Sintra, Portugal

About Sintra

Sintra is a town in southwest Portugal with some unusual and very outstanding architecture. Located on the same broad peninsula as the country's capital, Lisbon, Sintra is surrounded by mountains and separated from the Atlantic Ocean coastline of the Portuguese Riviera by acres and acres of national parklands.

Overshadowing the town is the vibrantly colorful Palacio Nacional de Pena, a lasting legacy of the Portuguese royal family who resided in Sintra until the early 1900s. The monstrous multi-colored, multi-turreted castle is just one of several castles and palaces in the town which was popular with Portugal's peerage for its mild summertime climate and proximity to the coast.

Royalty weren't the only ones with interesting buildings to live in, and Sintra's historic center is testimony to the fact the common folk liked their housing to be architecturally elaborate too - although on a less grand scale. Sintra's relative geographical isolation in the Sintra Mountains hasn't prevented the town from expanding away from its archaic core to cover over one-hundred and twenty square miles, but at its heart it still maintains its medieval atmosphere. It's that unique ambiance along with its prime examples of romanticist architecture that draws day visitors by the score.

Things to do in Sintra

There's no escaping the fact that visiting Sintra is all about history and architecture. If they're not your thing then maybe you should choose a different location for a day out. That said though, there are several beaches near Sintra, and some great locations to go hiking in where there are waterfalls and vineyards to visit. Plus there’s a couple of spots where you can let off steam by doing some adventure activities.

• If you only visit one palace while you're in Sintra then it has to be the Palacio da Pena. It's mind-boggling externally and even more so internally. Designed and constructed by a Portuguese king with artistic tendencies, the amazing castle has to be seen to be believed.
• Hit the trails of the Sintra-Cascais National Park on a mountain bike and discover inland and coastal scenery that will leave you more breathless than pedaling does.
• Go down into the depths of the earth in the Initiation Well on the Quinta da Regaleira country estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reputed to have secret connections to the Knights Templars and the Freemasons. The well has a twisting, arched stone staircase that leads down to a set of tunnels and has a Templar cross at the bottom.
• Try some typical Portuguese food like Acorda de Marisco, a rustic stew made from bread and seafood, or Cozido Portuguese, a hearty meat stew.

Transit options in Sintra

• There is a special tourist bus service, the 434, which operates in Sintra that ferries visitors between all the main sights. There are also bus services to nearby towns which depart from the station on Avenida Mario Fermino Miguel .
• Sintra has a small train station, the Portela de Sintra on the Avenida Mario Fermino Miguel. Trains for Lisbon arrive and depart from there.
• The closest international airport to Sintra is the Lisbon Portela Airport which is thirty kilometers from the town.

Luggage storage in Sintra

Because of its hilly nature, Sintra is not the easiest of towns to get around on foot, and having baggage with you just compounds the problem. Hump your bags on and off the tourist bus and you could end up with a bad back. You can't take big suitcases in the castles and palaces either, so make your life easy and use a low-priced, conveniently located, Bounce luggage locker in Sintra to stow your stuff.

Attractions and activities near Sintra

Cascais: Cascais is a coastal resort town sixteen kilometers south of Sintra that basically has everything going for it and a lot fewer palaces than Sintra. A superb beach lines the front of the town and there are two more either side of it within a short walking distance. Have a wander along the promenade and visit the Castro Guimarães Museum or the Casa de Historias Art Gallery, before heading to the cliffs to see the Boca de Inferno, a rock arch where the waves crash against the shore.

Lisbon: If you're arriving at or are departing from Lisbon Airport, it would be a shame not to take a look around the capital while you're there. If you're pushed for time, taking in just some of the main sights will give you a good feel for the city. Have a coffee in a pavement cafe on the side of the Praco de Comercio, the city's main square, ride up the Santa Justa Lift, and check out the Belem Tower. There's a huge modern aquarium, the Oceanario de Lisboa, and the national museum of ceramic tiles to browse around if you have time to fill before catching your bus or flight. If you've more time on your hands than you know what to do with, check out the creepy tombs at the National Pantheon, take a ride on the San Francisco-style funicular railway, the Elevador da Bici, or visit the Queluz National Palace.

Ancos: North-east of Sintra is a mountain hamlet called Ancos which is renowned for its mountainous landscapes and waterfalls. The trail to the Cascatas de Ancos begins right in the middle of the village and winds its way through the hills until it reaches a hidden, but idyllic spot where the waters of the River Mourao pour down the surrounding cliff sides into a deep pool. There's nothing else there but nature and wildlife, so take provisions for a picnic and enjoy it after having a swim in the clear water.