The Westernmost Point Of Continental Europe
Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca) is a cape forming the Europe westernmost point on the mainland of Portugal and Europe's continent.
The location is in the Portuguese municipality of Sintra, after Azóia, a typical small village in the south west of Lisbon district, forming the sea side extent of the mystical Sintra mountain.
The vegetation is unique. Specialist of flora and vegetable plants come on purpose to take pictures and samples for study. The place is extremely windy, the plants are small and rare, some can only be found there, low-lying and adapted to saltwater and windy conditions.
Not far from the capital, it is only 45 minutes to 1 hour driving.
The local post office, even gives you (paid) an official certificate with your name for being at the western most point (in Portuguese) with a wax seal on it as well. Sounding a bit cheesy, but if you head out to Cascais and Estoril or Sintra and miss the Cabo da roca then you've missed something stunning.
The lighthouse is a beacon lighthouse made up of granite boulders and limestone, 165 meters above the ocean, which originally began operating in 1772.
It was the first lighthouse to be constructed in the country, following an order of construction of six lighthouses along the coastal line, strategically placed throughout the country to assist navigation.
The "electrical" system began functioning in 1897, with a backup petroleum lamp.
Currently, there is a team of three lighthouse keepers, in order to monitor the lamp and communications between Cabo da Roca and Ericeira.
The small village just before the famous cape is well-known for the excellent restaurants. There are several, but the best and famous one is the "Refugio da Roca", build to look like a stone house painted orange. The service is excellent, and the way they cook fresh fish meals, is something from the gods.
Beaches are within a short driving distance too.
The western coast is a mixture of sandy beaches and rocky cliffs, with more than 100 metres in height, cutting into crystalline rocks. The formations are disturbed by dikes and small beaches.
For anyone going the first time to Lisbon, I definitely recommend visiting the area. Even better to do it in the sunset. It'll be a bit chilly, but watching the sun going down over the ocean is simply amazing.
Cabo da Roca, Portugal (9º29'56.44 W)
