We travelled to the Cabo de Sao Vicente headland near Sagres in Portugal. Here, in southern Portugal, we found Europe's most south-westerly point. The sea crashes into 75-metre-high cliffs, and one of Europe's most powerful lighthouses sends its light signals across the Atlantic. We also visited the nearby Ponta de Sagres headland. Join us at the dramatic Cabo de Sao Vicente headland and the great sea battles!
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ShareUdden Cabo de Sao Vicente
Cabo de Sao Vicente, or Cape St Vincent as it is known in English, was already known in ancient times. At that time, the cape represented for the Greeks the outermost limit of the world they knew.
With its steep cliffs and dramatic scenery, it was also a source of myths and legends. For example, they called the area the 'Land of Snakes' because of a legend about a people who moved there after their homeland was invaded by snakes.
Several historic naval battles have also taken place in the vicinity of this headland. Wikipedia lists battles between England and Spain (1587), France and England (1693) and England and Spain (1790). However, the one most often referred to as the Battle of Cape St Vincent is the 1797 battle, when a British fleet defeated a larger Spanish fleet.
The headland, Cabo de Sao Vicente, has a history that is said to come from a Spanish priest who was martyred in the 4th century and floated ashore here.
Lighthouse and fortress at Sagres in Portugal
On Cabo de Sao Vicente, near Sagres, there is a lighthouse built in 1846 that has the second most powerful lighting device among European lighthouses. The area where the Atlantic coast meets the Mediterranean Sea is one of the busiest motorways (E9) in the world. The lighthouse is built on top of an old monastery, which is said to have housed the remains of St Vincent, until they were brought to safety in the Lisbon.
There is also an old fortress next to the lighthouse that you can visit. The picturesque town of Sagres in Portugal is located 6 km from the cape, and was very important in the colonisation of Portugal.
Fishermen at high altitude, Vicente at Sagres
The sea was relatively calm today, and yet the long soft waves hit the rock hard, splashing up roaring foam. Everywhere on the cliff edges were fishermen with long fishing lines. We saw several who got a bite, and were fascinated both by the methods of getting the fish up the cliff, and by the fact that they dared to stand so close to the edges ...
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Åsa says:
Huga!
12 January 2015 - 20:18
Ditte says:
Beautiful pictures! And lucky that the fish don't have a tendency to get dizzy.
Many years since I was here, but it is just as beautiful now.
12 January 2015 - 22:06
Matts Torebring says:
Right now I think you are in one of the most pleasant places in Portugal, maybe the whole of southern Europe. Hugs and wet snow in Småland.
12 January 2015 - 22:12
admin says:
Åsa, yes or no?
😉
Ditte, it's probably lucky... but you think they have to be careful too!?
Matts, that can certainly be the case! Fantastically nice in any case!
12 January 2015 - 22:28
Camilla- ActiveDays says:
mighty!!!
12 January 2015 - 22:55
Rkuth in Virginia says:
What a fantastic coastline! Strange that not more Swedes
holidaying and/or residing there. Spain with
The Canary Islands and the two Majorca islands may be what Swedes want.
ha, where there are sandy beaches, but you get tired of that, don't you?
after a while, I would think.
Unfortunately, I have only been to Portugal ONCE, but the landscape there
with chalk-white houses in beautiful olive groves, was absolutely delightful.
I wish I had more opportunities to visit Portugal.
but glad I got there.
13 January 2015 - 0:17
Mr Lars Permelin says:
Fishing from that height can have its risks and doesn't look easy. You can see that the sea has heavily sculpted the rocks over the years by countless storms. Magnificent scenery.
13 January 2015 - 0:21
Casa Annika says:
It's a fascinating place. I didn't see any fishermen. Nice picture the first one!
If you come by one weekend there will be a seafood lunch; arroz con mariscos! I understand that you like seafood?
