Description of the attraction
Cape Roca is considered the westernmost point of Portugal and mainland Europe (and, by definition, the Eurasian continent). Cape Roca is located in the municipality of Sintra and is also considered the westernmost point of the low coastal mountains of the Serra de Sintra.
For the ancient Romans, Cape Roca was known as Promontorium Magnum, which means "Great Cape". And during the era of the Great Geographic, the open cape was called the Cape of Lisbon.
The cape is located in the Sintra-Cascais National Park, not far from the city of Sintra. The coordinates of the location of the cape are carved on a stone slab, which is attached to the monument installed on its territory. Also on this plate, in addition to the coordinates, the words of the famous Portuguese poet of the 16th century Luis de Camões, who described Cape Roca as the place “where the land ends and the sea begins”, are inscribed.
The west coast of Portugal has many sandy beaches and rocky and steep ledges. Cape Roca is surrounded by steep slopes, the height of which sometimes reaches more than 100 meters. The cape also got its name because of the steep cliffs and sharp rocks, so it is extremely dangerous to go down to the ocean - the paths are very steep. There is little vegetation on the cape. There is always a strong wind and therefore the vegetation at Cape Roca is not high. Most of the land of the cape, which is suitable for cultivation, is covered by the aggressive weed carpobrotus edible. Migratory and seabirds can be seen on the rocks. The old lighthouse is also noteworthy.
There are restaurants and a shop on the cape where you can buy souvenirs.
On a note
- Location: Estrada do Cabo da Roca, Colares.
- How to get there: bus number 403 from Cascais or Sintra.
