Today my goal was to reach the tip of Ponta de Sagres.
At first glance, the trek from the town center to the end of the peninsula felt immensely intimidating. The land mass is so far away it gives the illusion of being painted on an imaginary wall far off in the distance - much like you would see in old video games. When I finally left the city, I had a completely unobstructed view for miles in every direction and immediately I had a very deep appreciation for the sheer distance I would have to traverse just to make it to the end.
The trek took me approximately an hour and a half to complete, but thanks to the strong breeze, the walk was immensely enjoyable and I could hardly tell it was 85ºF outside. I couldn’t help but smile as I took in the wondrously beautiful day - the sun was out an shining, a cool breeze filled the air, no humidity, and not a single cloud in the sky! My entire walk was quiet and relaxing, there wasn’t a single boat in the harbor and all the other tourists chose to take the bus out to the peninsula instead of walking. It was just me and the mesmerizing landscape.
Halfway down the Ponta de Sagres there is a large fortification called the Fortaleza de Sagres that spans the width of the peninsula and blocks tourists from reaching the very end of the headland. This simple, yet imposing citadel was originally constructed to defend the city and protect the two adjacent beaches. The complex boasts a vast array of cannon batteries that line the East and West sides of the peninsula. During an attack, these cannons would work in tandem with others located on Cabo de São Vicente and mainland Sagres to create a deadly crossfire for any would-be invaders.