Being visiting Portugal and Lisboa area for the first time in my life. what a journey, that also made it possible to explorer the most Western part of Europe mainland: Cabo da Roca. Like the west coast of Scotland, Ireland or Tenerife, the Atlantic ocean and soil are very similar, apart from here, are on a good day quite a bit of Asian tourists doing their good experiences and photos for their scrap book 🤳
Cabo da Roca, which also have a lighthouse 142 MSL are a very windy place, and got hammered by huge static waves every day. I experienced this once at the Tenerife Island, where you might feel calm and cosy, suddenly a the ocean raises like a mini tsunami and turn everything into an inferno of rocks and water and you risk to be dragged out into the sea for good if you don’t take care, respecting the water and keep safe.
The Atlantic Sea are principal of the weather here, and like Iceland or Faroese Island, and mostly Scotland, the weather changes several times per hour. Be prepared for sunshine, fog, heavy rain, hard wind, complete silence and calm spring weather, on go with the right clothing and sun protecting, and to stay on the official paths only. There are a very good reasons that the authorities write: Stay away from the cliff side! 🚧
Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
One part of the natural park are the light house. If you have the opportunity, you should stay a while and get inspired. You may read more here: https://natural.pt It is earthquake area by the way so don’t get surprised if the earth shakes.
Travelling from Lisboa to the Cabo da Roca Lighthouse are a one day expedition, at least.
I used two hours in a commuter train and bus, half a day after travelling 2.550 km from Denmark, and enjoyed the surrounds and atmosphere, then about three hours going back along the coastline in Lisbon west-side Cais de Cas.
If you want to visit this magnificent location find it here: https://www.openstreetmap.org/?#map=19/38.781812/-9.497624
Wear practical shoes or light hike boots, zip of trousers, hat with sun protection, and waterproof jacket of Gore-Tex or similar.
Package list
for travellers, scouts and other who wants be prepared:
Waterproof day trip rucksack with:
- water, sufficient!
- first aid kit
- analogue compass
- emergency sandwich
- piece of chocolate, just pimping your up
- printed map over the area
- small knife
- emergency sandwich
- piece of chocolate
- whistle
- sun tan protection cream ( creme solar)
- warm water proof clothing,
- extra socks
- power bank for your gadgets
- money in cash (Euros)
- plus everything you need for your pet and family.
The White Wall
You might risk too meet the “white wall” which is a meteoritical phenomenon of nature, that is heavy rain passing over the landscape. Expect less than 10 min to get shelter and become waterproof if its approaches.
Photos and videos of Cabo da Roca
Hot to get to Cabo da Roca Lighthouse and viewpoint
Either by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or public transportation 🚌. I went with the commuter train from ENTRECAMPOS STATION to SINTRAS, and exchanged for the minibus route 1253. At the Sintra train station, turn right to the NORTH follow Rua Doutor Alfredo da Costa app. 200m.
From the LISBON the travelling times are typical 1 hour car, train and bus 2 hours, walking 10 hours, bicycle 4 hours. Distance in open air are approximately 31 km. Lots of hills and mountain ride take time.
For public transportation using this link might help you: https://www.carris.pt/en/travel/planear-viagem/
Note: Sundays are chilling day, expect very few buses, but half of the citizen of Lisboa in Sintra and same area. Might be very crowded.
Facts
• Address: Cabo da Roca Lighthouse, Estrada do Cabo da Roca, Colares, Sintra, Lisbon, 2705-001, Portugal
• Mean Sea Level: 142 metre above the Atlantic Sea.
• Location NEMA: 38.781864, -9.497284, like Google Maps or OpenStreetMap
• Location UTM WGS84: 29s 456812 429268, for humans and real GNSS.
• WikiFacts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabo_da_Roca
• You need cash (coins in Euros) for the use of the toilet. No credit nor ATM in the neighbourhoods.
• Don’t expect anything as shops are actually open. Nearest shop are several kilometres away. On the map its look short distance but the hills makes lot of walking or driving. Prepare from home.
• Handicap friendly: Yes, prepared paths will make it a good day. Ask bus drivers for help to get in and out the bus.
• Pet Friendly: yes. Take your dogs belongings with you.
Funfacts
The minibuses are practical as replacements for the donkeypath 🫏 from Sintras to Cabo da RocaLighthouse.
You are free to use these photos on your private phone as long its not commercial, governmental or similar pro use.
Happy Visting 🙂