There are hidden beaches and coves all along the southern coast of Portugal…too many to visit during this short 4 day trip. The next beach we visited was not hidden but you had to wade across a river and then hike up a sand dune to get Praia do Bordeira (Praia means beach). What’s up with that? We had heard that this beach might be deserted but a new boardwalk was put in place which makes the area a lot more accessible. That and a little press helps, but still very empty since the summer season is still a few weeks away.
Our first choice for a late lunch was Restaurante-do-Cabrita which is famous for their barnacles but they were closed so drove to the town of Sagres and ate at a restaurant on the harbor above their fish market called SnackBar Restaurante A Sereia– very casual place but fresh off the boat fish and seafood. Douglas and I split this beautiful Turgot grilled with octopus salad.
When we left they were still uploading fresh seafood from the boats.
The town of Sagres is known to have had a navigation & cartography school established by Prince Henry the Navigator who helped fund several explorations. He is known as the person who started the ‘ Age of Discovery’. He, his father and brother explored northern Morroco and began a trading of gold and probably slaves. During his lifetime he funded several trade expeditions and his work probably inspired Vasco da Gama to become the first European sailor to reach India in 1498. Before then, to get to India and its spices required going overland where every middle-man along the way took a cut of the profits that the trading provided. So now merchants could bring the spices back to Portugal et al and still sell it at the inflated price, but keep all the profits for god and country. Sagres is also the home of Sagres beer which seemed to be available all over the southern coast.
FYI- Columbus had also approached Portugal to fund his expedition but they refused and he finally got funding from Spain to look for a different route to India. Instead he wound up in America.
Our next stop was Cape St. Vincent which the Romans called the ‘End of the World” since since it is the southernmost tip of Europe and they did not have the ship technology and sea knowledge to travel across oceans like the Atlantic.
Between Sagres and the lighthouse is Fort Beliche:
