Azoia is a quaint village in the district of Leira that has maintained a genuine rural charm. Surrounded by flora typical of the Serra de Sintra but perched on the edge of the Atlantic, it is an ideal place for countryside strolls. A stone’s throw away is Cabo da Roca—mainland Europe’s westernmost point. A lighthouse, originally built in 1772, sits dramatically atop the cape’s jutting cliffs.
North of Cabo da Roca, the natural parkland extends through the villages of Praia Grande, Praia das Maçãs, and Azenhas do Mar. The first two have good beaches, and the latter is a postcard come to life, with whitewashed cottages perched on the edge of a cliff. On the way down, the pretty open market with fresh fruit and vegetable stands along the side of a fork in the road makes a nice place to shop with the locals.
