After traveling around Portugal for over two months, we can decidedly say that the best sunset we’ve watched over the Atlantic was at Cabo de Sao Vicente. Incredible rock formations, an iconic red lighthouse, and clouds of mist passing by with amazing speed: the best sunset in Portugal.
We’ve assembled a gallery with our best shots from Cabo de Sao Vicente, and some information on how to get there, and tips on how to make your sunset trip the best experience.
Cabo de Sao Vicente: how to get there?
Cabo de Sao Vicente, or the End of the World, as they call it, is the most south-western point in Europe. This place is situated in Algarve, near Sagres (another location that is a must-see, find our guide here).
Cabo de Sao Vicente and Sagres are both located on the south-western part of Portugal, in the West Algarve region. Algarve is basically the south of Portugal, a really popular region for tourists, as it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. The western part of Algarve is a paradise for surfers, campers and people who love pristine beaches and outdoors.
Ideally, if you want to explore this region of Algarve, you should rent a car. There are a lot of stunning places to see and beaches to discover. If you don’t have that possibility, you can do day trips to Cabo de Sao Vicente or to Sagres from Lagos, by using the Eva bus service.
The buses run from Monday to Friday. You can find the summer timetable here. The prices are really affordable, and if you choose to, you can visit both Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vicente on the same day.
Tip 1: Check the weather forecast first
The rock formations at Cabo de Sao Vicente look incredible, and so does the sky at sunset. If you want to make sure you’re gonna see any of it, check the weather forecast before going sunset watching.
For our first visit, we were lucky to have good weather, yet we still got some mist and clouds here and there. However, this only made the scenery so much more impressive. Still, when we got back a few days after, the place was so cloudy, everything was covered in fog and you couldn’t even see the sunlight.
If you want to make sure you get the best sunset experience, check the forecast for Sagres, Cabo de Sao Vicente and Vila do Bispo. Don’t expect to get the clearest skies, yet make sure you can catch some sunlight, otherwise, you won’t see much.
Tip 2: Bring blankets, warm clothes, and comfy shoes
If you plan a little sunset adventure on the cliffs, you’ll most definitely need some warm clothes and comfy shoes. No matter the weather, the place is quite windy, and it gets colder as the sun goes down. A hat or a hoodie can make a great difference!
Traveling to Algarve? Here’s another gem you can’t miss: check out our guide to Loulé.
As you can see in our photos, the ground is rocky and if you want to explore and wander around the cliffs, make sure you get the right shoes. Also, there is no protection around the edges of the cliffs, so don’t walk very close to the edges. Though it might seem that we’re right on the edge in some of our photos, there were actually a few good meters of land ahead of us. So, don’t be too reckless. The cliffs are very high, and it’s often hard to see how steep they are, because of the mist.
Tip 3: Have a great meal at the end of the world
Finally, we leave you with some of our shots from this incredible adventure. If you ever make it here, you should get a bite to eat, with the view of this iconic red lighthouse, and with your head in the clouds. Or maybe grab a hot dog, from the food trucks, while watching the natural spectacle unfolding.
If you’re just here for the sunset, get your own food and drinks and find a nice spot on the cliffs.
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If you get the chance, make sure you visit the art gallery next to the lighthouse. Here’s a sneak peek:
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So, how about you? Where have you watched the best sunset? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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