There are such a lot of issues to do in Sintra, Portugal. The historical past of the world dates again to the 1400s when a single monastery was positioned on a hilltop in Sintra throughout medieval occasions. When the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 destroyed many of the metropolis, the world sat untouched and empty for a few years. It wasn’t till the mid-1800s when one of many King’s sons was so fascinated by the forested space, that his father determined to amass all the encircling land, and produce it again to life.
Prime Issues To Do In Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is positioned simply 45 minutes north of the capital metropolis of Portugal, Lisbon. The city has a wealthy historical past and cultural significance, which is mirrored in its many historic castles and palaces, such because the Pena Palace and the Moorish Citadel. These buildings are identified for his or her ornate ornament, historical past, and delightful places, which supply panoramic views of the encircling space.
Along with its castles and palaces, Sintra can also be identified for its charming streets and neighborhoods, that are full of colourful homes, quaint outlets, and funky eating places. This picturesque city has a relaxed, laid-back ambiance, and it’s a widespread vacation spot for individuals who wish to expertise a extra genuine and conventional aspect of Portugal.
1. Go to Pena Palace
Some of the widespread points of interest in Sintra, the Pena Palace is a surprising Nineteenth-century Romantic palace that sits atop a hill overlooking the city. The lavish palace was commissioned by King Ferdinand II and stands proudly over the panorama. We beloved the colourful colours and mixture of architectural types, together with Gothic, Manueline, and Moorish.
Guests to the Pena Palace can discover the palace’s fantastically adorned rooms, together with the throne room, eating room, and bedrooms. Its setting excessive on a hill will remind you of Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Citadel in Bavaria. However Pena Citadel was truly constructed first!
Pena Park
Pena Palace is surrounded by Pena Park, a fantastically landscaped backyard full of unique crops and flowers. The Park is a superb place to take a leisurely stroll and benefit from the gorgeous views of the encircling countryside.
Tickets for Pena Palace value €7.50 for adults. For guests aged 65 and over and kids between the ages of 6 and 17, the price is €6.50. A household ticket can also be obtainable for €26. Sintra presents a bus to take you from the doorway by the gardens and can drop you off in entrance of the Pena Palace. Or you possibly can book skip-the-line tickets here.
Or you possibly can select to do what we did, which was stroll by the gardens (uphill) to get to Pena Palace. For those who select to stroll, make sure to put on comfy sneakers and provides your self an hour to succeed in the highest.
2. Discover the Moorish Citadel
The Moorish Citadel is a well-preserved medieval fort positioned on a hill above Sintra, Portugal. This fort dates again to the ninth century and was utilized by the Portuguese royal household as a summer season palace. The Moorish Citadel is likely one of the hottest vacationer points of interest in Sintra, identified for its well-preserved partitions and gorgeous views.
The fort is a mixture of architectural types, together with Gothic and Mudéjar, and incorporates a collection of defensive partitions and towers. Guests to the fort can discover the fort’s inside, together with the royal flats, chapel, and cistern. The fort additionally has a small museum, the place guests can study extra about its historical past and the function it performed within the area.
Along with touring the fort, guests may get pleasure from quite a lot of out of doors actions within the surrounding space, together with climbing, picnicking, and birdwatching. The Moorish Citadel is a must-see for anybody all for medieval historical past and structure.
The price to enter is for Adults: (18 – 64 years) 8 €, (6 – 17 years) 6,5 €, (over 65 years) 6,5 €, Household ticket (2 adults + 2 youths) 26 €. Or you will get the Audio Tour and Skip the Line by booking here.
3. Go to Cabo da Roca
Positioned only a quick drive from Sintra, Cabo da Roca is the westernmost level of mainland Europe and is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot identified for its gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Cabo da Roca is a rocky promontory that juts out into the ocean, providing breathtaking views of the rugged shoreline and the open ocean. Guests to the cape can take within the views from the statement deck and benefit from the recent sea air.
Cabo da Roca can also be residence to a lighthouse, which was constructed within the seventeenth century to information ships safely into Lisbon. The lighthouse is open to guests and presents panoramic views of the encircling shoreline.
You might want to attend in line to take an image in entrance of the plaque, however it will likely be value it to point out folks you made it!
