sound of the ocean are the best ingredients for a cocktail called Cape Rock.
Desert cliff towering above Atlantic Ocean at 140 meters. The ocean, as if trying to hug the rocks, the golden light dissipates through the damp haze and gently flows along the ground. "Aqui, onde a terra se acaba e o mar começa"“Here the land ends and the sea begins,” said Camões. A place where every self-respecting traveler should visit.
There is a lighthouse on the rock of Cabo da Roca, next to which there is a tourist office where you can obtain a certificate of authenticity. The calligrapher will carefully write your name on paper with a fountain pen and put the date so that you will forever remember this day at the westernmost point of Europe. You can also buy and send a postcard there.
The cost of the certificate is 11 euros.
For entertainment, there is also a restaurant with a cinematic view, where you can warm up and drink coffee or port wine.
Pay attention to the lighthouse. During the Age of Discovery, Cape Rock, along with Berlengas and cape Espichel served as guides for navigators.
In the waters of the Sintra coast, there are several large underwater rocks, these waters posed a great danger, especially at night. Many ships have been wrecked here.
For example, on November 2, 1636, a ship sank near Cape Roca Santa Catarina de Ribamar coming from India. There were 470 passengers on board.
The lighthouse on Cabo da Roca appeared in 1772. It is currently the second oldest lighthouse on the Portuguese coast.
The stone stele, which is crowned with a cross, reminds forgetful tourists that they are on the westernmost point of the European continent. Usually someone takes a photo next to her as a souvenir.
Here, standing on the edge of Europe, you can’t help but feel all the courage of the Portuguese navigators, who, without modern navigation systems, set off towards an unknown world. Sometimes it seems that you will fly just a little longer.
We may be exaggerating the strength of the wind. But calm in Cabo da Roca is quite a rare occurrence. It's usually a cold Atlantic wind, so bring a windbreaker or something warm, even in the summer. To comfortably enjoy the views and think about the eternal.
Despite all its beauty, Cabo da Roca is a rather treacherous place. In 2014, a tragic incident occurred here: in pursuit of the best selfie, a Polish couple fell off a cliff straight into the raging ocean. The tragedy was witnessed by their children, five and six years old, who were instantly orphaned. So be careful, the views there are, of course, incredible, but don’t lose your head and don’t go beyond the fence.
And lastly, if you are pressed for time, come here at sunset. Grab a bottle of port, fresh bread, cheese, prezunto. Sit comfortably on one of the hills and watch the sun disappear behind the ocean and paint the waters with golden colors.
If the buses no longer run, you can use a transfer from Sintra, Cascais or Lisbon. This will also be convenient for travelers with children. They will pick you up, wait as long as necessary and take you back. On this page, select the city from which you will be traveling, and write Cape Roca as your destination.
Another option to visit this place is book our excursion to Cape Roca from Lisbon. This way you will not only comfortably visit the westernmost point of Europe, but also see other interesting places, and also listen to interesting stories.
