Sagres and Vila do Bispo:

History:

Due to it's position at the extreme south-westerly corner of continental Europe, Sagres and it's environs has a huge depth of history dating back millennia. At Sagres can be found be one of the largest areas of menhiers and megalithic construction in Europe. The area has of great importance also to the ancient cultures of the mediterranean as it marked the end of the known world. It was of key importance to shipping as any ships passing between the mediterranean and northern Europe would pass by this point. It is mentioned in classical literature as being an area of worship dedicated to Saturn and Hercules. Even under tIslamic rule Sagres was a site of pilgrimage, which later gave rise to the Christian legend of Saint Vincent of Zaragoza after whom cape St. Vincent is named.

Henry the Navigator came to acquire the town of Sagres and Neighbouring St. Vincent in 1443. Then the town lay abandoned and in ruins, due to the incessant raids by pirates from northern Europe. Henry the Navigator, realizing this point was of key strategic importance, both for controlling shipping and as a point to launch the Discoveries proceeded to rebuild and fortify the town. For this reason there exists the Fort at Sagres which was often attacked and even suffered great damage due to the tsunami accompanying the 1755 earthquake which was powerful enough to pass over the huge cliffs you can see at Sagres today. And hence due to it's frequent and drastic restorations what you seen to day has little to do with the original fort at Sagres.

Sport:

Sagres isn't a place for traditional field sports or anything of the sort. But it is of massive importance for extreme sports. Sports people can be found taking part in at Sagres or near by are: Windsurf, Surf, Bodyboard, Kite Board, Paragliding and Parapenting of the cliffs. In effect anything extreme goes. Sagres is also where the famous "Via Algarviana" terminates (A mountainous walking route) and where the EcoVia litoral begins (a coastal cycle).

Culture:

Sagres has many festivals through the year, although relatively small. Given it's popularity with people who do extreme sports culturally, it's dialled towards a younger crowd. We will keep you up dated on what might be happening at the time of your trip through your road book.

Nature:

Sagres and most of the municipality of Vila do Bispo of which it is a part are for the most part located in a huge nature reserve designated the “Costa Vincentina” which plays hos to many rare species of bird and plant

Beaches:

The municipality of Vila do Bispo is famous for it's beaches. To the north of Cape St. Vincent these beaches are very windy and wavy. They have a distinctive “Atlantic” feel about them. They are much more dramatic than anything on the south coast. The water tends to be colder also. Hence as places for bathing they may not be ideal. The beaches on the south coast, for example at Burgau tend to be smaller and warner and come with a blue flag. A summary of the various beaches can be found here:

https://www.cm-viladobispo.pt/portal_autarquico/vila_bispo/v_pt-PT/menu_turista/turismo/praias/