4. Tour the Sintra Nationwide Palace (Palacio nacional de sintra)
Have you ever heard of the Sintra Nationwide Palace? It’s a phenomenal Fifteenth-century palace positioned within the coronary heart of Sintra, Portugal. The palace was as soon as the residence of the Portuguese royal household and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Sintra Nationwide Palace is thought for its mixture of architectural types, The palace is a mix of Manueline, Gothic, and Mudéjar, and its lovely facade is a sight to behold.
As you step contained in the palace, you’re transported again in time, to an age of opulence and magnificence. The grand halls and spacious rooms are full of ornate furnishings, a testomony to the wealth and energy of the royal household.
Guests can discover the palace’s fantastically adorned rooms, together with the throne room, eating room, and bedrooms, and study its wealthy historical past. The palace additionally incorporates a chapel, which remains to be used for non secular ceremonies right now, and a phenomenal backyard full of unique crops and flowers. As you permit the palace, you’ll be struck by the sense of historical past and tradition that surrounds you.
The Palacio Nacional de Sintra is open each day from 9:30 till 19:00 and the final entrance at 18:30. The doorway charge is €10.00/€8.50/€8.50/€33.00 (grownup/baby/senior/household). We advocate you seize a Fast Track Ticket to keep away from the lengthy lineups.
5. Go to Quinta da Regaleira
By far probably the most picturesque spot in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira. It’s the good spot to place down the map and see the place the winding paths take you.
The Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, Portugal is a spot of thriller and magic. Nestled within the coronary heart of the city, the Nineteenth-century property is surrounded by lush gardens full of unique crops and flowers.
It was constructed within the early twentieth century by a rich Brazilian businessman named António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. Monteiro was a collector of artwork and uncommon objects, and he used the Quinta da Regaleira as a showcase for his assortment.
On the middle of the Quinta da Regaleira stands the gorgeous palace, a masterpiece of structure and design.
However the true attraction of the Quinta da Regaleira is its underground tunnels and caves. These mysterious passages had been as soon as used for initiation rites by secret societies, and their secrets and techniques nonetheless stay hidden to today. Guests can discover the tunnels and caves, discovering hidden chambers and hidden passageways as they go.
Because the solar units over the property, the shadows lengthen and the magic of the Quinta da Regaleira comes alive. It’s a spot the place the previous and current mix collectively, the place the fantastic thing about nature and the grandeur of artificial wonders meet.
For those who drive, there may be parking down the road from the primary entrance and the charge to enter is €10.00/€5.00/€4.00/€25.00 (grownup/baby/senior/household), and this consists of entrance to the home and the grounds. OR is you need to skip to the entrance of the road this is the ticket you want. It additionally features a free audio tour.
6. Monserrate Palace
The Monserrate Palace in Sintra, Portugal is a spot of marvel and enchantment. Tucked away within the rolling hills, the Nineteenth-century palace is a hidden gem, a treasure ready to be found.
As you method the palace, the grandeur of the constructing turns into obvious. The palace is a mix of architectural types, together with Gothic, Moorish, and Indian, and its grand facade is a sight to behold. It was additionally as soon as the house of Sir Francis Prepare dinner, a rich British businessman who was the primary Visconde de Monserrat and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
As you step contained in the palace, you’re transported again in time, to an age of opulence and magnificence. The grand halls and spacious rooms are full of intricate particulars and ornate furnishings, a testomony to the wealth and energy of the palace’s former proprietor, Francis Prepare dinner, a rich English service provider.
However the true attraction of the Monserrate Palace is its gardens. These sprawling, verdant grounds are a wonderland of unique crops and flowers, a paradise on earth. Guests can take a leisurely stroll by the gardens, admiring the fantastic thing about nature and the grandeur of the palace.
The doorway charge is €8.00/€6.50/€6.50 (grownup/baby/senior). The opening hours are 9.30-18.30, and the final ticket is bought 1 hour earlier than the closing time. We advocate avoiding the crowds with this ticket.
7. Praia da Ursa
The Praia da Ursa is a phenomenal seaside positioned only a quick drive from Sintra. The seaside is surrounded by rugged cliffs and plush greenery, and the views of the Atlantic Ocean are breathtaking.
The Praia da Ursa is a superb spot for swimming and sunbathing, and its secluded location makes it an ideal place to flee the crowds and loosen up. The seaside can also be a preferred spot for exploring the hidden coves and caves alongside the shore.
After marveling at one of the spectacular seashores in Portugal, guests may take within the gorgeous views of the encircling panorama from the cliffs above the seaside. It’s an awesome place to spend a number of hours absorbing the solar and having fun with the fantastic thing about nature.
