Sagres and Cape St Vincent: The End of the World

Sagres feels like the end of the world, and once it was. At the southwest tip of Europe, wild cliffs drop into the Atlantic, the wind never stops, and Prince Henry the Navigator’s fortress looks out to sea. Today it’s a laid-back surf town with great beaches, dolphins offshore and the most famous sunset in the Algarve.

Quick answer: visit the Fortaleza de Sagres (€10), watch the sunset at the Cape St Vincent lighthouse, surf or swim at Mareta, Tonel or Beliche, and take a dolphin trip from the harbour (from €40). In October, birdwatchers come for the autumn migration. Sagres is about 30 minutes from Lagos.

Things to do

Fortaleza de Sagres

The fortress on a windswept headland, linked to Prince Henry the Navigator and the Age of Discoveries. Inside are the mysterious stone “wind rose”, a little chapel and cliff-top walking paths with huge views. €10 for adults (€8 for students and over-65s, free for under-12s). Open until 8pm from May to September and 5:30pm in winter.

Cape St Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente)

The southwestern tip of mainland Europe, with one of Europe’s most powerful lighthouses on 60-metre cliffs. The sunset here is legendary, so arrive early, bring a jacket (it’s always windy) and grab a famous “last bratwurst before America” from the stand. There’s a small lighthouse museum (closed Mondays).

Beaches

• Mareta: the town beach, sheltered and good for swimming.
• Tonel: a west-facing surf beach next to the fortress.
• Beliche: a gorgeous cove under the cliffs on the road to the cape, reached by a long staircase. Check access, as rockfalls have closed it in the past.
• Martinhal: a calm bay with islets offshore, great for families.

Surfing

With beaches facing both south and west, there’s almost always a wave somewhere. Lots of surf schools and camps. See surfing in Portugal.

Dolphin and coastal boat trips

From Porto da Baleeira, marine biologist-led trips look for dolphins (about 1h30, from about €40 for adults and €30 for children) or explore the cliffs and caves. See Sagres boat trips.

Birdwatching

Sagres is one of Europe’s best places to see migrating birds of prey in autumn. Vila do Bispo holds a birdwatching festival every early October.

Where to stay

• Memmo Baleeira: a design hotel above the fishing harbour with a pool and sea views.
• Pousada de Sagres: a classic pousada on the cliffs, facing the fortress.
• Martinhal Sagres: the family resort on Martinhal beach. See Algarve family resorts.

Or browse all Sagres stays.

Getting there

About 30 minutes by car from Lagos, or by bus. A car makes it easy to combine Sagres with the wild beaches of the west coast. See Costa Vicentina and Lagos and the western Algarve.

Tips

• It’s windy all year, so bring a jacket even in summer.
• The water is colder than the rest of the Algarve.
• Stay back from the cliff edges, especially at sunset when everyone jostles for photos.

More: the best day trips from the Algarve.

From our sister blog: Our 7-day Algarve road trip itinerary on Sunset Travellers.

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