Cabo Espichel: Cliffs, Sanctuary and Dinosaur Tracks

Cabo Espichel is a wild, windswept cape south of Lisbon, where sheer cliffs drop into the Atlantic. On the headland stands a lonely pilgrimage sanctuary with long arcades of pilgrim lodgings, and on the cliffs below you can spot dinosaur footprints. It’s one of the most dramatic places near Lisbon.

Quick answer: Cabo Espichel is about 15 minutes west of Sesimbra and an hour from Lisbon by car. See the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo, walk to the cliff edge viewpoints (carefully), look for the dinosaur trackways on the cliff faces, and stay for sunset. A car is essential.

What to see

• The sanctuary: a baroque church flanked by two long rows of pilgrim lodgings, facing an empty square.
• The cliffs: dramatic drops into the ocean, with a small chapel on the edge.
• Dinosaur footprints: trackways preserved in the rock layers of the cliffs.
• The lighthouse on the headland.
• Sunsets over the Atlantic. See the best sunset spots.

Safety

• Cliff edges: there are few barriers. Stay well back, especially in wind.
• Wind: it’s often very windy, so bring a jacket.

Combine with

• Sesimbra: see Sesimbra.
• The Arrábida beaches: see the Arrábida beaches.

More: Portugal’s hidden gems and the best day trips from Lisbon.

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