A tiny fishing village and a mystical cape
Sesimbra is a tiny fishing
village in a sheltered bay overlooked by a Moorish castle that also encloses a 12th century church
and affords wonderful views from its ramparts.
In the old town is a 17th century fort overlooking the sea, a good
starting point for a scenic walk before hitting the beach that, although
crowded in the summer, has unpolluted waters ideal for swimming.
In late afternoon the fishing boats return and there's a fish auction on the
dockside. That same fresh fish can be sampled at one of the several
restaurants along the shore.
A short drive or a 30-minute bus journey from Sesimbra leads to windswept
Cabo Espichel, quite a mystical and eerie cape. The views of the
coast and ocean are stunning, with cliffs dropping almost vertically several
hundred feet into the Atlantic.
In such a dramatic and pristine setting, it is not surprising that large
dinosaur footprints were found nearby on Lagosteiros Beach.
The cape was once an important pilgrimage site, and there is an abandoned
17th century convent that will soon be turned into a pousada. Behind
it is a domed chapel with tile panels depicting fishing scenes.
Sesimbra can be reached by buses that leave several times during the day from Setúbal, or
from Lisbon's Praça de Espanha terminal.
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Places Nearby
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Setubal
- Busy port; the birthplace of Manueline architecture; dolphin watching
Arrábida
- Mediterranean vegetation by the Atlantic.
Azeitão
- Sleepy village with fine mansions and wine
Lisbon - The
Age of Discovery, World Heritage monuments, museum treasures, vibrant
nightlife
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