Dmitrij Rodionov
Just a half hour by car or around 40 minutes by train from Lisbon, this municipality of roughly 386,000 residents feels a world apart. Nestled among the forested hills of the Serra de Sintra, its historic old quarter, has long been a retreat for kings, nobles, and wealthy merchants seeking relief from the summer heat of the Portuguese capital. Most of Sintra today consists of modern residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and former villages that have gradually become part of the greater Lisbon metropolitan area. And to the west, of all this the landscape quickly turns rural, with forests, vineyards, dramatic Atlantic cliffs, and beaches such as Praia da Adraga and Praia Grande. But what most visitors come to see is Sintra´s old historic core, with its origins in 8th-century Moorish Xintara and now a remarkable. now UNESCO-World-Heritage concentration of palaces, gardens, villas, and monuments.
(It´s also worth noting that thanks to its elevated location and proximity to the ocean, Sintra is typically cooler than Lisbon and often enjoys refreshing sea breezes even on hot summer days. The climate helps explain why generations of Portuguese royalty and upper classes chose to spend their summers here. Spring and autumn are generally the most pleasant times to visit, offering mild temperatures, lush vegetation, and fewer crowds. Winters, by contrast, can be damp, misty, and windy, lending the hills an atmospheric, almost mystical feel.)
In any case, here are the top seven spots not to miss in Sintra:
Monserrate Palace (Palácio de Monserrate)
One of the town´s top architectural gems was built between 1858 and 1863 for the wealthy British merchant Sir Francis Cook on the site of an earlier residence damaged by the devastating Lisbon earthquake of 1755. The palace is an exuberant blend of Gothic, Moorish, Indian, and Romantic influences, reflecting the eclectic tastes of the 19th century. Delicate stonework, intricate arches, and richly decorated interiors are complemented by magnificent botanical gardens featuring species from five continents.
Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros)
The rugged walls of this fortress trace their origins to the 8th and 9th centuries, when Muslim rulers controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula. Then during the centuries-long Reconquista (Reconquest), after Xintara was captured by Christian forces shortly after they took Lisbon in 1147, the castelo gradually lost its military importance and eventually fell into ruin. Today visitors can walk along restored ramparts that snake across the ridgeline, enjoying some of the finest panoramic views in Sintra. While the Pena Palace (below) sits at a higher elevation, many visitors find the vistas from the castle walls even more impressive.4
Pena Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena)
Perched dramatically atop one of Sintra's highest peaks, one of Portugal's most recognizable landmars was commissioned by King Ferdinand II and completed largely between 1842 and 1854. Designed by the German engineer and architect Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege with contributions from Portuguese architect Possidónio da Silva, Its vivid colors, fanciful towers, battlements, and mixture of Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Renaissance styles make it one of Europe's finest examples of Romantic architecture. And by the way, because it´s Sintra's most popular attraction, arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon can make for a more enjoyable visit.
Pena Park (Parque da Pena)
Surrounding the Pena Palace, one of Europe's most remarkable Romantic-era landscapes was also created in the mid-19th century under the patronage of King Ferdinand II. Covering more than 200 hectares (494 acres), it´s packed with thousands of species of trees and plants imported from around the world, including Australia, Asia, New Zealand, and North America, which have matured into a dense and often surprising landscape of winding paths, lakes, viewpoints, and exotic gardens. Exploring the park is one of Sintra's great pleasures, particularly on a clear day.
Quinta da Regaleira
One of Sintra's most intriguing estates, built between 1904 and 1910 for millionaire António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro and designed by Italian architect Luigi Manini, the property combines a palace, chapel, gardens, grottoes, lakes, tunnels, and symbolic structures inspired by alchemy, Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, and Portuguese history. The architecture incorporates numerous Manueline motifs, a distinctly Portuguese late-Gothic style associated with the Age of Discovery. Today it´s owned by the municipality and open to the public. One of the estate´s most famous features is the Initiation Well (Poço Iniciático, above), resembling an inverted tower descending nearly 30 meters (98 feet) underground through a spiral staircase lined with arches and landings. Despite its appearance, it was never intended as a water source; scholars believe it was instead designed for ceremonial and symbolic purposes connected to esoteric traditions that fascinated Carvalho Monteiro. Popular legends often link the tunnels and chambers beneath the estate to the Knights Templar, though evidence for such connections remains largely speculative.
Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra)
Easily recognized by its pair of distinctive conical chimneys, this onetime royal residence occupies the heart of the historic center and served as a royal residence for centuries. Although parts of the palace date to the Moorish period, much of the complex was developed between the 14th and 16th centuries under Portuguese monarchs including João I and Manuel I. Inside are richly decorated rooms such as the Sala dos Cisnes (Hall of Swans), Sala das Pegas (Hall of Magpies), the Sala Árabe (Arab Room), and the royal chapel, each offering insight into the tastes and traditions of Portugal's royal court.
Casa Piriquita, a Sweet Sintra Tradition
No visit to the historic core Sintra is complete without a stop at this historic confectionery at Rua das Padarias 1-5, founded in 1862 (there´s another location right down the street as well as two others in the modern city) Piriquita serves a range of tasty sweets but is famous for two specialties: the travesseiro, a light, flaky puff pastry filled with almond cream, and the queijada de Sintra, a small cheesecake-like tart made from fresh cheese, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon. Both have become culinary symbols of the town and are best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
A word about visas: Portugal is part of Europe's Schengen Zone. Citizens of European Union and Schengen countries, as well as travelers from visa-exempt countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, may generally enter for short tourist stays without a visa, subject to current entry requirements. Travelers from many other countries may require a Schengen visa before arrival. As entry regulations can change, visitors should consult official Portuguese government sources before traveling. Get more information here.
Comments
I was in Sintra briefly many years ago but barely remember it. Going back this fall, so all this is great to know, thanks!