Coast line and mountain Sintra-Cascais
This is a testimony of a peaceful walk along the coast and the mountain of the municipalities of Sintra and Cascais. With a pleasant temperature of 23 degrees Celsius, we left the city of Agualva-Cacém in the municipality of Sintra to Azenhas do Mar beach, about 24 kilometers away.
Azenhas do Mar beach is part of the coast of the slopes of Sintra. As we walk along its beautiful viewpoint we were delighted by the fantastic view of the surrounding environment.
The low tide with the calm sea has exposed the imposing and beautiful cliffs more visibly as well as the oceanic pool in a picturesque setting with the white houses on top of one of the cliffs.
The village of Azenhas do Mar has grown up around the 1930s with the expansion of the tram line that in the past connected to the village of Sintra.
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After a coffe and some refreshing drinks, we have visited the Maçãs (apples) and Grande Rodizío beaches respectively two and four kilometers from Azenhas do Mar beach.
Maçãs beach is attractive for surfing and it is said that in old days apples were transported to the beach area through a stream and hence the name of Maçãs (apples) beach.
About Grande Rodízio beach it has a wide sandy area and it is very popular in the summer
About three kilometers from Grande Rodízio beach we have visited the Almoçageme local market of fresh fruits and vegetables and also some handicrafts.
We then progressed our way further to Convent of the Capuchos in the Mountain of Sintra of about seven kilometers.
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The Convent of the Capuchos was founded by D. Álvaro de Castro in 1560 of the Order of Fransciscans and ceased to be their home in 1834. It is a monument of simple construction with reduced spaces inspired by the Fransciscan spiritual and fraternity philosophy.
However the area around it is very beautiful and calm with the immense vegetation and the huge granitic rocks of the Sintra Mountain. It is considered a World Heritage Site.
A little further ahead it is the Portaria which is the entrance of the convent.
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From the Portaria going up some stairs gives access to eight tiny cells of the friars who lived there as well as the refectory and Casa das Águas (Water Houses) that was the convent’s bathroom.
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When we left the compartments of the convent, we have noticed the great contrast of the dark interior with the light in the exterior where the Cloister area is located. It is a beautiful space that was intended for meetings between the Franciscan community.
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We also went around the convent a little. There, the primitive nature of Sintra Mountain stands out and between ups and downs tracks led us to the grotto of Friar Honório.
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We have walked a little further and we have seen the former farm of the Convent of the Capuchos where tables are available to eat and rest before leaving the convent.
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The ups and downs path, around the Convent of the Capuchos as well as its labyrinthine interior…it was necessary to restore energy! That’s what we did. We then went to lunch to at the Refúgio da Roca restaurant, in the village of Azóia near Cape of Roca, about ten kilometers from the Convent of the Capuchos. The chosen dishes were grilled cuttlefish, spare ribs, secretos of meat pork and cod fish on the tile. Everything was delicious.
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As we were at Cape of Roca we couldn’t fail to visit the westernmost geographical point of continental Europe with a fantastic panoramic view. From the Refúgio da Roca restaurant to the panoramic view of Cape of Roca it is about two kilometers.
It is a place that inspires peace and tranquility. It has a beautiful natural landscape with imposing cliffs and with the sea getting lost in the horizon of the blue sky.
At the entrance to the panoramic view of Cape of Roca there is a beautiful and oldest lighthouse in Portugal.
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The monument that marks the westernmost geographical point of the continental Europe is in the central part of the panoramic view. It is one of the writings “where the land ends and the sea begins” by the poet the Portuguese poet Luís de Camões.
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To complement the beauty of Cape of Roca part of the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais stands out.
Before visiting the village of Cascais the last place in our tour, we passed by the beautiful Guincho beach about twelve kilometers of Cape of Roca. It is a popular beach and internationally known by surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.
We then left for Cascais about ten kilometers from Guincho beach. We have visited the Mouth of Hell caves where the force of sea waves has shaped the beautiful rocks landscape over time.
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And then to end our tour we went further to the center of the magical village of Cascais where we still had time on the way to take a photo to the Palace Museum of the Count of Guimarães with its Moorish influence arches. From the Mouth of Hell to center of Cascais it is about two kilometers.
The magical village of Cascais presents a very beautiful setting in particular the Cascais bay with its emblematic fortress. Also the palm trees along the bay give that special and unique charm to Cascais bay.
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The coast and the Natural Park of Sintra-Cascais continue to surprise for their natural beauty landscape as well as lead us to the historic Franciscan Convent of the Capuchos surrounded by the tranquility and peace of the primitive Sintra Mountain.
We hope that the testimony of pleasure and joy that we feel in this tour will help our readers and travel lovers to better discover those places.
References parques de Sintra
Thanks to Manuel Manero for blogging recommendations
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