Nestled in the foothills of the Sintra Mountains, just a short drive from Lisbon, lies one of Portugal's most magical destinations...Sintra. With its' lush landscapes, fairy-tale palaces and timeless charm, Sintra makes you feel like your are stepping into another world. Whether you are a history buff, nature lover or just an explorer at heart, Sintra will provide an unforgettable experience. It is a necessary day trip if you are visiting Lisbon.
A Land of Palaces and Castles
One of the most striking features of Sintra is the numerous palaces and castles located within a short distance from each other. This is due to the fact that over the years, various Portuguese royals made Sintra their summer retreat. Each castle or palace has its own unique architecture and charm. While you are visiting Sintra you definitely need to explore at least one of these magical places.
Pena Palace. The Pena Palace is definitely the most famous Sintra Palace. Pena Palace is a vivid, colorful structure that sits high abobe the town. With its bright yellows and reds, it stands out against the surrounding green forest. Unfortunately we did not have tickets to visit Pena Palace so I didn't get to see inside this fairytale place and did not get to check out the views from the hilltop location. The picture below is a stock photo just so you could see this breathtaking structure.
Stock photo of Pena Palace Moorish Castle. The Moorish Castle is perched even higher on the Sintra hills and dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries, when the Moors ruled much of the Iberian Peninsula. If you visit the Moorish Castle and walk along its ancient stone walls, you will be treated to panoramic views of the region. You may even be able to see the Atlantic Ocean on a clear day.
Palácia Nacional de Sintra. On our visit, we did tour Palácio Nacional de Sintra also known as the National Palace. The National Palace sits in the center of Sintra and is the oldest medieval estate in the town. Almost every king and queen of Portugal spent at least some time in residence at the National Palace of Sintra. As a result, the National Palace has been shaped by different styles of architecture and design over the years and serves as a living monument to the history of the palace. The most distinguishing feature of the National Palace is two massive white cone-shaped chimneys that stand tall above the town. The chimney protrude up from the kitchens and have become an iconic symbol of Sintra. On the inside of the Palace, there are breathtaking examples of tile work and decorative ceilings that have been installed or modified over the years. I would definitely recommend taking some time to tour the National Palace if you take a trip to Sintra.
Here is a view of the iconic chimneys from one of the hills in Sintra.
The Capitivating Landscapes
The landscapes of Sintra are as capitivating as the castles. In fact, the area was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 in part due to the lush landscape of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. We didn't have a chance to really explore the beautiful trails in the Park, but if you have time I would recommend hiking through the Park's lush forests up to the craggy cliffs and dramatic vistas for an amazing view. It sounds like a wonderful way to spend time in Sintra. My research shows that the hiking paths take you past hidden chapels, waterfalls and ancient ruins. I am sorry I missed it!
The Charming Old Town
Sintra's old town, or Vila Velha, is brimming with charming cafés, artisan shops and bakeries selling the local delicacy, travesseiros, a sweet puff pastry filled with almond cream. We did buy some of these to try, but broke the cardinal rule in blogging that "the camera eats first", so unfortunately there is no visual evidence. Take my word for it...they were delicious. Old Sintra is filled with narrow, winding cobblestone streets (that of course go uphill) and pastel colored buildings. It is a visual feast for the eyes. As Sintra is located in the mountains, sometimes the cooler and mistier climate creates fog that curls around the hills and palaces which make the place even more magical.
Tips for Visiting Sintra
Getting There: Sintra is easily accessible from Lisbon by train (a 40 minute ride) or by car. Parking can be limited, so public transportation is a better option. Luckily we had the tour bus that dropped us off and picked us up, so there's a benefit from visiting Sintra on a group travel trip!
What to Wear: Because Sintra is set in the mountains, it can be a bit cooler than Lisbon. Wear layers so if it does warm up you can shed clothes to stay comfortable. I also recommend comfortable shoes as you will be climbing the hilly, cobblestone streets to explore the area.
Best Time to Visit: As usual, spring and fall are the best times to visit to avoid the biggest crowds. We were there in September and the weather was pleasant and the crowds (although large) were apparently better than they are during the summer months.
Getting Tickets to the Palaces: I would recommend securing tickets to any of the castles or palaces you wish to visit prior to your trip. Sintra is popular and the castles are the main attraction, especially Pena Palace.
Taking a day to visit Sintra will definitely be worth your while. It was a magical spot and was one of my favorites of our whole trip!
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