SAGRES
A few hundred years ago people would have said “to the end of the world”.
If you drive southwest from Lagos on the EN125, you will notice how the landscape changes behind Budens. The typical Algar vegetation gives way to stunted pines, agaves and bushes, everything makes a rougher, more inhospitable impression.
Sagres is a small terraced village at the southwestern tip of Europe. The natural fishing harbor located in a rock basin looks particularly pretty. The place itself is located at the upper edge of the barren plateau, and there is usually a strong wind that only causes low gorse and juniper bushes to grow.
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In the 15th century, a Franciscan monastery with a hospital was founded, and later even Henry the Navigator personally took over religious duties. Henry was a saint during his lifetime. He lived chastely, remained childless and did not drink alcohol. He died in Sagres on November 13, 1460. In the 15th/16th In the 19th century, the Cape became more and more important for shipping. Sailing ships wait here for favorable winds for their long journeys and have their fresh water tanks refilled. Christopher Columbus also knew Cap San Vicente very well. The first lighthouse was built in the 16th century. In 1587, the English privateer Sir Francis Drake caused great damage, leaving the old Franciscan monastery and fortress destroyed.
The EN125 ends in a roundabout that presents you with three alternatives: Cabo Sao Vincente, Fortaleza de Promontorio (Escola de Henrique), Sagres.
A tip: first go straight to the fort, then to the cape, and if you're after physical pleasures - to Sagres.
Through the entrance gate of the fort you reach a kind of high plateau, a kind of promontory that extends 1000m into the sea. A road runs around the entire area. If you look from the East you can see the beach of Sagres, if you look to the west you can see the cape with its lighthouse in the distance. The action of the surf, the anglers on the cliffs or the steamers sailing to Africa in the distance are always fascinating to watch. If you are out in the evening and the visibility is clear, don't miss the sunset at the Cape. The sun sinks into the sea like a big red orange. Shortly afterwards it becomes dark and the lighthouse sends its first light signals.
Once you're done with the fresh breeze that's almost always present on the Cape (a sweater is recommended here even in summer), you can stop at Fort Beliche, enjoy the pretty grounds high above the ocean, visit the castle chapel and have a meal in the hotel restaurant Take refreshment.
Then we continue to Sagres. On our first visit, with Henry the Sailor in mind, we always looked for the historic old town. None!
Sagres seems more like a sleepy nest on the Danish North Sea coast, whose tourist attraction is concentrated around a small city center. The fish served in the bars there is usually good. As in all restaurants, it helps to take a look at the glass counter to check the freshness. If you're out early, it's a good idea to have lunch at the restaurant above the harbor, perhaps enjoying Ameijoas à la Cataplana: mussels, onions, pork, garlic and herbs in a wine sauce. The whole thing is served in a kind of lidded pan.
A stop at Martinhal Beach is also highly recommended. Once you are back on the road to Vila do Bispo, the beach is on the right. A sign “Motel-Restaurant” shows you the way. The “Motel-Restaurant” is worth a detour because of its wonderful location. The beach is right in front of it and is ideal for swimming.
FORTE BELICHE
Small fortress just before Cabo Sáo Vicente. Rebuilt in 1632 after it was destroyed. Something similar probably already stood on this site in the 14th century. Inside the small domed chapel there is a statue of St. Anthony, although the church is dedicated to St. Katarina. A steep, dangerous footpath leads along the rocks down to the sea. Sailing ships used to dock here to fill up their drinking water tanks.
The favorite beach for many. Fairly sheltered from the wind and not as crowded as the beaches near Sagres. A bar on the beach, restaurants up on the street. North of the Sáo Vicente lighthouse there are two “wild beaches”, mostly with fairly high surf.
