‌

How to get to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon made easy

Cabo da Roca lies roughly 40 kilometres west of Lisbon, close enough for a half-day escape, yet far enough to feel like you’ve slipped off the edge of the map. Depending on how you travel, the journey takes about one to one-and-a-half hours. Most visitors piece it together via a Lisbon to Cabo da Roca train followed by a short bus ride, while others opt for the slower but simpler Lisbon to Cabo da Roca bus. Driving gives you coastal freedom, and guided tours remove all guesswork. Whichever route you choose, Atlantic views welcome you!

Lisbon to Cabo da Roca: Time & distance

  • From Lisbon: 40 km / 25 mi
  • By train: 1 hour 15 minutes (Rossio → Sintra, then local bus to Cabo da Roca) 
  • By bus: 1 hour 30 minutes (Direct routes from Lisbon via Cascais/Sintra, traffic-dependent)
  • By car: 1 hour (Coastal or inland routes; no stops)
  • By tour (round trip): 8 to 9.5 hours (Including time at Cabo da Roca, often paired with Sintra and Cascais)

How to get to Cabo da Roca by guided tours (Recommended)

If you’re wondering how to get to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon without juggling train changes, bus schedules, or coastal parking stress, a guided day trip is the most effortless option. Cabo da Roca isn’t hard to reach, but stitching it into a smooth day with Sintra or Cascais can be tricky on your own. Tours solve that friction neatly.

  • No transport puzzles: Skip figuring out the Lisbon to Cabo da Roca train connections or timing the Lisbon to Cabo da Roca bus, as transfers are handled end to end.
  • Smarter routing: Most tours sequence Sintra → Cabo da Roca → Cascais, avoiding backtracking and wasted travel time.
  • Time efficiency: See Europe’s westernmost point without sacrificing half your day to logistics.
  • Context on the way: Guides add stories and geography that bring the cliffs, coastline, and landmarks to life.
  • Peak-season relief: Air-conditioned transport and reserved timing matter when buses are full, and roads clog up.

How to get to Cabo da Roca by train

Taking the Lisbon to Cabo da Roca train is the most popular independent route, especially for travelers who want flexibility without renting a car. While there’s no single train that drops you at the cliffs, the journey is straightforward when broken into two steps, and it’s often the cheapest way to figure out how to get to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon.

  • Route: Trains run from Rossio Station in central Lisbon to Sintra Station
  • Duration: 40 minutes (train) + 30 minutes (bus) from Sintra
  • Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes during the day
  • Last mile: From Sintra station, take bus 403 toward Cascais/Cabo da Roca
  • Best for: Budget travelers, flexible schedules
  • Cons: Standing-room trains at peak hours; bus delays near the coast
  • Tip: Trains get crowded after 9:30 am, especially in summer and on weekends. Buy a return ticket in Lisbon to avoid long queues later. Also, the bus connection can be slow in peak traffic, so build in buffer time if you’re chasing sunset views.

How to get to Cabo da Roca by bus

If you’re looking for a simple, low-cost answer to getting to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon, the bus is the most direct public option. Several routes connect Lisbon, Cascais, and Sintra with Cabo da Roca, making the Lisbon to Cabo da Roca bus appealing for travelers who prefer a one-seat ride.

  • Route: Bus 403 (Sintra ↔ Cascais via Cabo da Roca) from Sintra Station or Cascais Bus Terminal
  • Duration: 30–45 minutes from Sintra; longer from Cascais
  • Frequency: Roughly every 30–40 minutes
  • Best for: Budget travelers, direct routes
  • Cons: Traffic delays, crowded buses in peak season
  • Tip: The Lisbon to Cabo da Roca bus route is scenic but slow-moving on weekends and summer afternoons, when traffic stacks up along the coast. It’s affordable but not the fastest if you’re tight on time.

How to get to Cabo da Roca by car/self-drive

Driving is the most flexible way to reach Cabo da Roca from Lisbon, especially if you want to explore the coastline at your own pace. The trip takes about 1 hour without stops, following either the scenic coastal route via Cascais or a faster inland drive through Sintra. A car lets you pair Cabo da Roca with stops in Cascais, Praia da Ursa, or quiet coastal viewpoints that buses skip.

  • Route: Coastal: Lisbon → Cascais → Cabo da Roca (views, slower)
  • Parking: Small, free parking areas near the lighthouse; fills mid-day quickly
  • Best for: Groups, photographers, flexible itineraries
  • Cons: Parking pressure, traffic, hidden costs
  • Tip: In summer, arriving early or late in the day makes all the difference.

