{"id":17144,"date":"2019-08-05T12:03:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-05T12:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=3121"},"modified":"2022-02-28T16:16:28","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T16:16:28","slug":"day-trip-to-cabo-da-roca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/day-trip-to-cabo-da-roca\/","title":{"rendered":"Day Trip to Cabo da Roca: 6 Things You Shouldn\u2019t Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Planning a day trip to Cabo da Roca? Set on the edge of Sintra\u2019s National Park, this prominent cape offers spectacular sea views that you don\u2019t want to miss.<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Portugal has a long coast lined with beaches<\/a>, and in between them, you can find lots of cliffs jutting out into the Atlantic. Cabo da Roca is one of those places.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Breaking waves, rocky shores and windswept cliffs, Cabo da Roca ticks all the boxes, with one added bonus\u2014it\u2019s the westernmost point of mainland Europe. For a while, this was considered the end of the world, and you\u2019ll see why, as there\u2019s nothing but water for miles ahead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Whether you\u2019re coming from Lisbon via Sintra or Cascais, this guide will help you plan your day trip to Cabo da Roca and what to do once you get there.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Planning<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Photo Credit: Joana Taborda<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cabo da Roca: the end of the world<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Today everyone knows what lies beyond Europe, but that wasn\u2019t always the case for Portuguese explorers, who believed Cabo da Roca was the end of the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Who can blame them? Portugal stands on the edge of the Atlantic, so, in a way, this is the place where the land ends and the sea begins. These are the same words that the Portuguese poet Cam\u00f5es chose to describe Cabo da Roca\u2014\u201caqui…onde a terra se acaba…e o mar come\u00e7a<\/em>.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

While it\u2019s not the end of the world, it\u2019s still the last piece of mainland Europe, and it deserves a visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What to do in Cabo da Roca<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re wondering what to do on your day trip to Cabo da Roca, here are six things we recommend.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

1. Enjoy the ocean views<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Set over the Sintra mountains, Cabo da Roca is an incredible natural viewpoint. From here, you can capture the waves pounding against rugged cliffs and the little beaches tucked in between them. You can actually visit some of these beaches, but we\u2019ll get to that in a second. Before you leave Cabo da Roca, make sure to follow the trails along the clifftop so you can catch different perspectives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Insider\u2019s tip: <\/strong>The only downside of being this close to the Atlantic are the strong winds. Be careful while exploring and avoid standing too close to the edge!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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With a dramatic location just over the Atlantic, it’s easy to see why Cabo da Roca was once considered the end of the world. Photo credit: Joana Taborda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

2. Take in the Cabo da Roca Lighthouse<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Amid the green fields of Cabo da Roca, you\u2019ll find a colorful red and white lighthouse. Completed in 1772, it\u2019s one of the oldest lighthouses along the Portuguese coast. It stands 165 meters above sea level, and its light can be seen as far as 48 kilometers away. Currently, there are three faroleiros<\/em> (lighthouse keepers) responsible for assisting navigations between Cabo da Roca and Ericeira.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Insider\u2019s tip: <\/strong>There are occasional opportunities for visits to the lighthouse, but you need to check in advance with the N\u00facleo Museol\u00f3gico da Dire\u00e7\u00e3o de Far\u00f3is<\/a>\u200b. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

3. Read the Cabo da Roca poem<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Head to the left side of the headland, and stop to see the stone monument. Engraved on this stone is a short poem by the famous Portuguese writer Cam\u00f5es. It\u2019s written in Portuguese, but it translates as \u201chere…where the land ends and the sea begins…\u201d Besides the poem, the stone also includes Cabo da Roca\u2019s coordinates, its sea level altitude and the label of the most western point in the European continent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Keep your eyes peeled for this unassuming stone plaque, which offers deeper insight into just how incredible this place is. Photo credit: Joana Taborda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

4. Visit the tourist office<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To remember your trip to Cabo da Roca, you can get a souvenir at the tourist office. It\u2019s a handwritten certificate with your name stating that you were at the most western point in Europe. It costs \u20ac11, and there\u2019s also a Braille version for \u20ac4.50. Of course, you don\u2019t need to get the certificate, but it\u2019s still worth coming here if you want to ask for recommendations of things to see nearby or if you need help getting back to town.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

5. Explore the beaches around Cabo da Roca<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are a few hidden beaches near Cabo da Roca which you can reach on foot. To the left, there\u2019s Praia do Louri\u00e7al, and to the right, there\u2019s Praia da Ursa. Praia do Louri\u00e7al is a pebble beach, and you can access it via a walking trail from Cabo da Roca. The last stretch of the trail is very steep, so there\u2019s a rope to help you get down. The hike to Praia da Ursa<\/a> is also a bit challenging, but your reward is a secluded sandy stretch.

Insider\u2019s tip: <\/strong>Be careful when walking down the trails, and make sure you have adequate shoes for hiking!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

6. Take a hike around the Sintra Natural Park<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Located within the Sintra Natural Park, Cabo da Roca is a good starting\/ending point for a hike, if you want to make a day of it. We suggest walking from Sintra, so you can explore a few monuments in town and arrive at Cabo da Roca for sunset, then take the bus back. It takes around 4 hours to walk from Sintra to Cabo da Roca<\/a>, but you\u2019ll get to explore more of the region this way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Is Cabo da Roca worth it?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Yes! The views are incredible, and there are few places like this in the world. Plus, you have stunning beaches nearby and challenging nature trails. If you\u2019re planning to come to Cabo da Roca, we suggest combining your visit with a trip to Cascais or Sintra. The first one is a small seaside town, while Sintra is mostly famous for its palaces and historical attractions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Cabo da Roca is a beautiful place for a walk. Photo credit: Joana Taborda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to get to Cabo da Roca<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The best way to reach Cabo da Roca is by car. However, it\u2019s also possible to get public transportation or a taxi. Below are a few tips on how to travel from Lisbon, Sintra, or Cascais to Cabo da Roca:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n