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Ominous, stark and in its time virtually impregnable, the massive front walls and two solid bastions are the impressive features of this 18th-century fort (Castles and Forts). Little else resembles a defensive structure today, except for the mighty cliffs themselves.

The foundations of this graceful 16th-century chapel are said to have been laid by Prince Henry the Navigator. Its whitewashed form faces Cabo de São Vicente.

The extraordinary giant wind rose, or wind compass – a device used for measuring the direction of the wind – is believed to have been built for Prince Henry. An impressive 43 m (141 ft) in diameter, the outline of the intriguing circle and its radiating points have been marked by pebbles.

A bracing walk can be enjoyed round the edge of the promontory. Next to the lighthouse is a vast blow hole where you can hear the pounding of the ocean as it crashes into the rocks far below.

This park’s wild and beautiful boundaries encompass nearly the entire western Algarve’s rugged coastline and serve to protect a complex ecosystem. The area also lies under a busy migratory flight path and is popular with bird-watchers and voracious peregrine falcons (Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina).

The forbidding look of this windblown cape is quite awe-inspiring. Greek historian Strabo, writing at the time of Christ, believed it to be the end “of all the inhabited earth”, and its austere cliff face seems to encourage such thoughts. See Western Region.

Perched vertiginously on a pinnacle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this 17th-century fort hugs a small chapel, which in turn marks the site of the ruined Igreja de Santa Catarina. There’s also a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant here.

A crumbling wall and arch are about all that remain of the harbour fortification, but the coastal view from the headland is superb.

Excavations near this cove at Martinhal, 2 km (1 mile) southwest of Sagres, have revealed enough Roman pottery kilns to suggest a prominent settlement. The kilns are still visible, but natural erosion has sent many tumbling seaward.

Starting near Monte dos Amantes, this 2-km (1-mile) circular walk passes a series ofmenhirs , or megaliths, monumental stones that date back to 3000 BC.