Ponta da Piedade, Natural monument and cape in Lagos, Portugal

Ponta da Piedade is a headland of yellow-golden rock up to 20 metres high, cut into grottoes, tunnels, gates and boulders that jut into the Atlantic. Its rough, horizontally banded cliffs descend to hidden beaches and coves, and separate stacks rise from the water, two of them with arched openings at their bases. A lighthouse stands on the clifftop above.

The name Ponta da Piedade means "Point of Mercy" in Portuguese. The lighthouse at the cape dates from 1913. Since 2004, a steep staircase of almost 200 steps near the lighthouse has led down to the rock formations and grottoes.

The name Ponta da Piedade means "Point of Mercy" in Portuguese. Fishermen's boats leave from the Lagos waterfront for roughly hour-long trips to the cliffs, and some tours also start directly at the cape. Locals have named rock domes after animals they resemble, and boats pass between the stacks.

A steep staircase of almost 200 steps near the lighthouse, built in 2004, leads down to the sand beach at the base of the cliffs. Boat trips to the grottoes leave from the Lagos waterfront promenade, and round trips also start directly at Ponta da Piedade. Start a grotto trip at low tide, when more of the caves can be entered. A small tourist train runs between the harbour and the viewpoint.

The lighthouse dates from 1913, and since 2004 a steep staircase of almost 200 steps beside it has led down to the water and the rocks. Boat trips also leave directly from the cape, not only from the Lagos waterfront.