Cabo de Sao Vicente

Beautiful place to visit, where the earth ends, independently from watching a sunset or not. If you don't want to walk 1km, arrive early because several hundreds of people will be there at sunset. Wind 60+km/h, cold and wet, so dress accordingly.

I had the opportunity to visit Cabo de São Vicente today and I am absolutely blown away by its beauty and historical significance. Located at the southwestern tip of Portugal, this spot is a must-visit for anyone traveling to the region.

The first thing that struck me was the dramatic landscape, with steep cliffs and crashing waves against the rocky coastline. The view from the lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente is simply breathtaking, offering unobstructed views of the vast Atlantic Ocean and rugged terrain.

The lighthouse itself is an impressive structure, built in the mid-19th century to guide ships through this treacherous stretch of water. Its stark white walls and bold red stripes make it a striking landmark against the dramatic natural surroundings.

But Cabo de São Vicente isn't just about the stunning views. This site is steeped in history, dating back to the Roman era. In fact, the name "São Vicente" is believed to have come from Saint Vincent of Saragossa, a martyr who was said to have been buried here after washing up on shore.

Over the centuries, Cabo de São Vicente has been a strategic location for both military and commercial purposes. It has been the site of numerous naval battles and is believed to be the last resting place of Sir Francis Drake, the famous English explorer.

In addition to its historical significance, Cabo de São Vicente is also a great spot for nature lovers. The surrounding area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds of prey and marine mammals like dolphins and whales.

Overall, my visit to Cabo de São Vicente was an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and diverse wildlife make it a must-see destination for anyone visiting Portugal. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary

Amazing place for a sunset and walk along the cliffs. Cafe with really nice gelato as well. Not to be missed when in Algarve.

Amazing place and worth the 3€ to visit with lots of parking space in front.

Take your time to walk round the whole area including the walls with the canons.
Close to the light house there is a man made labyrinth with a really cool sound effect. No spoiler alert!

Amazing views of Portugal alongside Cabo Sao Vicente. The walkway towards the cliff was dangerously beautiful.

The cliffs rise nearly vertically from the Atlantic and it looks impressive. It’s hard to imagine that anything can grow there but nature finds its way. One more thing worth experiencing is the powerful sound of the waves .

Bring a hoodie or jacket, it will be cold 😛 food and drinks will also be great, only two small food tracks here

Cape St. Vincent (Portuguese: Cabo de São Vicente, Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈkabu dɨ sɐ̃w̃ viˈsẽtɨ]) is a headland in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, in the Algarve, southern Portugal. It is the southwesternmost point of Portugal and of mainland Europe. Cape St. Vincent was already sacred ground in Neolithic times, as standing menhirs in the neighborhood attest. The ancient Greeks called it Ophiussa (Land of Serpents), inhabited by the Oestriminis and dedicated here a temple to Heracles. The Romans called it 'Promontorium Sacrum' (or Holy Promontory). Strabo, in his Geography call this cape the most western tip of the known world and reports the place was considered magical. Common people believed the sun sank here hissing into the ocean, marking the edge of their world, which Strabo qualifies as 'common and vulgar reports' and attributes to Posidonius. According to legend, the name of this cape is linked to the story of a martyred fourth-century Iberian deacon St. Vincent whose body was brought ashore here. A shrine was erected over his grave; according to the Arab geographer Al-Idrisi, it was always guarded by ravens and is therefore named by him كنيسة الغراب (Kanīsah al-Ghurāb, meaning 'Church of the Raven'). King Afonso Henriques (1139–1185) had the body of the saint exhumed in 1173 and brought it by ship to Lisbon, still accompanied by the ravens. This transfer of the relics is depicted on the coat of arms of Lisbon.

Beautiful place, we visited it during the sunset, breath taking!

It is the most southwestern point of Portugal and continental Europe. In the Middle Ages, this place was considered the end of the world known to Europeans. You must be there to see it! Centuries ago, they also looked into the same vastness.

Stunning place to watch the sunset. No wonder they once thought this was the edge of the world.

The highlight of an Algarve holiday. Be wary of the microclimate - it can get really foggy, up to a point where you don’t see anything. Best sunset in Europe for sure - a special place. Likely one of the best sunsets in the world. Apologies for my lack of photographic skills - the actual experience is surreal. If you’re around, this is a must see - no matter what!

Must go place if you are visiting the Algarve, especially at sunset. The power of the wind and the ocean, together with a dramatic sky makes you feel incredibly free.

Amazing views. It worths the visit, for sure.

Cape Saint Vincent: The most southwestern point in Europe
We visited this place in 2003 for the first time. Since 1996 there’s the German bratwurst stall (called 🇺🇸 the last bratwurst before America - 🇩🇪 Die letzte Bratwurst vor Amerika).
When buying the original German sausage, you will be presented with a dated certificate saying that you have visited the western tip of Europe.

It a beautiful place where the land meets the ocean

Amazing cliffs and views from Europes most south-west point....try also the "letzte Bratwurst vor Amerika"

Wonderful place! Absolutly worth visiting!

It was really nice and sunny when we arrived there. Clear skies and no wind. Worth walking on the cliffs as well for some spectacular views.

Amazing view. It was worth to take a walk along the coast and watch the ocean's waves )