Overview
At 38°47' N, 9°30' W, Cabo da Roca is continental Europe's westernmost point, immortalized by 16th-century poet Camões: 'Where the land ends and the sea begins.' A 1772 lighthouse and cross monument stand atop 140m cliffs, where the endless Atlantic stretches to one side and the wildflowers of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park bloom to the other. The lighthouse is still in operation, and the visitor center issues a certificate of visit (about EUR 11-16) marking your arrival at Europe's westernmost edge. Watching the sun sink into the Atlantic at sunset is the most magical moment. Free entry. About 40 minutes by Bus 403 from Sintra station.
Opening Hours
24 hours (visitor center 09:00-19:30)
Travel Tips
Strong winds and sheer drops near the cliffs - stay behind the safety fences. A jacket is needed even in summer.
Hotels near Cabo da Roca
Hotels and guesthouses in Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Sintra-Cascais
Other attractions in Sintra
Pena Palace
A fairy-tale palace in red, yellow, and purple — one of Portugal's Seven Wonders.
Quinta da Regaleira
A Gothic mansion with mysterious underground tunnels and the famous Initiation Well.
Castle of the Moors
An 8th-century Moorish hilltop fortress with Great Wall-like ramparts to walk along.
Sintra National Palace
The medieval summer residence of Portuguese royalty, marked by two huge white conical chimneys.
Monserrate Palace
A 19th-century palace blending Moorish, Gothic, and Indian styles, set in a lush botanical garden.
Sintra Vila (Old Town)
Cobblestone streets centered on the Sintra National Palace, packed with patisseries and craft shops.
Praia das Maçãs
An Atlantic beach near Sintra, beloved for its natural pools and beach cafes.