4.7.1 Cabo da Roca
Location HERE.
The westernmost point of continental Europe, situated just off the main road that links Sintra and Cascais. The first lighthouse began operation in 1772, and sits close to the edge of cliffs well over 500 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. There is a small visitor centre, but not much else - a destination for dry and not so windy days.
The wooded terrain associated with much of mainland Portugal is absent from this area; it’s a slightly wild part of the coast.
A stone column marks the spot, telling visitors that this is indeed the westernmost point of Europe. Also prominent is a notice warning those visitors not to cross the fence, along with several of the tourist brains trust doing just that. DON’T: one slip and you potentially have a one way ticket into a wooden box. Others want to be stupid? That’s their business.
How to get there? From Sintra or Cascais by frequent Carris Metropolitana buses: the 1253 departs from a stop at the north side of Sintra station, with the 1624 running between the north side of Portela de Sintra station (the last stop before the terminus) and the Terminal Rodoviário de Cascais (which is just across the road from the Rail station).
Timetable for route 1253 HERE.
Timetable for route 1624 HERE.
If you are a group of more than, say, four people, maybe stick to the 1624, which is operated by full size buses, as the 1253 uses minibuses and therefore has limited capacity - it can get busy.
To get from central Lisbon to Sintra, there are frequent train services from Estação do Rossio, Oriente, Entrecampos and Sete Rios. Cascais is served by frequent train services from Cais do Sodré.
As Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca are all well outside Zone L, the best bet is to load a cardboard Navegante card with credit and use it in Zapping mode. You can use Zapping on both CP suburban trains and Carris Metropolitana buses.
The westernmost point of continental Europe, situated just off the main road that links Sintra and Cascais. The first lighthouse began operation in 1772, and sits close to the edge of cliffs well over 500 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. There is a small visitor centre, but not much else - a destination for dry and not so windy days.
The marker ...
A stone column marks the spot, telling visitors that this is indeed the westernmost point of Europe. Also prominent is a notice warning those visitors not to cross the fence, along with several of the tourist brains trust doing just that. DON’T: one slip and you potentially have a one way ticket into a wooden box. Others want to be stupid? That’s their business.
... the lighthouse ...
Timetable for route 1253 HERE.
Timetable for route 1624 HERE.
... and The Warning
To get from central Lisbon to Sintra, there are frequent train services from Estação do Rossio, Oriente, Entrecampos and Sete Rios. Cascais is served by frequent train services from Cais do Sodré.
As Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca are all well outside Zone L, the best bet is to load a cardboard Navegante card with credit and use it in Zapping mode. You can use Zapping on both CP suburban trains and Carris Metropolitana buses.
[HOME]
Comments
Post a Comment