Local Places of Interest

Sagres - Dates back to before the Roman conquest. On Ponta de Sagres, a giant finger of rock pointing to the ocean, stand buildings which evoke the past of a place that is part of the history of the world.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça - Tradition has it that this church was founded by Prince Henry the Navigator. 16th century with a renaissance doorway.

Wind Rose - A vast circle with radiating points, 143 feet in diameter, marked out in stone on the ground. Possibly dating back to the 15th century.

Cabo do São Vicente - Its status as a sacred spot since 'Neolithic times is confirmed by the presence of important groups of menhirs and by an account written by Greek authors in the 4th century BC, describing religious ceremonies and stating that it was forbidden for humans to go there after dark, because at right it was inhabited by gods.

Budens - A village with picturesque streets, an antique fountain and tank for washing clothes. Nearby stand abandoned windmills and a typical lime kiln.

Raposeira - One of the places in the south-western Algarve where Prince Henry the Navigator lived. There are several houses with 15th and 16th century doors.

Hermitage of Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadeloupe) - According to local tradition this was a place of prayer for Prince Henry the Navigator.

Barão de São Miguel - A typical village surrounded by rolling hills covered with cistus.

Torre de Aspa - Ruins of a watchtower on a hill overlooking the sea (elevation 486 feet), and affording a panoramic vista of the coast as far as Cabo de São Vicente and Sagres.

Burgau - Fortification built in the reign of King João IV (17th century).

Ponta da Almadena - Ruins of a fort built at the command of King João III (16th century).

Figueira - Remains of a 16th century fortification. Access difficult.

Zavial - Ruins of a 17th century fortification. The ruins of a large masonry tower, formerly part of a watchtower, are visible at Ponte da Torre.

Barranco - Ruins of a 17th century fortress.

Baleeira - Remains of a fortification and a lookout tower

Belixe - Fortress dating from the 16th/17th centuries. Shield of arms of King Sebastião (16th century) on the entrance gate. Chapel of Santa Catarina cubic in shape, recalling the cells of Moslem ascetics.

Rio - an important Roman villa with frescoes and mosaics, bathhouse, warehouses and a fish salting and conserving factory.

Sagres - Praia do Martinhal - a major Roman pottery centre, with 3 kilns. On the islets opposite the beach are remains of tanks used for salting fish.

Praia da Mareta - ruins of silos and medieval tile and brick kilns.