LIGHTHOUSE AT CABO DE SÁO VICENTE
Cabo San Vicente was a holy place and consequently attracted pilgrims. From around 3000 BC. The ancient megalithic stones (holy burial places of the Neolithic people) that were found in the area date back to the 1st century BC. In ancient times, the outermost tip of Europe was dedicated, among other things, to Saturn. Around 100 B.C. Holy drinking ceremonies are reported in the 4th century BC. The Christians adopted this tradition by dedicating this corner to Saint Vincent, a martyr from Valencia.
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The rocky peninsula, about 6 km west of Sagres, extends far into the Atlantic and was an important landmark for seafarers even in ancient times. Today's lighthouse was built in 1846, and a petroleum system was used for lighting until 1926. Now operated electrically, it is the brightest in Europe. The old drive, which used weights suspended on chains to rotate the glass lenses like a grandfather clock, is also still there
completely existent. An approximately 3.5 m high belt lens, made up of ring-shaped prisms, concentrates the light from the huge 3000 watts bulb. The beacon can therefore still be seen 90 km away. When you take a tour you feel like you are in a golden place.
Hall of mirrors. (impressive) For foggy days, there are two large fog horns next to the tower that emit a deep tone every 15 seconds. Five guards live here with their families and work shifts around the clock to operate and maintain the facility (this job is passed down from generation to generation).
The shipping traffic off the Cape is very heavy. The large supertankers that steam past here with their cargoes of oil from the Gulf region towards Northern Europe can be clearly seen from the coast. The water quickly becomes deep off the coast -[nbsp] about 20 km southwest of the cape the water depth is already 1000 m, only to drop to 4000 m a little further out.
MONCHIQUE
The town of Monchique is located 23 km north of Portimão. You drive past orchards and flowering gardens with oleanders, geraniums and roses. As you go further up, you drive through extensive forests of cork oaks, eucalyptus trees and mimosas. Due to the protection that the Serra da Monchique offers against northerly winds and higher rainfall, the vegetation here is very different than on the coast.
About 6 km before Monchique you should stop to drink a glass of the famous medicinal water in the former seaside resort of Caldas de Monchique. The small space under the shady plane trees is a great place to rest and have some refreshment. Also try a Medronho, the aromatic "strawberry brandy" of the Serra. it is distilled here itself.
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In a mountain fold, a few kilometers below the village of Monchique, lie the thermal springs CALDAS DE MONCHIQUE. The thermal bath where King D. Joáo hoped for relief as early as 1495. A walk uphill in the park along the stream is always pleasantly cool, even in midsummer, thanks to the huge eucalyptus trees.
A little further down the valley from the center is the Bouvette, which is the name of the small temple at the thermal spring, where the 32-degree healing water, carefully dosed and free of charge, is given to visitors. Indication: Rheumatism, bronchitis and impure skin. It is best to drink 1 glass of mineral water from Monchique 3 times a day before meals.
The bottling facilities for the excellent mineral water are located in a factory building just below Caldas.
From Caldas, long walks invite you to explore the mountains and flora.
In Monchique it is worth climbing (only possible on foot) to the bell tower and the ruins of the Franciscan monastery Nossa Senhora de Desterro. From there you have a wonderful view over Monchique with its terraced gardens and orchards.
Continuing on to Foia, the highest point in the Algarve at 902m, is also recommended, especially if the visibility is clear. The panoramic view is breathtaking; in the south and west you can see the vast ocean, in the north you can see far into the Alentejo.
Instead of taking the road back via Portimão, a trip to the west coast via Marmelete to Aljezur is a very scenic route.
A holiday home in the Algarve is extremely popular with German holidaymakers. Here you can enjoy your vacation without the mass tourism that usually prevails in the hotels. Sights, restaurants and beaches can be easily reached from a holiday home, especially if you travel by car or book a rental car.
A stay in Portugal also offers the unique opportunity to learn the national language directly in the country itself. Many local language schools offer individual and professional language courses. Using everyday situations, you will practice the practical use of the Portuguese language and, at the same time, learn interesting facts about your host country, Portugal.
