Cabo Espichel Epic Day Trip Itinerary

Less than an hour’s drive south of Lisbon, Portugal, in the municipality of Sesimbra, is the remote, windswept, and lesser visited Cabo Espichel. In many ways, this cape reminds us of visiting Cabo da Roca in Sintra, with beautiful cliffside views, hikes down to Praia da Ursa, and a working lighthouse. In addition to the stunning views, cliffside hikes, and lighthouse, Cabo Espichel also has a deserted sanctuary, multiple dinosaur track sites, and an abandoned fort, all within walking distance. As a bonus, there are relatively few tourists and almost no large tours. Here is our epic day trip itinerary to Cabo Espichel, with hikes to dinosaur tracks, stunning cliffside views, cultural sights, and one of the oldest lighthouses in Portugal.

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Cabo Espichel Day Trip Itinerary

All of the Cabo Espichel sights listed here are free of charge, unless you choose to take a tour.

• Farol do Cabo Espichel
• Fort of São Domingos da Baralha
• Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel
• Ermida da Memória
• Casa da Água
• Walk with Dinosaurs
• Top Hikes at Cabo Espichel
• Optional Stop Visit the Beach Town of Sesimbra
• Getting to Cabo Espichel

Recommended Small Group Tours to Cabo Espichel

• Hiking tour along the West Coastline: Join a small group for a guided hike to the dramatic cliffs and fossilized dinosaur tracks at Cape Espichel, with insights into the area’s natural history. Check availability and the latest pricing below:

• Private Jeep Tour to Espichel: Explore the Arrábida region with a guided 4×4 tour that includes stops at Sesimbra Castle, dinosaur footprints, and Cape Espichel. Pickup available from Lisbon or Sesimbra. Check availability and the latest pricing below:

Farol do Cabo Espichel

The Farol, built in 1790, stands watch over the rugged coastline, shining its light 35 km out to sea. This hexagonal lighthouse was built on the site of a former monk’s beacon, which dated back to as early as 1430. This new lighthouse was part of the Lighthouse Service, initiated by the Marquis of Pombals after the earthquake of 1755.

If you’d like to stretch your legs, we’d suggest parking in the large free lot next to the Sanctuary. From there, walk along the dirt road or one of the main hiking tracks to the lighthouse (approximately 10-15 minutes). For those who’d prefer to drive, there is also a free parking lot next to the lighthouse. Take time to explore the lighthouse grounds and enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. We found that the Farol do Cabo Espichel looks incredibly similar to the Farol da Guia in Cascais.

Pro tip: if you’d like to go inside, the Portuguese Navy opens the lighthouse to the public on Wednesdays from 2-5 pm.

Fort of São Domingos da Baralha

About a 5-10 minute walk west of the lighthouse area, you’ll find the ruins of the Forte de São Domingos da Baralha. While this is a fairly easy path, it is uneven and rolling in parts, so may not be suitable for those with mobility issues,

The Fort of São Domingos da Baralha was part of Portugal’s 17th-century coastal defense system. It was built to defend the coast from pirates and to protect the nearby pilgrimage site. The fort is not maintained, so you’ll find crumbling walls and some graffiti. While the condition of the fort was a bit disappointing, we still enjoyed exploring its crumbling stone walls and bastions. The wildflowers and stunning ocean views from the cliffs make this a wonderful photo spot or spot for a picnic, when it’s not too windy. It can get very windy here (and throughout Cabo Espichel)!

Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel

The next stop on our day trip itinerary is the deserted Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel. The sanctuary was built to honor the image of the Virgin Mary riding on a mule, which two elderly men saw in the 13th century. Dating back to the early 1700’s, the sanctuary became one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage sites, designed to support thousands of pilgrims. Unfortunately, it is now deserted, though it’s a beautiful spot to explore. We’d love to see the sanctuary restored. It would be an incredible stop on the Portuguese Camino.

Don’t miss visiting the:

• Main church, with its striking baroque façade and tiled interior,
• Former pilgrim lodging, built in long colonnaded arcades on either side of the courtyard,
• Opera house ruins and water cistern hidden behind the church.

Ermida da Memória

A short walk from the main sanctuary leads you to a coastal overlook and to the Ermida da Memória. This small 15th-century chapel is perched on the cliff’s edge. This is the original site of the Virgin Mary apparition legend, where two elderly men claimed to see the Virgin riding a mule up the rocky cliffs.

