End of the world in Sagres

What kind of reaction does the phrase "extreme fishing" give - apart from the astonished face? In Portuguese Sagres no one is surprised, after all, it is the order of the day there. Well, at the end of the world these things don't happen.

The ancients believed that this is where the world ends. Standing at the end of the continent, atop high rocks, and feeling the strong wind blowing from the vastness of the ocean, you can understand why they thought so. Sagres, because we are talking about it, is one of the most interesting tourist destinations in this part of the Portuguese coast. It is situated on the western tip of the Algarve, a province with a cliff coastline, with numerous grottos and caves carved out of limestone by the water.

Sailing school in Sagres

Sagres is famous for its seascapes and colorful history. It was here that the school of cartography and astronomy was established, and its graduates were the greatest sea explorers. The school was founded by Prince Henry the Navigator, patron of the development of the Portuguese fleet and protector of sailors. Sam - despite the nickname given several hundred years after his death - never sailed on ships. Apparently he suffered from seasickness.

Tourists coming to the town visit Ponta de Sagres and Fortaleza, which housed the navigation school. Little remains of the former glory of the fortress, but it is worth going here - if only to watch the anglers perched on the rocks near the fort. They fish from a height of several dozen meters, standing over the sea surf, in places blown by violent gusts of wind. Fishing in Sagres has nothing to do with the image of a blissful idyll in a rocking boat, to which we are used to. From time to time, local rescue services organize search actions for the unfortunate, who was taken away from his position with a fishing rod.

Behind the thick walls of Fortaleza de Sagres we find a vast wind rose (Rosa dos Ventos - its diameter is 43 meters). There is also a chapel from the 16th century. After visiting the cape, you can end your walk with a visit to one of the places, where you can quench your thirst with a glass of cold beer.

Cape Saint Vincent

About 6 km from Ponta de Sagres there is another cape - Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent). At its very end there is a unique lighthouse. Its streak of light is unmatched in length - it has the greatest range in all of Europe (90 km). While standing in this place, you are standing on the farthest part of the continent to the west.

There are buses between Sagres and Cape Saint Vincent, bringing tourists eager to find themselves at the end of the world. You can also cover the route on your own, taking a long walk, but be aware that it is a good few kilometers, often in heat, in the air shaking over the asphalt. On the other hand, while hiking, you can pay more attention to landscapes than when traveling by bus. Numerous birds live at the foot of the rocks, the waves crash against jagged cliffs, and the slender silhouettes of surfers can be seen on the surface of the water. Amazing views.

Walk along the coast

On the way, you can visit the second fortress, Fortaleza de Beliche , and then slowly return to the town, admiring the scenery. And it must be repeated that there is a lot to admire - the wealth of rock formations descending down to the sea, as well as small, sandy beaches of extraordinary beauty, hidden among the cliffs.

In Sagres itself you will find several surf shops and quite a lot of rooms for rent. The town is quiet and peaceful, in contrast to the loud Lagos, which is approx. 32 km away. During your stay, it is worth visiting one of several cafes and trying a beer called Sagres or another, equally popular - Super Bock. Both are lagers, and their taste is as memorable as the views from the end of the world.