Sagres
At the south-western-most point of Europe lies Sagres, the launching pad of
explorations during the time of Prince Henry the Navigator. It was here that the
Infante Dom Henrique (Prince Henry) is said to have built a school dedicated to
the nautical sciences. Today, Sagres plays its own special role in the tourism
industry of the Algarve region of Portugal. Its generally rugged coastline
dotted by beaches attracts the more adventurous of Algarve visitors, while its
historical relevance draw the interest of tourists as well. The destination
seems to charm backpackers in particular, and the plaza in front of the CaTh'
Conchina has become a sort of meeting place for these travellers, as it is where
buses arrive and depart.
Most of Sagres stand on high ground, on top of ancient rock faces that have
withstood the timeless waves of the Atlantic. Vegetation is limited but exotic
on these towering cliffs that rise grandly against the ocean. Several beaches at
the bottom of the cliffs provide for sheltered bathing, such as the Praia do
Martinhal, which is the biggest beach in the vicinity. Another long beach is
Beliche, just below the famous lighthouse of
Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St.
Vincent). A much smaller beach is Tonel, and on the opposite side of the
protruding Sagres Point is Praia da Mareta. Diving, surfing and windsurfing are
just a few activities that can be enjoyed from these beaches, while fishing can
also be done from Cape St. Vincent and the Baleeira fishing port. Many other
beaches can be easily visited from Sagres.
An excursion to Sagres would typically include a visit to Sagres Point, on which
stand the remains of a fort that is believed to have been from the 15th century.
Other surviving parts of the old structure are the Nossa Senhora da Graça chapel
and a giant pebble wind compass, called Rosa dos Ventos. But perhaps a more
renowned landmark is the lighthouse of Cape St. Vincent, built in the 1800s
where a Franciscan convent from the 16th century used to be. It is considered
the second most powerful lighthouse in the continent, with two 1,000-watt lamps
whose beams are magnified to cast a 10-foot tall light 60 kilometers out to sea.
It serves as a sentinel to major shipping activity that passes through this side
of the world.
While a daytrip may be enough for an excursion around Sagres or for some fun at
the beach, a lot of tourists also opt to stay for the night. There is a
selection of accommodations available, including Pousada do Infante, Hotel
Apartments Navigator and Hotel Memmo Baleeira. Dining out can also be an
adventure, with the best options being regional cuisine served in restaurants
like the Fortaleza do Beliche and Vila Velha. Fish and seafood are the usual
specialties. A number of establishments are also open in the evenings, including
the Last Chance Saloon and the A Rosa dos Ventos bar. For those who want to
enjoy some music, Arcadas disco, O Forno da Telha and Bubble Lounge are the
places to be. |
