If you’re planning to visit Lisbon for a few days, make sure to set aside at least one day for beautiful Sintra. With stunning palaces, amazing gardens, and fascinating museums, Sintra should be on your itinerary.
While most tourists visit Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, and Quinta de Regaleira, few venture a little further to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe.
In this blog post, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know about Cabo da Roca. We’ll start with a few interesting facts about this place and then we’ll talk about how to get there and what you can visit.
1. Interesting facts about Cabo da Roca
Once you get to Cabo da Roca, it feels like you’ve reached the end of the world. Take a moment to enjoy the views. Admire the sea from the edge of the tall cliffs, and enjoy being at the westernmost point of Europe.
Go to the lighthouse, visit the nearby beaches, and enjoy a magical sunset. This place is so isolated and wild.
The cliffs you’ll find here stand over 100 meters tall above the Atlantic Ocean. At their base you’ll find beautiful beaches and from time to time small rocky islands emerge from the ocean. To say that the views are breathtaking would be an understatement.
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Warning: The cliffs are slippery. When searching for viewpoints, don’t get too close to the edge.
The wind is very strong at Cabo da Roca. Even if you’re visiting during the summer, I recommend bringing some warm clothes with you.
2. How to get from Sintra to Cabo da Roca
You can easily get from Lisbon to Sintra by train. The trains run every 30 minutes, starting from Rossio Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes and a round-trip ticket costs €4.50.
-> 25 FREE things to do in Lisbon – click here
Option 1 – Bus 403
Once you get to Sintra Train Station, you’ll have to take bus number 403 to Cabo da Roca. The bus station is right near the train station.
Buses to Cabo da Roca start at 8.40 am and they run twice an hour. It takes about 20 minutes to get to Cabo da Roca and the ticket costs €5 one-way and you can purchase it directly from the driver.
Good to know: Before your trip, make sure to check the Sintra – Cabo da Roca bus schedule again because it tends to change every few months.
Option 2 – Uber
If you’re a group of 3 or 4 people, it might be more convenient to take an Uber to Cabo da Roca. It’s faster, more comfortable, and it will cost almost the same.
Also, if you’re planning to take an Uber you won’t have to worry about bus schedules and you can visit Cabo da Roca as late as you want.
Watching the sunset at Cabo da Roca was magical. The orange sunlight will fall over the majestic cliffs, creating a spectacular view! Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Good to know – to get from Cascais to Cabo da Roca you’ll also have to take bus number 403 or an Uber.
3. Entrance fee & opening hours
There is no entrance fee to Cabo da Roca and the place is open 24/7. However, when planning your trip keep in mind that buses usually run until 7 pm or 8 pm.
If you’re traveling by bus, plan to arrive at Cabo da Roca no later than 6 pm. This way, you’ll have enough time to admire the place and enjoy a stunning sunset. There’s always the option to take an Uber if you want to be the master of your schedule.
-> When in Lisbon, make sure to visit the Pink Street!
4. Things to do at Cabo da Roca
#1 Admire the Lighthouse
Once you get to Cabo da Roca, the first thing you’ll see will be the Lighthouse. This beautiful white and red building overlooks the Atlantic Ocean at an altitude of 165 meters.
It began operating in 1772 and it’s one of the oldest lighthouses in Portugal. Nowadays, the Cabo da Roca Lighthouse is still functioning and its beam of light can be seen 46 km away.
#2 Head to the cross monument
On the left-hand side of the lighthouse, you can visit a beautiful stone monument with a cross on top. Here is engraved the Cabo da Roca poem by Luís de Camões. The poem says “Onde a terra se acaba e o mar começa” which means “here the land ends and the sea begins”.
Also, near the poem you’ll find the coordinates of Cabo da Roca and the sea level altitude.
#3 Explore the beaches surrounding Cabo da Roca
The beaches near Cabo da Roca are simply stunning. North of Cabo da Roca you’ll find Praia da Ursa. The path to the beach is a little steep and you’ll need appropriate footwear. I wouldn’t recommend trying to get to Praia da Ursa in slippers.
