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Cabo Espichel: sanctuary, lighthouse and dinosaur tracks!
Cabo da Roca too busy for you? Meet its hidden gem equivalent: Cabo Espichel near Parque Natural da Arrábida.
Cabo Espichel is located just an hour south of Lisbon, and you can see much more than spectacular cliffs! You will also discover the lighthouse, sanctuary, and dinosaur footprints! This makes it a fun trip for families as well, as well as nature lovers and travellers who love off-the-beaten-path locations.
Whether you drive along the Portuguese coast or book a day trip to Arrábida Nature Park, the cliffs are stunning and a must-see if you like nature! Whenever I visit this area, I try to make a quick stop to soak up the views.
We love visiting hidden gems, and Cabo Espichel is much less visited than Cabo da Roca near Lisbon. Check if the church is open to take a look inside. Or enjoy a coastal hike before heading over to the nearby town of Sesimbra.
Ready to explore this serene (but wild) and lesser-known gem on Portugal’s coast? If you love rugged coastlines but hate jostling with busloads of tourists, Cabo Espichel is your perfect escape. This guide will explain how to get there and what to see.
What is Cabo Espichel?
Cabo Espichel is a cape close to the town of Sesimbra on the Setubal peninsula. The area is known for its rugged landscape and beautiful views over the Atlantic. On top is a lighthouse and a church on the cliffs.
Archaeology lovers shouldn’t miss the dinosaur footprints that can be found here, and kids love this, too! A visit is well worth it if you like nature and history! Let’s take a closer look at the things to do at Cabo Espichel and how to get there.
Cabo Espichel things to do
Visiting the Portuguese cliffs is excellent if you need some fresh air! However, at Cabo Espichel, there are numerous sights to see and activities to enjoy. Discover all the on-site attractions with the help of the map below and the information on this page.
Cabo Espichel Lighthouse
One of the two structures at the cliffs is Farol do Cabo Espichel or Cabo Espichel Lighthouse. Cabo Espichel is situated in the Portuguese municipality of Sesimbra, which is part of the Setúbal District.
The tower has an altitude of 168 meters above sea level, and the Cabo Espichel Lighthouse protects the south-western tip of the Setubal Peninsula from ships getting stranded on these treacherous cliffs along the coast.
It’s still operational, but is open to the public once a week! During the tour, you’ll learn more about the work of the keepers and the historical heritage. Inside, you can still see the oil burner from back in the day, which is now replaced with a modern light.
Be sure to visit the Cabo Espichel Lighthouse on Wednesday afternoons between 2 PM and 5.30 PM when it’s open.
The coast used to be known as the ‘black coast’, and Portugal’s lighthouses were built to help with navigation. At sea, the luminous range of the light is a whopping 48 kilometres, which is around 26 miles. Farol do Cabo Espichel was built in 1790 and is one of the oldest in Portugal.
Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel
The second famous building at Cabo Espichel is the pilgrimage sanctuary. Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel was built in 1701.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Espichel Cape is a religious complex that consists of a church, the Ermida da Memória, Hortas dos Peregrinos (vegetable gardens), Casa da Água (the water house) and even an opera house (Casa da Ópera).
Legend tells that the image of the Virgin Mary riding a giant mule appeared along the shores of Lagosteiros Bay in 1410. You will find the Ermida da Memória (the Memory Hermitage) at this location.
Due to its appearance in the Middle Ages, Our Lady of the Espichel Cape became a well-known pilgrimage site, and the Santuário de Nossa Senhora, including the church and chapel, was constructed.
Discover the entire complex
The complex grew with more and more visitors coming to Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel. Construction of the Our Lady of Espichel Cape occurred between 1701 and 1770. The church at Santuario de Nossa Senhora was constructed by order of King Dom Pedro II and was completed in 1707.
Take a look inside to admire the beautifully painted ceiling and religious artwork. Several times a year, special religious ceremonies are held at Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, which you can attend. Most pilgrimage church celebrations occur in March and April, August and September.
In front of the church, you will see the pilgrims’ accommodation, Casa dos Círios, or simply hostels. The accommodation on the site is no longer open to visitors, unfortunately. The water from the aqueduct was collected at Casa de Agua. It is conveniently located near the accommodation and the courtyard in front of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo church.
Ermida da Memória Chapel
Besides the church, you can visit the tiny chapel Ermida da Memória. Legend tells that the Virgin Mary, riding a giant mule, made an appearance along the dramatic coastline.
Both the Virgin Mary and the mule rose from the sea and climbed the cape’s cliffs, where you will find the small chapel Ermida da Memória today.
Once they arrived at the chapel, Mary disappeared, but the footsteps of the giant mule remained! They are not part of the Pedra da Mua dinosaur footprints.
Cabo Espichel dinosaur tracks
One of the most incredible attractions is the ancient dinosaur footprints! They date back to the Cretaceous period, around 65 to 145 million years ago! During the coastal walks along the cape, you can discover the dinosaur tracks yourself! Just the footprints are worth a visit to Nossa Senhora do Cabo!
