The Fort of Sagres is located on a dramatic, narrow headland that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean to form Portugal's most south-westerly point. It dates back to the 15th Century, a time when the Portuguese coast was often the target of raids from the Barbary pirates who heralded from the nearby North African shores.
The Fortaleza de Sagres was built on the orders of Henry the Navigator (Infante D. Henrique), one of the chief drivers in what became known as the...
The navigation school founded by Henry the Navigator at Sagres fortress played a key role in Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. On entering the fortress site, one of the first things to catch the eye is a huge circular stone paving measuring 43 metres in diameter. The Rosa dos Ventos or "Rose of the Winds" as it has since become known, was only excavated in 1919.
There has been much speculation as to what purpose the rose served. Some believe it to be a kind of compass which...
Also known as the Promontorium Sacrum (sacred promontory), Sagres Point is both geographically and historically significant. Once considered the end of the known world by many it is in fact neither the most westerly or southerly point of Portugal (and therefore continental Europe). However, it can be considered the most southwestern-most point and it certainly maintains a feel of being the end of the world.
It is the site of Henry the Navigator's 15th century fortress and also the...
The small, whitewashed Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Graça (church of Our Lady of Grace), in the precinct of Sagres fortress, was built in the 1570s on the site of a chapel first erected by order of Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator).
The church interior is pleasingly simple, with a single aisle and a gold-painted wooden altar believed to date from the 17th century which has an image of Our Lady with the Christ Child in the centre. On either side of the altar are two statues, both believed to have been salvaged...
Located a few kilometres northwest of Sagres is the historic Cabo de São Vicente (Cape of Saint Vincent) is a craggy, windswept headland at the spot which claims to be the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. Until the end of the 14th century many believed this place to be the end of the world - come here on the right day and you might think they had a point. The Romans called this place the Sacred Promontory, and if you stand here at sunset, it can be easy to see why - the sun appears unusually large as it descends over the seemingly endless sea.
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Located a few kilometres outside of the popular resort town itself is Lagos Zoo. Whilst this is not quite on the scale of the big city zoos it manages to pack in plenty of animals among the beautiful landscaped subtropical gardens.
All in all there are around 120 species of animal at the zoo. These include a good variety of birds such as toucans, pelicans, flamingos and parrots. There are exotic species including dwarf crocodiles, which complement the pygmy hippos nicely. "Monkey Island" which, as the name suggests, is a small island on which a range of primates roam free. These...
The quintessential Algarve village of Vila Do Bispo with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and peaceful cafes sits almost at the extreme southwest corner of both Portugal and Europe. It is a small village, but caters well for...
Albufeira
Cascais
