Praia da Ursa

Praia da Ursa lies just north of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and it is one of the more dramatic pieces of the Portuguese coast: a short strip of sand at the base of high cliffs with two enormous sea stacks standing offshore, the larger of which is said to resemble a bear, which is where the name comes from. It has no facilities, no lifeguard and no proper path - the descent is a steep, eroded scramble of around twenty minutes on loose ground with a rope in one section, and people are injured on it regularly. There is no shade, the tide covers much of the sand, and the Atlantic here has powerful currents; swimming is genuinely dangerous. The authorities have periodically restricted access and discouraged visits after accidents and rescues. Most people come for the view from the clifftop above, which is free of all of this.

What you actually see

• The sea stacks - two large rock towers offshore, the larger giving the beach its name.
• The cliffs - high walls enclosing a short strip of sand.
• The descent - a steep eroded scramble with a rope section.
• The clifftop view - the same scene from above, without the climb.

When to go

May to September for conditions; never in wet weather, when the path is treacherous. Two to three hours. Check the tide - much of the sand covers.

Honest expectations

The path is genuinely dangerous, unmaintained and the site of regular rescues and injuries. Swimming here is unsafe - strong currents and no lifeguard. No facilities of any kind. Access has been restricted at times after accidents. The clifftop viewpoint is the sensible option.

Nearby

Cabo da Roca is south; Praia da Adraga and the Sintra coast are north.