Boca do Inferno, which is a Portuguese equivalent for "Hell's Mouth", is a unique rock formation, situated in the area of the resort city Cascais, famous for its beaches and tourist attractions. Cascais is, in turn, not far from the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, from where travelers often take routes to look at its most prominent landmark with a fascinating and dangerous title.

Boca do Inferno was formed due to the repetitive crashing of Atlantic ocean waves against the rock of the cliffs. The weaker limestone part gave in and let the current slowly carve out the small cave inside it. Over the course of time, this part of the cliff fell down, unlike the tougher rock on the outside. Consequently, the falling of the roof created the well enclosed by the cliffs with the entrance, through which the water flows in and out freely.

Visitors have the choice of observing this work of nature from above or take a risk and descend down into the pit, although it is not advised due to its unevenness. However, there is plenty of terrains to take a walk through: the rocky landscape of the cliffs will only fuel your imagination regarding the idea of how the hell supposedly looks like. Also, travelers can spend quite a while enjoying the view of the ocean beyond the cliffs. By the way, they often tend to get entranced by the never-ending sound of waves washing the shore. You can even take a stroll through the only cycle path in whole Portugal: go down Avenue Rei Humberto Ii de Itália and to the coastline.

Sometimes, confusion might occur as for the dramatic name of Boca do Inferno, especially if you attend it during the periods of tranquility: the well does not look scary at all, even peaceful. But if you decide to visit it during bad weather conditions like winter storms, you will fully realize where the pit derived its title from. The huge waves seem to boil down in the well, beat against its walls, spring up high, sometimes even higher than the cliffs themselves, and the calm splashing of water is replaced with roar and grumbling. As the waves rush out of the small entrance, you will truly believe that this furious hollow is definitely of hellish nature.

Among other interesting things, Boca do Inferno was the first cave to be captured on one of the first films, or moving pictures, called "A Sea Cave Near Lisbon", produced in Britain in 1896. The cave even has a scandalous story connected to it! In a nutshell, this is the place where the British mystic, occultist and astrologist Aleister Crowley decided to fake his suicide. The stunt, which was put to practice with the help of the poet Fernando Pessoa, was made mainly to irritate his lover, because he later occurred on one of his exhibitions in Berlin. His trick and suicide note are commemorated on the special table on one of the rocks in Boca do Inferno. All of this is a good enough reason not to miss the chance to see this miracle of nature, because it is also open at any time and visitors have free access to the cave. Don't forget your camera visiting Boca do Inferno!