Cabo da Roca - Europas västligaste punkt

Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point of Europe, located 30 km west of Lisbon. Cape Roca, as it is also known, was the end of the world for many before the 15th century - a place with magical views of the Atlantic coast. Take a trip to the end of the world at Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) and Europe's westernmost point, north of Cascais.

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The westernmost part of Portugal

The cape of Cabo da Roca is located in the far west of Portugal, not far from Cascais just north of Lisbon. This location makes it the westernmost point in Europe, but we start our story at Carcavelos beach, which is just east of Cascais.

The beach in Carcavelos

We started the day with an excursion to the beach in Carcavelos, just outside Lisbon. Some of the Bortugal family, whom we are visiting, went surfing and inline skating, while others of us simply enjoyed sitting in the warm sun. The beaches and cafes were very lively, and we can certainly understand the decision to swap the Swedish cold for this!

Have a look at Asa's blog Bortugal to read more about moving with your family to another country, and life on the surfing beaches of a small Portuguese village!

Fin strand i Carcavelos, Portugal — Nice beach in Carcavelos, Portugal

Portugal — The girls are already skilled surfers.

Before leaving the beach for new adventures, we enjoyed a lovely lunch in the sun. We ordered a large plate filled with grilled fish, prawns, mussels, potatoes and vegetables. Fantastic with a cold beer!

Cascais — Åsa, Jonna, Sverker, Peter and Frida are ready to have lunch at the beach.

Portugal i januari — We were served large platters of various grilled fish, prawns, mussels, potatoes and vegetables.

Läcker tallrik med mat från havet — Delicious food from the sea

READ MORE: Nazaré in Portugal - the city of the seven skirts
READ MORE: Lisbon in Portugal - 7 attractions in Lisbon

Cabo da Roca - Europe's most westerly point

In the afternoon we took a trip to the westernmost point of Europe, the Cabo da Roca headland. The coastline here is dramatic and it's powerful to stand at the edge and look out to the sea and the Atlantic coast. So what's here? Well, mostly nothing!

Cabo da Roca, also known as Cape Roca, has a lighthouse, a gift shop and a café. You can buy proof that you've been here for about £50 if you want to brag about it, and there's no entry to the cliff and headland.

There are high cliffs, great views and nice hiking trails. However, it's a bit sad that people don't respect the fences that are set up, but necessarily go even further out. Early last autumn, a Polish couple plunged to their death here, in front of their children, when they wanted to take a selfie as close to the edge as possible...

Udden Cabo da Roca - Europas västligaste punkt — Dramatic views from the cliffs

The Cabo da Roca lighthouse was the first lighthouse in Portugal and was completed in 1772, but its current form dates back to 1842. The lighthouse stands 140 metres above sea level and this height means that the 1000W light can be seen 46 km away. History says that there was a fort here at some point, but you can't see it today. Maybe you can see some remains if you walk around Cape Roca?

The Portuguese poet Luis Camoes (1524-1580) described the promontory of Cabo da Roca as the area 'where the land ends and the sea begins'. This text is inscribed on a stone monument with a cross on top at the westernmost point of Europe. The view of the Serra de Sintra and walking around here is exhilarating.

The winds on the Atlantic coast are always strong and you can feel it when you get here. Bringing an extra sweater isn't a bad idea, at least at this time of year! The plant life consists of low plants that can withstand the wind and salinity. For example, the Sour Fig is found here because it can withstand the wind and the climate.

Getting to Cabo da Roca

If you want to get to the end of the world, it's 30 km west of Lisbon or 15 km north of Cascais. Rent a car or take a bus tour, a trip you won't soon forget. The address is Estrada do Cabo da Roca s/n, 2705-001 Colares.

The world's outermost places

It's pretty cool to have been to two of the most extreme places in Europe because we've also been to Punta de Tarifa in Spain, which is the southernmost.

Northernmost location - Kinnarodden in Norway
Easternmost location - Komi Republic in Russia
Southernmost location - Punta de Tarifa in Spain
Westernmost location - Cape Roca in Portugal
Highest place - Mount Elbrus in Russia at 5642 metres above sea level.
Lowest place - The Caspian Sea at 28 metres above sea level.

Sintra

Cabo da Roca is located in Sintra where the Sintra Mountains, Sintra Town and Sintra Castle are also visible. Sintra is a 12th century town and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. We never actually visited the castle, which we regret. Don't miss it if you're in the neighbourhood!

Cascais

Finally, here are a few more photos we've taken in the neighbourhood over the past few days.

9 Comments

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Ladies Abroad says:

I'm guessing you already got the tip from the host couple, but don't miss Sintra when you're in the area. I LOVED all the castles in the area when I was there last spring.

Happy New Year from Lena

02 January 2015 - 8:46

Rolle o Carina says:

Looks absolutely wonderful, and what a blue sky!
Nice to meet nice bloggers and be invited!

Have fun and enjoy.......

02 January 2015 - 9:41

Deciree says:

Nice to be able to meet up with bloggers along the way. Nice to be able to stay and eat together. Jo heard about the tragedy. Poor children who got to see everything. One wonders how the poor children feel. Have a good time and take care of each other:)

02 January 2015 - 9:39

Ditte says:

How marvellous! And it is especially nice to sit outside, near the beach and eat and both see and hear the sea. Understand that you enjoy the sun, the company and good food.
It's nice to stay for a while because you're not really in a hurry...

02 January 2015 - 10:53

Steve says:

See, Cabo da Roca has also fascinated me, but that was 40 years ago.
I still remember Portugal's amazing fish dishes. I remember thinking that with such access to the delights of the sea, I could stop eating meat. However, it took many years before that thought was realised, and for completely different reasons.
Happy New Year and happy travelling.

02 January 2015 - 12:05

JoY says:

How nice you have it now with the sun and good food together with blog friends. Sorry about the accident but it doesn't matter how many prohibition signs there are, there are just as many who will cross them and tempt fate, unfortunately. Take care of yourselves.
Hugs and best wishes for 2015

02 January 2015 - 16:29

Ninni, Henrik och husbilen Knasen says:

Lovely, lovely!!! Yes, how tragic those who crashed, my goodness :-/ Take care, have a good time and enjoy a little for us too.

02 January 2015 - 20:09

Comment by post author

admin says:

Ladies Abroad, thanks for the tip! Yes, they have told us about Sintra, but now during the Christmas holidays there are so many tourists there... difficult to keep up with everything! Wishing good continuation of the year!

Deciree, oh yes, terrible to think about! Wishing you also a happy new year!

Rolle in Carina, we have been very well received! Very nice to experience Portugal in this way!

Ditte, it's nice not to be in a hurry!
🙂

Steve, there is good fish here, although we understand there are problems with depleted waters. Very good at the restaurant! Wishes good continuation of the year!

JoY, fantastic with the sun! Wishing you also a happy new year!

02 January 2015 - 20:12

Marie says:

So fun with newfound blog friends, especially when I follow & like both blogs so much! You seem to have a cosy time together. 🙂

03 January 2015 - 3:47

Cabo da Roca headland - Europe's westernmost point

The westernmost part of Portugal

The beach in Carcavelos

Cabo da Roca - Europe's most westerly point

Getting to Cabo da Roca

The world's outermost places

Sintra

Cascais

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9 Comments

Ladies Abroad says:

Rolle o Carina says:

Deciree says:

Ditte says:

Steve says:

JoY says:

Ninni, Henrik och husbilen Knasen says:

admin says:

Marie says:

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