Name and Location

The Cabo da Roca Lighthouse, also known as Farol do Cabo da Roca, is situated at Europe's westernmost mainland point on the dramatic coast west of Sintra, Portugal.

2. Construction and History

Built in the late 18th century, this historic landmark still guides vessels in the approaches to Lisbon. The official name is Farol do Cabo da Roca, and it was first lit around 1772. The lighthouse has been listed as a man-made historic landmark and is within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and the UNESCO-designated Cultural Landscape of Sintra.

3. Architecture and Materials

The tower is a circular masonry structure with a lantern room and gallery, built using whitewashed local stone and lime mortar. The height of the tower above its base is 22 meters, and the site elevation is 165 meters above mean sea level.

4. Light and Navigation

The lighthouse has a focal height of approximately 187 meters above sea level (tower height plus cliff elevation) and a light range of 25.9 nautical miles (approximately 48 km). The light characteristic is a single white flash every five seconds. The lighthouse is fully automated, but the exact date of automation is not specified.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The grounds are freely open daily, with no admission fee. However, the tower interior is closed for safety reasons. Facilities include a parking area, interpretive panels, and a small monument marking "Where the land ends and the sea begins." Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged coastline, as well as ships on the horizon and the Berlenga Islands to the southwest.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The Cabo da Roca Lighthouse is situated within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, which offers hiking trails such as the Rota da Ponta do Sal. Visitors can also explore the historic town of Sintra (palaces, gardens) approximately 18 kilometers east.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Locals and visitors often quote Luís de Camões when facing the sea here: "Pois bem sei que em bons quartos fica / Este rochedo duro, este cabo escuro..." ("I know full well that good quarters remain on this hard rock, this dark cape...") – a poetic testament to its mythic status as "where the land ends and the sea begins."

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Directorate of Lighthouses, Portuguese Navy (Direção de Faróis, Marinha Portuguesa), and currently serves as an active coastal lighthouse and public monument. There is no public record of AIS or radar installation.

9. Further Information

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabo_da_Roca_Lighthouse
Wikipedia (Português): https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farol_do_Cabo_da_Roca
Wikidata: Q5015743
Wikimedia Commons: Category:Cabo da Roca Lighthouse
"Faróis de Portugal," Directorate of Lighthouses, Portuguese Navy (online catalogue)
Sintra-Cascais Natural Park visitor guides