Monday 30th April 2018
About a half hour drive from our campsite we reached the most south westerly point of Portugal, Cabo de São Vicente with its spectacular cliffs, lighthouse and views of the Atlantic Ocean.
(For information the lighthouse is closed on Mondays).
It was much busier than we had anticipated and was well established as a busy tourist trap. Stalls selling all things ‘Portuguese’… cork, cockerels, postcards, etc.
We parked along the approach road, as had many other cars but if we had driven further towards the lighthouse we would have found a small car park which would have meant not such a long walk to the viewpoint. This would have been particularly helpful as there were no paths along the road and with very young children, somewhat hazardous.
On our way back from the Cape Saint-Vincent, we stopped at one of the fortresses, Fortaleza do Beliche, along the coast.
Although the fortress wasn’t open the day we visited we were able to walk behind part of the old wall and enjoy fantastic views out to the Ocean, and attempt some of the steep, uneven, stone steps which go a long way down to a viewing point. (Not for the faint hearted though).
Heading back towards Sagres, we looked for somewhere to enjoy a spot of lunch. The small beach Praia da Mareta looked perfect. Just outside the town with a nice restaurant, Telheiro Do Infante overlooking the sea, wonderful.
Despite some expensive dishes on the menu, we enjoyed a tapa style lunch washed down with a few bottles of the local Sagres beer and some sparkling vinho verde.
The Mareta beach was delightful once you had navigated the large section of pebbles. Crystal clear water and plenty of sand would make it an ideal spot for a family day out.
There is certainly no shortage of beautiful beaches along this part of Portugal’s coast to appeal to everyone’s taste, whether it is a bustling tourist beach, a surfer’s paradise or a remote peaceful slice of heaven.