To get to Praia da Ursa you’ll have to take one of the dirt trails heading North from the main road leading to the lighthouse. Follow the trail, pass by Aroeira Beach lookout and you’ll get to Praia da Ursa. From Cabo da Roca it will take around 40 minutes to get to Praia da Ursa.
Here you’ll find a beautiful beach, with tall lime-stone formations poking through the water. It kind of reminds me of Diamond Beach on Nusa Penida, Bali.
If you have enough time, you can continue further North to Paia da Adraga. Another beautiful beach you can visit is Praia do Louriçal, located south of Cabo da Roca.
Praia do Louriçal is famous for the rocky arch situated in the water, just a few meters away from the shore. This beach is less touristy compared to Praia da Ursa and a bit smaller.
The beaches near Cabo da Roca are all pretty amazing and I would recommend planning a few hours to visit them. Bring some water and snacks with you!
#4 Watch the sunset
This was my favorite activity when I visited Cabo da Roca. Nothing compares with watching the sunset from the top of one of the cliffs.
You’ll notice that most tourists will stand and watch the sunset from the lighthouse. If you want a little privacy, I recommend following the nearby trails. They lead to less-touristy cliffs (don’t get too close to the edge!).
I recommend going to the cliffs surrounding Aroeira Beach. They’re easy to reach and the views are stunning.
#5 Search for amazing viewpoints at Cabo da Roca
There’s a lot to explore at Cabo da Roca and you’ll need several days to see it all. If you only have a few hours, walk the dirt paths and you’ll find countless jaw-dropping viewpoints.
You’ll notice that most tourists only visit the area surrounding the lighthouse and that’s a shame. Walk a few hundred meters north or south and you’ll be rewarded with stunning scenery.
#6 Head to the tourist information center
If you have any questions about Cabo da Roca, things to do, or the bus schedule you can head to the tourist information center. Here you can buy a small souvenir stating that you made it to Europe’s westernmost point.
5. Cabo da Roca FAQ
Is Cabo da Roca worth visiting?
Definitely! You can visit Cabo da Roca for an entire day or you can combine your visit with other stops in Sintra such as Pena Palace or Quinta de Regaleira.
What does Cabo da Roca mean?
Cabo da Roca means Cape Roca and is the westernmost point in Portugal and continental Europe. Cabo da Roca is located near Sintra and it can be visited as a day trip from Lisbon.
How far is Cabo da Roca from Sintra?
From Sintra, you can take bus number 403 or an Uber to Cabo da Roca. The trip will take around 30 minutes.
6. Where to stay in Sintra
If you’re planning to visit Cabo da Roca as a day trip from Sintra, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best hotels in Sintra, for every budget.
- Budget – Espaco Edla – good location, clean rooms, friendly staff
- Mid-budget – CasAzul – good location, cozy & spacious rooms, good amenities
- Luxury – Chalet Saudade – excellent location, breakfast included, spacious rooms with great amenities, friendly staff
7. Where to stay in Lisbon
If you want to stay in Lisbon, here are the best hotels in the city.
- Budget – Flores Guest House – good location, spacious and clean rooms, good amenities, great value for money
- Mid Budget – Pessoa Hotel – great location, beautiful design, spacious and modern rooms, friendly staff
- Luxury – H10 Duque de Loule – beautiful views, great location, luxurious rooms, amazing design, awesome rooftop bar
8. Where to stay in Cascais
If you choose to stay in Cascais, these are the best hotels in the city for every budget.
- Budget – Eco Ljmonade Hostel – good location, clean rooms, good facilities
- Mid-budget – Eurostar – good location, spacious and clean rooms, beautiful balcony
- Luxury – Grande Real Villa Italia – great location, beautiful pool, spacious rooms, breakfast included, great amenities
9. Final thoughts
Visiting Cabo da Roca is a must when in Sintra. The beauty of this place cannot be described in words. Plan at least a few hours to visit it and don’t forget to visit the nearby beaches!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below.
May the travel bug bite you!
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!