Vila do Bispo: Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina
The natural reserve of the Costa Vicentina - the western coast of the Algarve and southern Alentejo
The Algarvian western coast between Cabo de São Vicente near Sagres and Odexeice, bordering to the Alentejo.
The so-called "Costa Vicentina", the western coast of the Algarve stretches over more than 60 km from Cape St.Vincent, the south-western most corner of the European continent, to Odeceixe on the Algarve-Alentejo border. The rugged rocks of the steep coast are interrupted by small sandy bays. The climate is harsher than other parts of the Algarve and the surging swell from the Atlantic is spectacular, attracting surfers and paragliders in particular.
Around Vila do Bispo and Raposeira, neolithic menhires have been found, human footprints which are almost 5000 years old. In historical times this area was already considered sacred as the end of the known world.
The landscape is still generally unspoilt by the tourism and rich in flora and fauna species. The Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e da Costa Vicentina with 70.000 ha it is one of Portugal's largest natural reserves. The Reserva Biogenética de Sagres between Cabo de São Vicente and Ponta de Sagres there is a unique ecological system, which attracts ornithologists from all over the world during the Autumn.
