Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Cabo Da Roca

Posted by Alex Turnbull, Wednesday, 7th September 2005

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This is Cabo Da Roca (Cape Roca), Portugal, which is the very westernmost point of mainland Europe. You can see the lighthouse perched on the cliff-top, and also what looks like a viewing area on the cliff-edge.

Cabo Da Roca

Doesn’t look very warm there though if you ask me… which is a shame because I’m going to Portugal tomorrow! Don’t worry, I’m sure James and Olly will look after you guys :-D Have a nice week!

Thanks to Manuel Freitas and florian.

15 Responses to 'Cabo Da Roca'

  1. Tony says:

    It may depend of the definition of Europe but the Latrabjarg cliff in Iceland is already known for beeing the westernmost point of europe. little history of the place : http://www.exploreiceland.is/exploreiceland/main_attractions/westfjords/latrabjarg/
    and the google map point (badly in low res) :
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  2. Alex says:

    My apologies Tony, I meant to say ‘mainland’ Europe. Post updated, thanks.

  3. João says:

    - Hi

    I’m from Lisbon, and if you need any kind of help in your stay in Portugal, just try to contact me.

    Enjoy your stay …

  4. Mizo says:

    Check out the fire that is burning just to the ENE of the place. It’s taking up a lot of area with it’s smoke, and is very noticable if you zoom out.

  5. Adam says:

    I visited this place last week… generally, the weather is pretty warm these days but expect strong winds when looking down from the cliff-top.

    Some interesting locations nearby:

    Palacio da Pena in Sintra, part of the world heritage (not very impressive from above, a beautiful location nevertheless):
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    Estoril race track, was a Formula 1 track, now used for MotoGP and others:
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    Casino Estoril, the largest in Europe:
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  6. Pedro says:

    Hi, I just want to wish you a nice stay here in Portugal! :)

  7. Andre says:

    If you go north on the map, you can see one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal,
    Praia da Ursa. Its absolutely gorgeous and secluded though the hike down can be a bit tough…

  8. Andre says:

    If you go north on the map just a bit, you can see one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal,
    Praia da Ursa. it is esconced on each end by two huge boulders in the water on one end of the beach and two smaller ones on the other…

    Its absolutely gorgeous and secluded though the hike down can be a bit tough…

  9. Wes says:

    It isn’t true, the westernmost point of europe is Cabo Finisterre (Latin: Finis Terrae) in Galicia, Spain

  10. Manuel Freitas says:

    Check again, Wes. Cabo da Roca is 12 minutes to the west of Cabo Finisterra. That’s 15 km to the left, enough to settle all claims.

  11. João Pedrosa says:

    WES: LOL
    you need to use some accurate maps.

    About the place:
    very nice place specialty at night with strong winds :)
    i go there almost every week, just to stay there for a couple of minutes looking to the sea&moon.

    also the way to go there … a very nice road to who enjoys driving.

  12. Go Wes, Go says:

    15km… LOL.

    Cabo Finisterre (Finis Terrae = “The End of the Earth”) has already been awarded the honors a long time ago… by the romans

    Moreover, the highest cliffs in Europe are also in Galicia, Spain… look closer (on the northern coast)

  13. Manuel Freitas says:

    Romans didn’t have Googlus Mapus to check their geography skills, did they? :-) Now, should we ask the Spanish Government to kindly change Cabo Finisterra’s name or shall we leave it as is?

    Anyway, check back in a couple hundred years. The situation will certainly be different due to sea erosion and silting up. Like this spot that was a fishing village in the 14th Century and is now way inland due to silting: Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  14. Sérgio says:

    Sorry to dig up such and old subject, but actually if you consider europe as a whole (islands included) Fajã Grande, on Flores, (Azores), would be the westernmost part of Europe – not Latrabjarg cliff in Iceland.
    Keeping on apollogies for such a old subject, Cape Finisterre isn’t the westernmost part of Spain, that would be Cabo de Touriñán.

  15. Kat says:

    hey does anyone know anything about the light house? Like when it was built or whom it was built by?

    Thanks!
    Kat

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