A mere 40 minutes drive away from Lisbon is the resort town Sintra, famed for its palaces and beautiful beaches. Be prepared to be blown away by the whimsical architecture and absolutely dreamy landscape that makes the town feel like a fairytale.
To make things easy, book a hop on and hop off bus to get around Sintra down below!
Pena Palace
Striking in its appearance with bold colors, the Pena Palace is built on the grounds of a monastery that crumbled during the 1755 earthquake. It has several architectural styles including Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Manueline due to King Ferdinand and Queen Maria II’s different preferences.
The summer palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 and it is a delight to walk around the lush gardens with plants imported from all over the world.
Don’t miss the Chalet of the Countess of Edla which feels just like an enchanted cottage that Snow White and her seven dwarfs could have stayed in.
Immerse yourself into this eclectic mix by booking tickets online here. Admission starts at €7.50 per adult (only for the park).
Castle of the Moors
Some days, you just want to drift off into the clouds, high above from everything else. The Castle of the Moors was once a fortress that defended the area for over 300 years before being neglected in the 16th century. It was restored with the Pena Palace gardens by King Ferdinand and indeed, climbing its cobbled terrain gives off Sleeping Beauty vibes.
Park and Palace of Monserrate
Speaking of fairytales, the Monserrate palace feels very much suitable for Princess Jasmine in its gothic, Indian, and Morrish architectural style. And, the gardens are said to be in bloom all year round with many different species from around the world.
Praia da Adraga
If you are a little tired from visiting castles at this point, head to one of the best beaches in Europe. WIth cliff formations and tunnels, it is worth every bit of the effort needed to find this semi-remote beach.
P.S. You will have to rent a car or hire one to get to the beach. It can be found along Almoçageme road.
Palace of Sintra
Now that we are back to the castles, the Palace of Sintra is defined by its two long chimneys towers and white unassuming facade. However, the interior is truly a sight to behold, with Portuguese art from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Quinta da Regaleira
For a truly enchanting time, the Quinta Da Regaleira will take you down the rabbit hole. The house has exquisitely carved figures on the ceilings and Venetian mosaic floors, all in the ‘revivalist’ neo-Manueline style. But, the gardens are even more noteworthy. It has a Knights Initiation Well, which requires to descend 27 meters before you can explore the secret tunnels that run under the gardens.
Quelez National Palace
In baroque, rococo, and neoclassicism style, this was the palace of Queen Maria and her husband Dom Pedro III. They had to abandon it in 1807 when they fled to Brazil due to french invasions.
The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art continues to uphold traditions in the gardens of the palace and students perform at the riding ring in Belem.
Sintra is magical and holds many secrets of grandeur past. Get ready to be swept off your feet like in the fairytales.
.jpg){kind=link}