The last settlement on the South West peninsular of mainland Europe.
Sagres stands on high
rugged cliffs at the very corner of Europe.
Fronting the
Atlantic Ocean on the West, battered by enormous swells and strong winds. On the other side the more forgiving South where
the pale golden sands are bathed by gentle sapphire waters which are almost mediterranean in nature. It is a place of contrasts,
of discovery and adventure.
Sagres was founded at around 1420, although the name itself dates from the Roman occupation of the area when it was
known as Promontorium Sacrum, or Sacred Promontory. The long stretching history includes the known construction of the famous
Fortaleza in the fifteenth century. In 1587 Sir Francis Drake came here to wreck the Fort and destroy links to the Spanish
Armada, and in 1755 the fort was rebuilt after the great quake which had left little standing.
Today you can visit the Fort for a few euros entry fee. There is not a great
amount to see apart from the surrounding walls and a huge wind rose carved into the ground, but it retains an atmosphere of
discovery and the pioneer spirit of Prince Henry the Navigator who set up his sailing school here.
No visit to Sagres would be complete without a trip to the Cabo Sao Vicente.
Five kilometres north west out of the town
centre the Cape is a jutting headland, most rugged and magnificent.
This
was a revered place even in the time of the Phoenicians, and would have been the last piece of Portuguese land seen by departing
sailors.
Today a lighthouse ensures that the
busy shipping lane out to sea stays well clear.
The
cliffs here are high and dramatic, with awesome views and the most incredible time being at sunset - a must see experience.
The South side of Sagres has two lovely beaches, Mareta
and Martinhal. Both have very charming beach cafes where snacks, drinks and more substantial meals such as fresh grilled sardines
and shellfish can be had daily. Martinhal is a favourite with windsurfers, Mareta for swimming, and occasionally surfing.
There is
a fully working Fishing Port in Sagres. You can go down and watch the catch come in and be weighed, fish however can only
be bought from recognised outlets in the town itself.
Surrounding Sagres in
all directions is the Natural Park of Costa Vicentina. A vast protected area of almost wilderness with barren sandy tracks,
scrub and gorse, windbent trees, abundant wild/birdlife, lush with flowers in the early spring and dotted with endless coves
and beaches to explore.
Decidedly unspoilt
it stretches from east to south/west to north for up to 120 km, clinging to the coastline and reaching inland up to 6km.
To the North of
Sagres are beaches and towns to discover, such as Carrapateira, and the ancient Moorish settlement of Aljezur.
To the east there is a string of coastal villages like beads on a necklace,
one after another all the way to Lagos. Each one having its own stunning beach, history and delights too many to list.
Of interest there are some standing stones - Menheirs - above the tiny settlement
of Ingrina.
It is possible to walk the coast
path from Sagres eastwards.
