A blustery visit to Cabo da Roca
Whilst researching our break in Portugal I made a list of all the things we wanted to see and do.
One of those things was to visit Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for the colourful Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, Palacio Quinta da Regaleira and Monserrate Palace and about a half an hour taxi ride from where we were staying at in Cacais.
With the focus on the stunning historical palaces, it is easy to miss that the most western point of mainland Europe lies within the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, so I made sure that a visit to Cabo da Roca was on our itinerary.
Although there are organised tours to Cabo da Roca and Sintra running from Lisbon, we arranged a taxi with Martinhal Cacais to take us to Sintra via Cabo da Roca which cost us €50. The journey took 25 minutes from the hotel and our driver was fantastic, showing us points of interest along the way.
Cabo Da Roca is set on a cliff top 150 metres above the sea and despite being 16°C that day, the wind was howling in from the Atlantic, making it feel very chilly.
The headland itself is marked by a stone monument with a cross on the top. The inscription, on the side of the monument, is a quote from the famous Portuguese poet Luis Camoes (1524–1580) who aptly described the area as “Where the land ends and the sea begins“.
What Cabo da Roca does offer, are panoramic views over the Serra de Sintra and the coast, which makes it well worth the visit. The main headland area has concrete pathways but the coastal pathways are dusty and rocky to walk on so no good for pushchairs if you fancy tackling them.
That said, Cabo da Roca is a wild and rugged headland, which is perfect for exploring. If you have time to spare, the coastal paths offer a challenging walk, but the views are more than worth it.
Cabo da Roca is almost completely unspoilt by development, with just a carpark, small gift shop, a cafe and the lighthouse.
The lighthouse was the first purpose-built lighthouse in Portugal and was completed in 1772 but its present form originates from 1842. The lighthouse stands 150m above the ocean, with its light being able to be seen up to staggering 46km away!
Cabo da Roca is a very popular location for tourist visits, although it is best combined with a visit to Sintra itself as you don’t spend anymore than an hour there, unless you decide to tackle one of the coastal paths.
The constant strong winds coming off the Atlantic means that all plant life is low-lying and able to grow under the high saline conditions. The boys had great fun charging around, looking at all the different colours.
If you are visiting Lisbon, Cacais or Sintra for a holiday, then I strongly recommend a visit to Cabo da Roca, the views are spectacular.
Have you visited Cabo da Roca?
Coombe Mill
This really does look like a magnificient place to explore with the family, the views are beautiful. The boys look in their element running around spotting the different plants around, cliff walks always manage to encourage a burst of energy as they get exploring don’t they? It’s great that it’s undeveloped too, with the lighthouse there it looks like it could be straight from a book.
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids.
Sarah Bailey
Oh wow what an amazing looking place this looks like to explore, even if it was a bit blustery it seems like you made the most of your time and go to see some really beautiful sites.
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog
That stone monument is very impressive and we love the rugged views you captured! Looks like you had an amazing time away x #CountryKids
Ana
Like much of Portugal Cabo do roca is beautiful unspoilt coastal land that is rugged and wild like true nature should be. Your photos are absolutely stunning.
Harriet from Toby & Roo
Oohh it looks like the best fun, I want to go now! H 🙂
lisa prince
wow what stunning views there are here such a wonder to visit im very jealous
Danielle
What stunning scenery. That coast line looks beautiful, even if it was very windy.
Patrick
Never visited Cabo de Roca but it looks pretty historically important enough to consider it if I ever get a chance to travel…your pictures are wonderful.
Rhian Westbury
Looks like a great destination and to be honest I’d have done the same as you and paid the extra for the taxi as it’s so much more convenient x
Merlinda Little
I agree that that path looks hard but yes the views are just gorgeous! An amazing landscape to see with the kids. #countrykids
Sonia Cave
What a beautiful place to explore and amazing scenery with those views. definitely my kind of outing
Mayah Camara
Nothing like spending some time away with great company. Sounds like you had a fab time! Some great photos here!
Kare
What amazing views this place looks great
Jess Howliston
I have never been but it looks absolutely beautiful! The views from the top look amazing and I bet they are even more breath taking in person!
Mellissa Williams
What amazing views. This looks like a lovely place to explore with the family
Yeah Lifestyle
No I have not visited the place but If I go to Portugal this will be one of the places which I visit.
Kate
What lovely views! It definitely looks like a baby carrier would be better here than a stroller, I’ll keep that in mind in case we ever make the trip. The views are just spectacular, even on a chilly day!
Shiju Sugunan
Beautiful views and happy faces. Love it!
Claire
I have never been here before. I would love to visit. It looks like a great place to visit and the view look stunning 🙂
kirsty
I love the inscription of where the land and sea begins as you can really see that from your photos. I really love the colours in the flowers as well. It’s all so picture perfect and I would love to visit if I got the chance.
fashionandstylepolice
This place looks amazing. I am loving the beautiful views.
Lilinha
I’ve never been to Portugal before but would love to. It seems like a lovely place and I’m sure we would enjoy it!
Lynne Harper
What a stunning location to visit, the cliffs are magnificent. Ihave never been to Portugal my mum has and she always speaks very highly of her visits and the large amount of thing to do and see x
Lucy Dorrington
I visited here when I was little, and I still remember how cold it was. There was a lady right at the top selling woolly jumpers, and she was doing a roaring trade!
Joanna
I haven’t visited Cabo da Roca but I do remember how I first heard about it, when a friend of mine went there a few years ago and showed me the photos. The place looks spectacular, with those high cliffs and the ocean underneath them.
Newcastle Family Life
I had never heard of Cabo da roca before, It looks like an interesting day out x
Cath - BattleMum
Despite living in Portugal for nearly 10 months we’ve yet to venture to that part of the country. But Sintra is on our to-do list so I’ll be adding Cabo da Roca to it too.
Kira
Never heard of it before but it looks beautiful! 🙂
Nichola - Globalmouse
What a wonderful trip. I’ve been to Cabo de St Vincent in Portugal and loved it so would love to visit, especially because this was the first. It does look a little chilly but very beautiful.
Melanie williams
How beautiful is this place! The Cabo da Roca looks lovely and I love how untouched it looks and not over developed x
Jen
Such beautiful scenery, it looks amazing. Sometimes it is worth it to get blown away when the view is as fab as that.
Stephanie
That does look lovely, I love how it is it so rough and rugged too. Your daughter looks cute in her oversized jumper keeping warm!
Tanya
I love that it’s unspoilt by development, it’s such a shame when companies take over a historical landmark or beautiful surroundings with unnecessary developments to boost tourism. Looks like a lovely and calming place to visit
Lauretta at Home and Horizon
Lovely photos! I’m just fall in love with photos that has a a sea or beach background. It’s just so calming.
Super Busy Mum
What a beautiful place to visit – gorgeous photos captured, too!
Angela Ricardo Bethea
oh! It looks like you really had a great time in Cabo da Roca. It seems that Cabo da Roca looks a pretty awesome place to visit with kids.