Cabo Espichel

So ever heard of Cabo Espichel, if not you'll find some interesting information here.

  It's on the southwestern tip Setubal Peninsula and has wind-blasted landscapes and towering cliffs.

Here you'll find a number of interesting tourist attractions, the five major tourist attractions are:-

• The Santuario de Nossa Senhora and the pilgrim’s accommodation. 

• The lighthouse (Farol do Cabo Espichel)  
• The small the Chapel of Ermida da Memória
• The Pedra da Mua dinosaur tracks.
• The Lagosteiros dinosaur footprints.

A visit of about two hours (time included for a drink and something to bite) and you could easily see the Santuario de Nossa Senhora, the Ermida da Memória and the lighthouse (a 10-minute walk from the chapel). It is a 20-minute walk around the cliffs to the Lagosteiros dinosaur footprints, and this route passes the only safe place to view the Pedra da Mua tracks. 

It is said that the  most fascinating vision occurred in the 15th century, when an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared riding a giant mule, and ascended the steep cliffs from the ocean. On reaching the top of the cliffs (and more significantly the Chapel of Ermida da Memória) Mary vanished, leaving just the footprints of the giant mule. These giant mule tracks actually do exist, and can be seen as part of the Pedra da Mua.

The Santuario de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel was constructed under the direction of King Dom Pedro II in 1701 and was consecrated in 1707. 

The first lighthouse was constructed in 1430, but the current 32m tower dates from 1790. On a clear night, the light from Cabo Espichel Lighthouse can be seen for 35km out to sea.

The Pedra da Mua tracks are embedded within the grey and sheer cliffs, directly below the Chapel of Ermida da Memória. These tracks were primarily formed by a herd Sauropods (colossal four-legged dinosaurs) and include juvenile footprints

 The Lagosteiros footprints were formed during the Cretaceous period, from a series of Theropod and Ornithopod dinosaurs, with the most interesting prints from a running dinosaur.

How to get there:  It is best to drive to the Cabo Espichel as there is very poor public transport. At the Cabo Espichel there is a large free car park (GPS: 38.419609, -9.21328) and a secondary one closer to the hiking routes to the dinosaur footprints (GPS: 38.42042, -9.20815). The drive from Sesimbra takes 20 minutes and follows the N379, while Setubal is a 50-minute drive away.

From here we live (Corroios) it takes about 46 mins by car.

After Cabo Espichel we took a drive to Sesimbra and due to it being choc n block with people we decided to go and have lunch at Freddo 😎