Look inside the chapel to see the 17th-century azulejos tiles, which depict the pilgrimage and vision. The chapel’s precarious location, overlooking the crashing Atlantic, makes it one of the most popular photo spots on the cape.

Casa da Água

Many overlook the Casa da Água, which sits just behind the sanctuary (away from the ocean). This 18th-century cistern and aqueduct system brought fresh water to pilgrims and residents. This was critical in solving the challenge of Cabo Espichel’s remote, dry location. While you cannot go inside, you can still see the remnants of the aqueduct leading inland and the structure of the water distribution house itself.

If you are planning to walk from the sanctuary to the dinosaur tracks, you’ll walk right by the Casa da Água.

Walk with Dinosaurs

Cabo Espichel is well known for its dinosaur tracks. The two most famous are:

• Pedra da Mua: Late Jurassic sauropod tracks running across the cliff face that sits under the Ermida da Memória. These were once thought to be miraculous mule prints by pilgrims.
• Lagosteiros Viewpoint: Early Cretaceous tracks that are a bit easier to view.

The best way to visit the dinosaur tracks is to take the Cabo Espichel Sanctuary – Natural Monument of Pedra da Mula trail. It is 3.2 miles long (just over 5 km), with 449 ft (137 m) of elevation gain. Average time to complete the trail is 1 hr 23 minutes. It’s an easy walk, which can be connected to other cliff side trails for a longer hike.

Our honest review: the hike to the tracks offers stunning views along the coast. The Pedra da Mua dinosaur tracks were a bit disappointing, as they are very hard to make out from the viewpoint (see photo below). Bring binoculars if you’d like a better view of these distant tracks.

Top Hikes at Cabo Espichel

Beyond the dinosaur hike, there are quite a few beautiful hike options in the area. Links to the Alltrails maps are included below.

• Cabo Espichel – Casa da Ronca – Farol do Cabo Espichel: This moderate 2.7 mile (4.3 km) hike takes you past the 1st 4 stops on our itinerary. Be sure to stick to the main trails. We took a “shortcut” on an unmarked trail and ended up walking up a very steep cliff face.

• Grande Rota do Cabo Espichel: This challenging 9.4 mile (15.1 km) loop trail is perfect for experienced hikers. The coastal views are incredible!

We love hiking in this area in spring when the flowers are in bloom.

Optional Stop: Visit the Beach Town of Sesimbra

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat or a place to stay for the night near Cabo Espichel, Sesimbra is a convenient choice. Just 20 minutes from Cabo Espichel, Sesimbra is a charming fishing town known for:

• Beautiful beaches like Praia do Ouro and Praia da Califórnia. For those looking for a wilder beach, Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo is reached by walking down a steep cliff path or via a boat transfer.
• Walk up from town to Sesimbra Castle, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the coast.
• A relaxed promenade perfect for strolling, enjoying seafood, gelato, or a drink with a view.
• Kayaking tours to seaside caves within the Arrábida Natural Park.

Search for lodging in and around Sesimbra below:

Getting to Cabo Espichel

• By Car: Approximately a 45-minute drive from Lisbon
• Public Transport: Take the bus from Lisbon to Sesimbra, then transfer to bus 3205 to Cabo Espichel. Total journey time is 2 hours 30 min to over 3 hours. The bus stops directly at the parking lot next to the Sanctuary.
• Private or Small Group Tours are a great alternative for those who prefer to not drive a car, given how long it takes using public transport.

We use and recommend DiscoverCars.com for our car rentals. Search for your car rental below:

Cabo Espichel Visit Wrap-Up

Whether you’re tracing the steps of ancient dinosaurs, exploring centuries-old sanctuaries, or simply soaking in the dramatic coastal scenery, Cabo Espichel offers a day trip rich in history, nature, and breathtaking views.

Additional Cabo Espichel Tips:

• . 
• Where to Eat: For a meal with a view, visit the nearby café “I Love Espichel,” with its traditional Portuguese dishes and refreshments next to the sanctuary.
• Best Time to Visit: Afternoons are ideal for viewing the dinosaur tracks due to optimal sunlight angles. The western coast is ideal for capturing sunsets.
• What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, water, sun protection, and a camera to capture the stunning landscapes. It is frequently windy in this area, so be sure to bring an extra layer to keep you warm. Refer to our day hike checklist for a full list of essentials for your day hikes at Cabo Espichel.

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