Sagres Fortress — Attraction in Vila do Bispo

Europeans once referred to Sagres as the “End of the World” prior to the age of Discovery. Truly a world class vista! If you’re in the mood for a nice hike including a feast for the eyes you can’t go wrong with Fortaleza de Sagres. As its name implies it is indeed a Fort strategically placed on a Cape that probably stretches a kilometer south into the Atlantic with clear views from the east to the west panning through the south. One gets the feeling that enemy ships approaching the area would be sitting ducks. The views are humbling, rendering you speechless! After parking in the giant parking lot there’s a short hike to the entrance of the Fort where tickets are 3 euros. Proceeding, there is one of the nicest maritime museums I can remember ever visiting and nearby the Fort’s Chapel looking very much as it must have back in the day. Once we leave the confines of the built area we’re now out on the well paved path which I’m assuming must be 2 kilometers long (for those that are challenged you can simply double back when tired). Hopefully you’ll be able to continue as the sights of giant waves crashing into the cliff side rocks is magnificent. Oh, and what gigantic cliffs these are! The vistas offer views to the horizon off to the West (next stop the Americas), to the south (Africa’s down that way) and East along the Algarve Coast in the direction of the Mediterranean. The path has directories that speak to the history, flora and fauna of the Cape and occasionally there are stops at old Gun Batteries. One of the special features is an echo chamber. Maze like with no roof it leads to an inner chamber with a steel grate for a floor. This is positioned above a blow hole that extends from the cliff side at least 100 meters inland to the vertical shaft. If you happen to be there on a day when the swells are large (quite regularly), the force of the water pushing air through the shaft creates an amazing updraft. Your shirt will need to be pulled down from your chest as it can be that powerful. And the sound! Continuing around your eyes will be met with sights of some of the clearest waters imaginable on calmer days. Surfers flock to the beach just west of the Cape where you can spend hours watching, or grab your board and hit the waves. After a nice hike, a short drive away there are several great cafes and bars to refill your tanks. This one’s definitely high on my list of weekend hikes. Bring comfy shoes and lots of...

I had the pleasure of visiting Sagres Fortress today and I must say, it was well worth the 3 euro entrance fee. This historic site is a must-see for anyone visiting the Algarve region of Portugal.

The fortress itself is situated on a stunning cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The views from the top are simply breathtaking and provide a unique perspective of the coastline. As a history enthusiast, I found the fortress to be fascinating. The history of Sagres dates back to the 15th century and the site has played an important role in Portugal's maritime history.

The fortress is well-maintained and easy to navigate. There are plenty of signs and information panels providing detailed information about the site's history and significance. As I walked around the fortress, I felt like I was stepping back in time. The architecture and layout of the fortress are impressive and it's easy to see why this site has been designated a national monument.

One of the highlights of my visit was the visit to the famous "rosa dos ventos", or "rose of the winds". This compass rose is a stunning work of art and is an important part of Portuguese navigation history. I spent some time admiring this piece of history and reflecting on the importance of navigation in the development of our modern world.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Sagres Fortress. It's an affordable and fascinating attraction that offers a unique glimpse into Portugal's past. The stunning views, well-preserved fortress, and informative signage make this site a must-see for anyone...

Portugal - Algarve: 📍Sagres 🇵🇹🪨 - 25-10-22

‘Also known as the edge/end of the world…’ 🌍

Our second stop, Sagres. The most Southwestern part of Europe, hence known as ‘The End Of The World’. A nice scenic drive down to the coast from Lagos. Upon arriving, parking 🅿️ is ample and FREE! You’re welcomed by the the ‘Fortaleza De Sagres’🛕 (Sagres Fortress). Its €3 per person to go beyond the fortress but 100% worth it. We weren’t sure what would be in ‘Sagres’ or if anybody else bothers visiting, how wrong we were!!! It turns out they do coach tours to the coast. 👌🏽 We spent almost 2 hours wondering the coastline, also embarking on to ‘Cape St. Vincent’ to see the ‘Lighthouse of Cabo De São Vicente’, only 10 minutes from the Fort. A beautiful sight, but if you do go make sure it’s not wrapped in scaffolding. 🙄 A great spot, definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Algarve. 🇵🇹

Picture 3 is a photo of just one of the many fisherman that climb over the coastal wall and risk their lives to catch their fish for the day or for their livelihood.

Picture 6. Not only did this give me a great climbing 🧗🏽‍♂️ spot but it is also a circular structure where at the centre of it has a hole right down to sea level and you hear the thrashing of the waves upon the rocks. (A scary experience). To envision the depth of the hole, zoom into picture 8, it’ll give you an idea of the depth of the rock, to the...