Cabo da Roca - The westernmost point of Europe

Located more than 40 km from the capital Lisbon (Portugal), the Cabo da Roca peninsula is rated by travel experts as one of the 50 most worthwhile places to visit in the world . Cabo da Roca, a coastal area in Portugal, is the westernmost point of Portugal and also the westernmost point of Europe.

The westernmost landmark of Europe.

Because of its unique geographical significance, this headland is famous among travelers who are passionate about conquering the ends of the earth.

Unlike Vietnam's westernmost point, the journey to Europe's westernmost point is quite easy. Anyone who has ever been to A Pa Chai, Vietnam's westernmost point, at the tri-border junction of Vietnam, Laos, and China, would have been exhausted by the arduous journey, such as walking through dense forests and climbing nearly 500 stone steps to reach the sovereignty marker. In contrast, reaching Europe's westernmost point is much simpler.

Just take bus number 403 from the town of Cascais, and you can reach the westernmost point. A short walk will take you to the landmark marking the westernmost point of Portugal and the westernmost point of Europe. If you can afford it, you can take a taxi, which is a bit more expensive, but it will take you directly to the landmark.

To the far west

The day I arrived, I saw a group of cyclists also coming here from afar. I guessed they had cycled all the way from Lisbon, as the distance was only a little over 40 km. I regret not having had the chance to interact with them, fellow cycling enthusiasts from Portugal, because they were leaving when I arrived, so I didn't have time to chat with them.

The Westernmost Point in Europe is an ancient stone monument recording basic information about the Cabo da Roca headland, such as its longitude and latitude, with a cross symbol at the top. At first, I was a little surprised, thinking that a landmark with such special coordinates as the westernmost point would have to be built in a grand style, but then I realized that Portugal is a nation that travels the world spreading Christianity, so the cross at the top of the landmark is understandable.

Further along, you'll see the lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the two most iconic landmarks of Cabo da Roca. Because the headland is right next to the Atlantic Ocean, fences have been erected along the headland to ensure the safety of visitors and prevent them from accidentally plunging into the sea.

The headland is a narrow cliff, approximately 140 meters above sea level. Therefore, the view from this vantage point is fascinating, giving you a feeling of being very close to the Atlantic Ocean below. You can gaze out at the vast Atlantic Ocean with its clear blue sky. Freedom, exhilaration, and a sense of soaring are the intense emotions you'll experience when you set foot on this special land. The scenery of Cabo da Roca becomes even more breathtaking at sunset. At that time, you'll be mesmerized as the vast sea and sky transform into a reddish-purple hue, creating a dreamy and romantic atmosphere that captivates the heart.

Cabo da Roca is a coastal region in Portugal, situated in a highly strategic location: the westernmost point of Portugal and also the westernmost point of Europe.

Portugal's "Great Wall of China"

If you've traveled to the far west of Europe, don't forget to visit the ancient Moorish castle. The Moorish castle sits atop a hill in Sintra, a town with a unique topography unlike any other in Europe. Sintra is considered a diamond of Portuguese tourism , boasting many ancient Moorish architectural structures such as the Moorish castle and the Pena National Palace.

If you take the train from downtown Lisbon, it only takes about 30-45 minutes to get to Sintra. I was visiting a close friend who lives in Cascais and staying at her house for a few days, so it was a little closer to Sintra than from Lisbon.

Originating from the Moorish occupation of Portugal, these walls and towers are now a romantic Portuguese landmark from the 19th-century reign of King Ferdinand II. Looking up from below, you can see the long stretches of ramparts leading to the summit, where the Moorish castle stands. This scene reminded me of the Great Wall of China.

A close-up view of the road leading up to the Moorish castle.

The Moorish castle was built in the 8th or 9th century when large parts of Portugal were occupied by the Moors. However, the castle fell under Christian rule when the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, recaptured it in 1147. Here, in addition to the Moorish mosque, there is also a small Christian chapel dedicated to the São Pedro de Penaferrim region.

For centuries, as Sintra's strategic importance waned, the castle fell into disrepair. However, in the mid-19th century, a restoration project was undertaken at the direction of King Ferdinand II, as part of his Romantic designs for Sintra, which included the nearby Pena Palace.

From the Moorish castle, the views are spectacular. You can see the Cabo da Roca cape (the westernmost point of Europe) and the entire town of Sintra in view. The Moorish castle is the only Moorish-style castle in Europe built by the Moors, has been designated a Portuguese National Monument, is part of Sintra's culture, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The reason why Moorish structures and traces of them appear in so many buildings constructed by the Spanish and Portuguese is because the Muslim Moorish armies crossed the seas into the European continent and dominated much of the Iberian Peninsula for 800 years, starting in the 13th century. The Muslim Moors (also known as the Mauritians) were not a single ethnic group but a collection of Berbers, North African Arabs, and Black Africans.

Originating from the Moorish occupation of Portugal, these walls and towers are now a romantic Portuguese landmark from the 19th-century reign of King Ferdinand II. Looking up from below, you can see the long stretches of ramparts leading to the summit, where the Moorish castle stands. This scene reminded me of the Great Wall of China.

Besides the westernmost point of Europe and the Moorish castle, my best friend took me to the capital Lisbon, to visit beautiful coastal landmarks of Portugal such as Jeronimos Monastery, Belem Tower, Sao Jorge Castle… Jeronimos Monastery is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, so to get inside you have to queue for quite a long time.

This structure was built in the 17th century and was once the former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. Nearby, the Tower of Belem is a 16th-century fortress and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fortress is a symbol of the European Age of Discovery and features Portuguese post-Gothic Manueline architecture.

The Tower of Bethlehem was built entirely of local limestone with a predominantly white color scheme. Here, you can see 17 cannons with their loopholes facing the river, and the small walls on the upper level are decorated with motifs of the cross of Jesus.

Moorish castle landscape.

Knowing I was in Portugal, a friend asked me to buy her a T-shirt with the number and name of the famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo printed on it. It cost over 1 million VND for a T-shirt, so she shook her head and said no. Although the idol's T-shirt is quite expensive, the cost of living in Portugal is arguably the lowest in Europe. When I went to the supermarket, I noticed that food prices were much cheaper than in France. For example, a bunch of about 6 bananas costs 6 Euros in France, but only 3 Euros in Portugal...

A journey to the far west of Europe and the exploration of Portugal's historical heritage offers not only the satisfaction of conquering unique destinations but also the opportunity to contemplate the beauty of the interplay between nature, culture, and history. From the majestic Cabo da Roca to the ancient Moorish castles, each place holds its own story, contributing to the irresistible charm of this country.

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