To visit in Aracena, if you go there (you will not regret it): Fuenteheridos, Linares de la Sierra, Alájar, Galaroza, Almonaster for example, so nice little places! Have written about them a little on the blog from time to time when we have been there. The villages should be experienced.
13 January 2015 - 1:48
Mr Steve says:
I wouldn't do that kind of fishing. For me, just looking at your pictures is dizzying enough.
13 January 2015 - 6:28
Anna in Qatar says:
Wow! But how long is their fishing line?
13 January 2015 - 7:54
Snows says:
Nothing for me, I can say! Really impressive that they can and dare to stand there...
13 January 2015 - 8:27
Role o Carina says:
Yes, you must not hate heights to fish there!
But fun for the effort when they get fish! 🙂
Wonderful place to be in and discover 🙂 .
Take care.....
13 January 2015 - 10:15
admin says:
Camilla, really!
Ruth in Virginia, Swedes are a bit of creatures of habit who want to do what everyone else does...? But some people probably discover Portugal too! We have several friends who want to buy an apartment here. And among the winter travellers with motorhomes it is common to choose Portugal!
Lars Permelin, I thought it looked a bit dangerous. But we saw several who got a bite, so maybe there is good fishing luck there!?
Casa Annika, we saw a huge number of fishermen, probably at least 100. But maybe it is different depending on the season or time of day? Thank you, how nice of you to think about what you want to offer! Of course we love seafood! We are actually thinking of taking that route so we go past Aracena. Thanks for the tips! It will take some time though, we are moving slowly now and want to experience a little more of Portugal first.
Steve, I got a bit dizzy looking at some fishermen too...!
Anna in Qatar, very long I think! In any case, it took a very long time to haul up the fires ...
😉
Znogge, not for me either...
Rolle and Carina, fantastic place! And they seemed to get fish!
🙂
13 January 2015 - 10:32
Marina says:
Great pictures! After looking at all your lovely posts from Albufeira, I have to say that I don't recognise so much (don't really know what we did on our holiday when it happened 😉 but it makes me want to do it again!
13 January 2015 - 10:54
Anders and Birgitta says:
Oh my goodness what adventurous fishermen, I wonder if anyone has fallen down. Cool rocks.
13 January 2015 - 10:54
Ama de casa says:
It's stunningly beautiful there - and the Sagres beer isn't bad either.
🙂
Although I get anxious when I see people so close to the edge of the cliff...
13 January 2015 - 10:57
admin says:
Marina, what do you remember from Albufeira? Of course we haven't been everywhere either... Then I think it will be a bit different in the summer, with all the tourists!
Anders and Birgitta, we saw a memorial stone for a guy who fell down. But it was a young German guy, probably a tourist. As for the fish, we also wondered...
Ama de casa, I also get a bit anxious when people get too close...
13 January 2015 - 11:02
Cat's Considerations says:
Cool rocks and fun fishing.
13 January 2015 - 16:01
FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:
Looks really nice there!
13 January 2015 - 17:21
s p i n d e l t j e j e n says:
It looks wonderful!!! Enjoy for me too - now I can't wait to get out!!! 🙂
Hugs C
14 January 2015 - 23:06
skirt says:
Hi, we are a retired couple travelling and staying in albufeira for 1 month. Was keen to see the sagres and the cliffs, the lighthouse on the headland. My question now is If there is a boat, bus or train connection there, or at least nearby. We do not have a driving licence. What can a taxi cost? Regards Kjelle
04 February 2020 - 15:11
Helena says:
Hi Kjelle! How wonderful that you are planning to spend a month in Albufeira! Yes, the cliffs at Sagres are well worth a visit! We were travelling by campervan when we were here, so we don't have much knowledge. I'm pretty sure there are buses, though. After a quick googling I found this page: https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Albufeira/Sagres (Note! I don't know this site, so I can't vouch for the accuracy/updatedness of the content etc. If you find a good alternative, please double check it on site or otherwise).
05 February 2020 - 7:59