There’s something magical about watching the sun go down, isn’t there? There’s something even more magical about watching it slowly disappear behind the vast blue ocean.
Wherever we go, we crave finding the best sunset spots in each country. So it was only a matter of time until we visited Cabo da Roca for Sunset during our Portugal travels.
Since Cabo da Roca is the most western point in mainland Europe you really feel like you’re right at the edge of the earth watching the sun go down over the horizon. Even though there are usually crazy winds and it gets a little chilly after the sun has set this is hands down one of our favourite spots in Portugal.
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Travel Guide to Cabo da Roca for Sunset
First things first, where is Cabo da Roca and how do you get there?
If you’re staying in Lisbon or Cascais then you can easily get to Cabo da Roca by public transport. There are busses that go from Lisbon and Cascais to Cabo da Roca.
You can see the different bus/rail options from Lisbon and Cascais here. It takes under two hours to get there but if you plan on going for sunset we recommend going earlier in the day because there are some beautiful hikes near Cabo da Roca.
We actually visited Cabo da Roca during our Silver Coast road trip so we were travelling around Portugal by van. Renting a van in Portugal is definitely an option as well as renting a car if you don’t want to deal with public transport.
The last option and honestly one of our favourites is to go on a guided tour to Sintra and Cabo da Roca. If you don’t want the hassle of planning a car rental or van, or taking public transport then this is the way. You don’t have to worry about a thing and your driver will arrange everything for you.
This tour specifically includes watching the sunset at a secret beach while enjoying tapas and Portuguese wine. What more could you ask for?
Things to know about Cabo da Roca
As we mentioned, Cabo da Roca is the most western point in mainland Europe. That’s definitely part of the attraction of Cabo da Roca. But people also come to see the famous lighthouse and the beautiful Portuguese coastline.
One thing we didn’t know until we got there was how many hiking trails near Cabo da Roca there are. We hadn’t seen any resources about this prior to going, so either we didn’t do proper research or not as many people hike these trails as we think. Or maybe people just don’t post online too much about it.
Anyways, we found this incredible hike to Praia da Ursa which is this super cool remote beach and we had it all to ourselves!
It is probably no surprise that the area for sunset near Cabo da Roca is crazy busy with tourists, so we got a good surprise when we realized there were a bunch of trails nearby.
As soon as you go off the beaten path and onto some of the trails then it’s a lot quieter and peaceful and you still get amazing views. The whole area is beautiful and we’re sure you’ll have a wonderful trip to this part of Portugal.
Things to do before watching the sunset at Cabo da Roca
Want to make a full day trip out of your Cabo da Roca sunset excursion?
Since you’re already planning to spend the evening at Cabo da Roca for sunset you might as well make the most out of the trip and enjoy the whole day. There’s so much to do nearby — between Cascais, Sintra, and even just around Cabo da Roca.
Explore Cascais and the beach front
There are a few reasons we recommend visiting Cascais before heading to Cabo da Roca. Firstly, it’s super easy to get to Cabo da Roca from Cascais. Secondly, it’s one of the most beautiful cities in all of Portugal.
If you’ve never been to Cascais before then you can easily stop by in the afternoon and then head to Cabo da Roca for sunset. You can find a full list of things to do in Cascais right here. Our favourite restaurant in Portugal is also in the heart of Cascais, called House of Wonder.
You can easily walk around, explore Cascais, and try some local stuff in an afternoon before catching a bus to Cabo da Roca for sunset. Or if you have your own van or rental car then it’s even easier.
It’s a short 30-minute drive or 1 hour of public transport and you’re at the viewpoint next to the lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic.
Explore Sintra and the beautiful castles
Have you heard of Sintra and the famous castles that are scattered around the Sintra National Park? Sintra is located about halfway between Lisbon and Cabo da Roca. It makes for the perfect day trip from Lisbon before heading off to Cabo da Roca for sunset.
There are some great tours that leave from Lisbon that stop in both Sintra and Cabo da Roca. It’s a good way to see both of these amazing places in one day. There are tons to do in Sintra as well such as hiking to the Castle of Moors or exploring Pena Palace.
If you’re renting a car or going by van you can easily stop in Sintra before going to Cabo da Roca for sunset. There is also public transport from Lisbon to Sintra and then Sintra to Cabo da Roca.
There is so much to do in Sintra so if you can go earlier in the day then do it. Explore the city, the beautiful castles, and have a shot of Ginja (cherry liquor) at one of the tourist shops before heading to the coast for sunset.
PS: If you’re looking to take public transport, then look for bus 403 Sintra. It’s the one that will take you directly to the Cabo da Roca lighthouse.
Hiking and exploring around Cabo da Roca
Yes, you can actually spend a full day at Cabo da Roca! Most people usually just go for an hour or so to watch the sunset over the ocean (which we absolutely recommend) but there is so much more to see than just the sunset.
Our favourite hike in the area is the Praia da Ursa trail which starts right next to the car park and takes you to the most beautiful beach. It’s a good two-hour hike if you take in all the viewpoints and spend time down at Praia da Ursa.
We had the whole beach basically to ourselves so we hung out down there for a while. The rock formations and everything are just incredible.
Once you come back from the hike you can have some nice food at the restaurant right at Cabo da Roca (Restaurante Bar Artesanato) if it’s open. Enjoy a nice meal and then from there you can walk 30 seconds to where you’ll catch the beautiful sunset over Cabo da Roca.
You may also like…
- Hiking the Beautiful Praia da Ursa trail (From Cabo da Roca)
- Best Things to Do in Lisbon in 2 Days (A Weekend Guide)
- 3 Amazing Day Trips from Lisbon You Can’t Miss
- Hiking to the Famous Castle on Moors in Sintra
- 5 of the Best Viewpoints in Lisbon
Recap about the best sunset spot in Portugal – Cabo da Roca
We’ve left you with a bunch of options on how to get to Cabo da Roca including what to do while you’re there. We hope you enjoy the coastal views and the beach at Praia da Ursa if you end up making it there.
It seems like everywhere you look in Portugal it’s beautiful and Cabo da Roca is just another example of that. All along the Silver Coast of Portugal, you’ll find amazing spots like this one. Ericeira, Peniche, and Nazare are just a few examples of that!
We wish you the best of luck chasing Portuguese sunsets. Remember to not forget a sweater or a jacket because it will get windy up on the coast.
Have fun!
Dom & Jo
Red White Adventures
