Best things to do in Sintra
Find out more about those top places in Sintra
While Sintra is often included as a day trip from nearby Lisbon, this verdant gem of a town deserves its time in the spotlight during any tour of Portugal. Perched atop rippling hills, Sintra is a Portuguese fairy tale come to life with pastel colored royal palaces, Moorish fortresses and evocative ruined convents dotting the townscape. As Sintra was a former summer retreat for the Portuguese royal family, it comes as no surprise that the town’s main attractions are the National Palaces of Pena and Sintra, the former of which is an otherworldly medley of onion domes and castellated pastel towers. Nearby, the Capuchos Convent, which was originally built in 1560, is an unforgettable experience torn straight from the pages of Narnia.
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Park and National Palace of Pena
On your way to Sintra National Park, the sophisticated and imposing Palace of Pena would definitely get your attention. The palace is seated on a high cliff as if to flaunt its extravagant beauty to all who pass by. On getting to the Park, which is one of the most visited tourist attraction sites in Sintra, there are lots of fun and relaxing activities to engage in.
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Castelo dos Mouros
Structures like the Castelo dos Mouros are quite common in Portugal as a result of the country's history. But of all other structures like it, Castelo dos Mouros (which is Portuguese for "Castle of the Moors") still remains one of the most populars. The castle sits about 400 meters above sea level making it very visible from all sides even with the big forest surrounding it. It is also on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
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Quinta da Regaleira
The Romantic Palace in Quinta da Regaleira is a place to be for couples, while the exquisite park makes the place suitable for everyone else. The park features fantastic fountains, lakes, caves, and other awe-inspiring structures. Considering all that this place has, it isn't at all surprising that it makes the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites while still being among Portugal's most visited tourist attraction sites.
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Sintra National Palace
This palace served as a home to the Portuguese royalties from the 15th century down to the 19th century. Although the simplicity of the palace's exterior makes it look quite uninteresting for a palace, the interiors of the palace more than make up for it with the highest level of sophistication.
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Park and Palace of Monserrate
The Palace of Monserrate, built in the 19th century, is not just known for its unique structures which give away the fact that it is a palace even before being told. Botanical gardens in the palace also contributed to its beauty, the park that surrounds the palace has many beautiful sights and natural edifices to offer, making the place a favorite among tourists.
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Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
This location used to be a mere fishing village but the sophisticated beauty of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park quickly made it into an exotic site where royalties from all of Europe come to relax and have fun. The park is filled with beautiful natural sights of clear water bodies and forest. The waterfront here is now known as Portuguese Rivera.
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Convent of the Capuchos
Hidden among the Sintra Mountains is the Convent of the Capuchos. This site served as a home for the Capuchos for a long time and has a lot of history to it. At this site, the tour guides would fill you in about the vibrant history of the Capuchos while showing you their many unique artifacts and edifices.
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Azenhas do Mar
The strategic location of this place makes it the perfect spot for tourists who are looking to enjoy some spare time on the beach while gazing at the endless Atlantic while the sun bathes them in its warmth. Azenhas do Mar is located on a cliff near Sintra with the Atlantic in front of it, and tall mountains behind.
