A walk that takes you to Cabo da Roca, Sintra, the westernmost point of mainland Europe. The 16th-century Portuguese poet Luís de Camões described the place "Where the land ends and the sea begins" (Onde a terra acaba e o mar começa). My dog Chance and I set off from our home in the village of Azóia to find a path that crosses the headland to Cabo da Roca. We made our way to the run down local football field near the Bar Moinho Dom Quixote, a restored windmill, and followed the dirt road at the back until we met a smaller path on the hillside. We looked up to see a couple of peregrine falcons circling high up in the sky. We continued on this path, traversing the hill and down to a copse and we crossed a small stream. It was a steep climb the other side to reach Cabo da Roca and its lighthouse where the cliffs stand 140m above the crashing waves of the Atlantic. You can now understand the meaning of those famous words by Luís Camões. It was busy with day trippers so we didn't linger and set off on the main road to turn left onto a track and head towards "Praia da Ursa" (bears beach). Two enormous sea stacks stand in the wild Atlantic Ocean, one of them at a certain angle looks like a bear posing with pride. There is a legend that, a few thousand years ago, when the Earth was still covered in ice, a mother bear and her young lived here. When the ice started melting the Gods told all the animals to leave the sea shore but the stubborn bear refused to do so, because she was born there and she would stay. The angry Gods transformed the bear into rock and her young into smaller rocks dispersed around the mother and there they stood, giving the name to this beach. We then returned to the main tarmac road for a short distance to then turn left onto a dirt track that eventually took us to the small quaint village of Ulgeira, past the old church and onto the tarmac road back to the village of Azóia and home, just in time for afternoon tea.
A great day out in this beautiful region of Portugal.

ramblersramble.blogspot.com/
www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=872948
Google map: tinyurl.com/34cuh95

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Café de Paris is situated in the historic centre of Sintra Vila with fine views of the National Palace. A beautiful 19th century building built in the classical Parisian café style, covered in blue tiles. You have the choice of dining on the balcony, the terrace or the beautiful French style interior decorated with painted murals.

The café offers excellent Portuguese cuisine with a French flavour. After a long walk to the palace and castle on the hill spend the afternoon relaxing here with a bottle of Borba red wine.

Restaurante Café de Paris: 21 923 23 75

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Azenhas do Mar ("Watermills by the sea"), in the region of Sintra, is a charming village of whitewashed houses, trimmed in blue, built on the slopes of the cliff and a small river with waterfalls running down through gardens to the sea.

There are Interesting rock formations and natural seawater pools, plenty to keep the kids amused.

The watermills were a popular seaside retreat in the 1950s. They have recently been carefully restored, offering a restaurant, bar and swimming pool arranged on different levels.

The restaurant has a stylish seaside wood panelled interior with magnificent views to the Atlantic Ocean. It offers a great selection of fresh fish and seafood caught locally by one of the owners, and is complemented by an excellent wine list.

The snack bar, Terraço da Azenha, situated above the restaurant and swimming pool, has a series of small terraces with great views. Inside the bar, through a glass section in the floor, you can see the old workings of the mill. It offers a good selection of snacks including sweet and savoury crêpes.

Well worth a visit, and you will find great walks that will take you along the cliffs to the beaches of Praia das Maças and Praia Grande.

Off the N247.
www.lookgofind.com/

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A walk that starts from the picturesque village of Azóia and takes you through the forest to Peninha, a castellated fort-like building, on top of the mountain as you look up from Cabo da Roca. This historical site stands on the ruins of a medieval chapel - Ermida de São Saturnino and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Pena. At the top there are superb views of Lisbon, the Tagus estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.
Distance about 7.3km (1h 50 min.)

Start early in the morning and take some water, as in the summer months it can be rather hot.

www.lookgofind.com/

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There are great walks on the coast in Sintra, near Lisbon. One of them takes you from the beach of Praia da Adraga, a sand crescent tucked between tall cliffs, to the next beach, Praia Grande.

Stunning views of the Atlantic coast and dinosaur footprints made 120 million years ago imprinted in the cliff face at Praia Grande make this a superb walk.

You can continue the walk to many other beaches and sights from here, or simply return to your starting point.

Ask for maps at the tourist office in Sintra.

www.lookgofind.com/

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A day trip to Sintra is a must. Rather than get the crowded bus, those who can should walk up to Castelo dos Mouros, high on the hill above the town. The path starts near the Church of Santa Maria and winds up through woodland. You’ll feel like you’ve earned the magnificent views you get from the castle walls.

Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra

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Have a whole day out in Sintra. Don't miss Quinta da Regaleira, Monserrate Gardens, and Palácio da Pena.

Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
For photos see www.isidore-of-seville.com/photos/regaleira

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The Castelo dos Mouros offers astounding views of the hills around Sintra and of the Atlantic Ocean. But watch out for slippery stones on the castle walls (especially when wet) as it's a long way down if you fall! When I went there was mist over the hills which made it very eerie.

Pena Road. About 3.5 km from Old Quarter, on the road to Pena Palace (buses go from Sintra's train station);
Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour;
www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadelisboa/sintra

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Sintra is awesome - even more for the views than for the fantastic architecture. Get the train from Sete Rios (Rossio was closed at the time of writing) to Sintra. Exit the station and catch a bus or turn left for a taxi to Palácio da Pena. Try going around the battlement running outside this palace. Then taxi it back to Sintra for Palácio Nacional.

www.manorhouses.com/unesco/whsintra.html

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If you go to Lisbon then go to Sintra. It's less than an hour out of Lisbon on a suburban train. Climb the hill to the Moorish castle. It's a different world, and the view is beyond stunning.

Regular trains from Sete Rios station or Entrecampos station (Estação Rossio closed at time of writing). Journey time is less than an hour

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