There are two rows of tracks to find. The Pedra da Mua tracks are located on the rocks below the Ermida da Memorial Chapel. These are difficult to see, so binoculars will be helpful. The best viewpoint is from the opposite ridge, and these tracks are believed to date back to the Jurassic period.
The Lagosteiros dinosaur footprints are about a 20-minute round trip from the Nossa Senhora do Cabo church and are slightly farther away than the Pedra da Mua tracks. Theropods, a two-legged upright meat-eating dinosaur, leave these smaller Jazida tracks.
The tracks can be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. If you’ve booked an excursion, a guide can tell you much about the history and the trails. The route along the cliffs is, however, easy to follow.
Cabo Espichel Beach
You will see Praia dos Lagosteiros down below from the cliffs at the cape. It is a rocky beach that you can reach after a cliff walk. Swimming is possible, but there are no facilities or lifeguards at this beach.
If you want to spend some time on paradise beaches nearby, Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo is recommended. Or visit the Parque Natural da Arrábida and its stunning beaches, Praia da Figueirinha, Praia dos Coelhos, and Praia de Galapinhos.
How to reach Cabo Espichel?
From the Portuguese capital, there are several ways to reach this unique area.
By car
Lisbon is north of Cabo Espichel, and the easiest way to travel is by car. The journey will take around one hour, and renting a car will allow you to explore nearby places. Once you’ve crossed the famous Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, you can discover Costa da Caparica, for example. Costa da Caparica is a fantastic place with many beaches where you can swim.
There is a large car park at Cabo Espichel, which is free of charge. From here you can discover all the sights easily.
Nature lovers might enjoy exploring the rest of the peninsula and its beautiful landscape. Discover hiking trails and activities in Arrábida Nature Park or the nearby Sado Estuary.
Sesimbra and Setúbal are not to miss towns where you’re visiting! Do you still need to make your car rental reservations in Portugal? Check out the best deals on the DiscoverCars website below!
By train and bus
To reach Cabo Espichel by public transport is more challenging. There is a way, but you’ll need to switch several times, and the services are limited. You can take a train from Sete-Rios towards Setúbal and exit at Foros de Amora station.
From there, you can take line 3545 to Sesimbra and disembark at Santana-Jardim. Line 3205 will take you for the remainder of the trip, and for the last part, you’ll have to walk.
Travel time can be around 2 hours or more! Please note that the walk from the church to the lighthouse takes around 15 minutes one way. Check the Carris website for the latest timetables and routes.
With an organised tour
If you don’t want to rent a car or travel hours by public transport, organised tours will stop at Cabo Espichel. You will discover the sanctuary, the Farol landmark, and often nearby towns!
So, a tour will be unique and convenient if you plan to go to Sesimbra Castle, Arrabida Natural Park or Azeitão! Below are some of the most popular tours that often depart daily. Private tours are available, but you can also join a group tour!
Cabo Espichel restaurants
If you plan a cliff walk and want to spend some time here, bringing something to eat and drink is a great idea! But if you happen to get thirsty or hungry, you can also enjoy a bite to eat at the cafe ‘I Love Espichel’.
They are located next to Nossa Senhora do Cabo and are open daily except on Wednesdays. A few other restaurants are nearby, but Sesimbra is a great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Things to do near Cabo Espichel Portugal
When you plan your trip to the Cape, you can also include other nearby places of interest. Tips are the beach at Lagoa de Albufeira, the towns Setúbal and Sesimbra, Arrabida Natural Park with stunning landscapes and the wine town Azeitão.
Staying at the Setúbal Peninsula
If you want to stay in the area for a few days, you can rent an accommodation nearby. The area is quiet and perfect for nature lovers. If you prefer a bit more hustle and bustle around you, stay in towns like Sesimbra and Setúbal. The map below shows all available accommodations on the peninsula.
FAQ
How do I get from Lisbon to Cabo Espichel?
The easiest way to travel from Lisbon to Cabo Espichel is by car. This journey south will take around one hour. Bus Line 3205 is also available, taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, with several stops along the way.
Is visiting Cabo Espichel worth it?
It sure is! There are many things to see, such as the sanctuary, Farol do Cabo Espichel and dinosaur footprints!
Conclusion
Cabo Espichel is a great day out from the Portuguese capital! The cape is known for the Farol lighthouse, the sanctuary with a church and historical dinosaur footprints. If you happen to go to nearby places such as Sesimbra and Arrabida Natural Park, be sure to add the cape to your wish list. You can reach the area easily by car, but several tour operators also organise excursions.
Beautiful places south of Lisbon
- Things to do at Serra da Arrábida Natural Park, a natural paradise
- Discover the Sado River and estuary for a day of bird and dolphin watching
- Cabo Espichel: stunning views, a lighthouse, the sanctuary and ancient dinosaur tracks!
- Visit the stunning Sesimbra Castle, the place to overlook the Setúbal peninsula
- 25 Beautiful and best things to do in Setúbal
- From Lisbon to Évora, discover 20+ things to do
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