So, there we were in Montserrate, gazing at yet another picture-perfect scene that looked like it was ripped straight from a travel magazine. You know the type: a charming cobblestone street, a magnificent palace, and enough botanical gardens to make even the most botanist say, “I’m over it.” Don't get me wrong—Montserrate is stunning. But after ticking off all the architectural wonders of Sintra, we were desperately craving some adrenaline. Or at least, something that didn’t involve endless walking, deciphering 17th-century architectural styles, or pretending to care about yet another perfectly manicured greneries.
We visited Montserrate very early and was done by noon, with nothing else planned. We definitely didn't feel like going back to our hotel in Cascais, so, what did we do when we have nothing to do? Take a road trip, yep, it was exactly what I needed after all that culture. We needed to go somewhere—anywhere—that wasn’t another cutesy Pastel de Nata patisserie or souvenir shop. So, we jumped in the car, cranked up some tunes, and set off with a plan so vague it was practically non-existent: follow the rugged coastline and see what happens. Because let’s face it, when life gets dull, the best answer is always, “Just wing it and drive”.
The drive along the coast was an absolute stunner. The towering cliffs plunging dramatically into the Atlantic with waves crashing onto the rugged wall of stones. We made a few stops along the way just to absorb the view. It was windy, cold, and glorious.
Rugged coastline - endless picnic spots
If only we had known how incredible this coastline was, we would’ve packed a picnic. That’s the beauty of this area— the best views aren't always hogged by overpriced restaurants. Sure, there are restaurants around, but I’m all about the impromptu picnic life. Most of these places don’t even open until late and seem to only accept reservations from people with more dollar signs than we had in our wallets. So, picnic it was (or would have been, if we had been smart enough to bring one).
Luckily, we stumbled upon a tiny café with a jaw-dropping view that could make even the blandest sandwich taste like gourmet cuisine. The menu was as minimalistic as it gets—two kinds of sandwiches and a handful of drink options. But honestly, when you’ve got a view this stunning, who cares?
Daredevil cliff-fishing
Now, the dramatic cliff isn’t the only badass around here. We weren’t the only ones enjoying the dramatic cliffside views. There were a bunch of hardy locals fishing off the cliffs like it was no big deal, casting their lines into the abyss below. I found this impressive, borderlining with utterly insane. I mean, I got a case of the weak knees just looking at how far down the cliffs plunged before disappearing into the dark blue ocean. Meanwhile, these guys were perched on rocky ledges that looked like they might crumble into the sea at any moment, all while looking super casual about it. Brave? Definitely. Completely bonkers? Also yes.
Accidentally stumbled upon a fairy tale view: Azenhas Do Mar
After we’d had our fill of wind-whipped, cliffside contemplation, we continued our drive. That’s when we stumbled upon Azenhas do Mar, a village so picturesque it’s like it was plucked straight from a fairy tale. Azenhas do Mar is this ridiculously picturesque village perched on the cliffs, with whitewashed houses stacked. But it's not just that, at the bottom of the cliff there's a natural pool nestled among the rocks below. This pool is magic. This isn’t just any pool—this is a pool carved out by the Atlantic Ocean itself, a private, ocean-fed jacuzzi with salty sea breezes and panoramic views included, free of charge.
However, let’s be real—it was as windy as it gets, and the waves were crashing into the pool with a force that made me rethink even dipping a toe in. I’ll just admire from the sidelines, thank you very much. The pool looked less like a serene jacuzzi and more like a washing machine on spin cycle. But, of course, that didn’t stop a few brave souls from diving in, getting swished and swashed by the waves like fish in Darla's plastic bag from Finding Nemo. I watched, baffled, as they clung to the rocks, grinning like kids on a rollercoaster. Seriously, a helmet wouldn’t have been out of place.
Moral of the story: when boredom strike, have a roadtrip into the unknown
So, what did we learn today? Sometimes, when you're bored in a tourist trap and decide to drive off into the unknown, you might just end up at the edge of the world, watch some daredevil cliff-fishing, and find a secret seaside natural jacuzzi pool. Not a bad way to spend a day, right? Cascais might have its charms, but if you ask me, the real magic is just a few miles up the coast, where the roads are twisty, the cliffs are high, and the ocean is full of surprises.
Next up: I may or may not attempt to cliff-fish.
