Cabo da Roca, Stone cliffs at Colares, Portugal
Cabo da Roca is a rocky cape near Colares in Portugal and forms the westernmost point of mainland Europe. The cliffs rise steeply from the Atlantic and offer open views across the ocean and the rugged coastline.
The Romans knew this promontory as Promontorium Magnum and used it as a geographic reference for navigation along the western coast. Sailors later called it the Rock of Lisbon, as it was often the first sign for ships approaching the harbor of the city.
The cape appears in a famous verse by Portuguese poet Luís de Camões, who described this spot as where the land ends and the sea begins. That line now stands on a stone monument at the viewpoint, reminding visitors of the country's long seafaring tradition.
The path to the viewpoint is short and well paved, but the wind can be very strong, especially during afternoon hours. It is advisable to bring a windproof jacket and to keep a safe distance from the cliffs in poor weather.
The lighthouse was built in 1772 and was the first in Portugal designed specifically for maritime navigation, not converted from an older watchtower. Its light reaches over 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) across the Atlantic and warns ships of the rocky coast.
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