Compare your options

Mode of transportTravel timeEstimated costBest forKey notes

Guided tour

8 to 9.5-hour round trip

€36 to €64

First-timers, stress-free travel

Transport + smart routing; often paired with Sintra & Cascais

Train + bus

1.15 hours

€5 to €8

Budget DIY travelers

Cheapest way; busy after 9:30 am

Bus

1.15 hours

€4 to €6

Direct public transport

Traffic delays on weekends

Car

1 hour

€25+

Groups, photographers

Traffic delays on weekends

Getting around in Cabo da Roca

  • On foot: Once you arrive, everything is walkable. Short gravel paths connect the bus stop, parking area, lighthouse, and viewpoints. Allow 20–30 minutes to wander, linger, and take photos. But brace for strong Atlantic winds year-round.
  • By bus: If you’ve arrived via public transport, the same bus that brought you here is your way out. Services run regularly, but late afternoons can mean longer waits, especially in peak season. Always check the return schedule before exploring too far.
  • By car: If you’re driving, move your car as little as possible. Parking is limited and informal, and the narrow access roads aren’t built for constant circling. Park once, explore on foot, and leave when you’re ready to continue along the coast.

Things to do in Cabo da Roca

Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
1/5

Stand at the edge of mainland Europe

There’s a small stone marker that tells you you’ve reached the westernmost point of mainland Europe. It’s easy to miss. What isn’t easy to miss is everything else: the wind, the drop, the sound of the Atlantic crashing far below.

Walk the clifftop paths

Cabo da Roca is all about moving a few steps, stopping, and realizing the view just got better. The paths hug the cliffs, opening up different angles of the coastline every few minutes. No railings, no crowds funelled into one spot. Just space, sky, and a lot of salt in the air.

Visit the lighthouse area

The lighthouse is still working, still doing its job, still unmoved by the fact that everyone’s here for photos. The area around it is where the views open up the most, especially when clouds roll in and out. Some days it’s bright and blue; other days it’s grey, moody, and even better.

Chase golden-hour views

Midday Cabo da Roca is fine. Late-afternoon Cabo da Roca is the one you remember. The light softens, the cliffs warm up in color, and the crowds thin out. Sunset can be dramatic, but even if you miss it, that last hour is magic. Bring a jacket. Always.

Go down to Praia da Ursa

Just north of Cabo da Roca, a steep trail drops to Praia da Ursa. It’s not a casual stroll, and it’s not for everyone. But if you’re steady on your feet, it leads to one of the wildest beaches near Lisbon with big rocks, strong waves, and very few people.

Suggested itinerary for Cabo da Roca

  • If you’re joining a guided day trip, Cabo da Roca is rarely the first stop. Most tours begin in Sintra, heading straight to Pena Palace while the light is good and crowds are manageable. 
  • From there, the route usually continues to Quinta da Regaleira, where you’ll have time to explore the gardens and the famous Initiation Well before leaving town.
  • After Sintra, the tour shifts gears and heads toward the coast. This is when you reach Cabo da Roca, arriving just as the crowds thin and the light becomes more dramatic. 
  • You’ll have time to walk the clifftop paths, visit the lighthouse area, and take in the Atlantic views without feeling rushed.
  • Most day trips continue south along the coast to Cascais. It’s an easy, relaxed final stop. Time for a seaside walk, coffee, or a late lunch before returning to Lisbon in the evening.
  • If you’re not on a guided tour, flip the order. Visit Cabo da Roca later in the day and build Sintra or Cascais around it. The cliffs are at their best when the day slows down.

Handy tips 

  • Best timing: Cabo da Roca is at its best from late afternoon onward. If you’re traveling independently, aim to arrive after 3:30pm for softer light and fewer people. Midday can feel rushed and crowded.
  • If you’re on a day trip: Expect the order to be Sintra → Pena Palace → Quinta da Regaleira → Cabo da Roca → Cascais. Cabo da Roca comes after Sintra, not before. Plan your energy (and layers) accordingly.
  • Wind is not optional: It’s almost always windy at the cliffs, even on warm days. Bring a light jacket or windbreaker, especially if you’re staying for sunset.
  • Public transport reality check: If you’re relying on the bus or combining a Lisbon to Cabo da Roca train with a bus, always check the last return times before lingering too long, as services thin out in the evening.
  • Driving smart: If you’re self-driving, avoid peak midday hours. Parking fills fast, and narrow roads near the lighthouse make turning around frustrating. Arrive early or late, park once, walk everywhere.
  • Footwear matters: The paths are uneven and exposed. Sneakers are fine; sandals and slippery soles are not, especially if you’re tempted by the trail down to Praia da Ursa.

Frequently asked questions about how to get to Cabo da Roca from Lisbon

The cheapest way to figure out how to get to Cabo da Roca is by public transport. Most budget travelers take the Lisbon to Cabo da Roca train to Sintra and then connect by local bus. This combo costs only a few euros and works well if you’re flexible with timing.