8. Discover the Serra de Sintra
The Serra de Sintra is a phenomenal mountain vary positioned simply outdoors of Sintra, Portugal. The mountain vary is thought for its climbing trails and its wealthy historical past with castles dotting the panorama.
The Serra de Sintra is a well-liked vacation spot for hikers and nature lovers, with quite a lot of trails that wind by the mountains and supply breathtaking views.
The Serra de Sintra can also be residence to quite a few historic websites, together with castles and palaces, that are widespread vacationer points of interest.
9. Study concerning the Knights Templar
The Knights Templar was a navy order of knights based within the twelfth century to guard Christian pilgrims touring to the Holy Land. Guests can study extra about their function within the area by visiting the Convent of the Order of Christ, which was as soon as their headquarters in Portugal.
10. Go to the Praia das Maçãs
Praia das Maçãs is a phenomenal spot positioned on the western coast of the nation, and it presents quite a lot of actions and points of interest for guests. Praia das Maçãs
One of many principal causes to go to the Praia das Maçãs is for its pure magnificence. The seaside is surrounded by rugged cliffs and plush greenery on one aspect with a picturesque city on the opposite. The seaside is a well-liked spot for swimming and sunbathing, and its crystal-clear waters and the lengthy stretch of sandy seaside make it an awesome place to loosen up and unwind.
Along with having fun with the seaside and the water, guests may take within the gorgeous views of the from the cliffs above the seaside. The Praia das Maçãs can also be an awesome place for exploring the hidden coves and caves alongside the shore.
A serene and tranquil spot, Praia das Maçãs is an ideal place to flee the crowds and luxuriate in the fantastic thing about nature. It’s a must-see for anybody visiting Sintra or the western coast of Portugal.
11. Take a hike within the Sintra-Cascais Pure Park
The park consists of quite a few sandy seashores and dunes, together with the Praia da Adraga, a phenomenal seaside with an extended stretch of sand and dunes that’s widespread for swimming and sunbathing. The seaside is positioned close to the city of Almoçageme, which is a couple of 20-minute drive from Sintra.
One of many principal causes to hike within the Sintra-Cascais Pure Park is for its pure magnificence. The park is residence to quite a lot of plant and animal species, and the surroundings is breathtaking. Along with its pure magnificence, the Sintra-Cascais Pure Park can also be residence to quite a few historic and cultural websites, together with castles, palaces, and different landmarks.
Mountaineering within the Sintra-Cascais Pure Park can also be an effective way to get some train and benefit from the recent air. The park presents quite a lot of trails for hikers of all talent ranges, starting from straightforward, well-marked paths to more difficult routes for skilled hikers.
12. Take a ship tour of the Sintra Coast
A ship tour of the Sintra Coast is one thing you need to do in the event you go to town for greater than a day journey. It often consists of stops at quite a few landmarks, such because the Cabo da Roca, the westernmost level of mainland Europe, and the Praia da Ursa, a secluded seaside that may solely be accessed by boat.
You possibly can guide a ship tour when you find yourself within the metropolis. The excursions often final a number of hours and will embrace commentary from a information or native historian. We discover it is a nice solution to expertise the fantastic thing about the Sintra Coast and study concerning the area’s historical past and tradition.
13. Strive some native delicacies
Sintra is residence to quite a few wonderful eating places that serve conventional Portuguese dishes. Guests can strive some native favorites corresponding to pastel de nata (custard tarts), bacalhau (salted cod), or cozido à portuguesa (a conventional stew).
The Portuguese love their sardines. You’ll find them in most shops, and even on the bike and automotive rental outlets in Sintra. In Lisbon, it looks like they’re on each nook!
They will not be for everybody, but it surely’s a very good salty snack to take with you as you traverse the grounds and journey to every attraction. There are typically plenty of taste choices so take your time studying every label. Learn extra: Portuguese Food: 26 Traditional Dishes to try in Portugal or at home
14. Go to the Sintra Museum of Fashionable Artwork
The Sintra Museum of Fashionable Artwork (Museu de Arte Moderna de Sintra) is housed within the former Palace of the Counts of Edla, a Nineteenth-century constructing that was as soon as the summer season retreat of the Portuguese royal household. (That Portuguese Royal Household obtained round!)
The museum’s assortment consists of works by Portuguese and worldwide artists from the Nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a deal with trendy and modern artwork. The gathering consists of work, sculptures, pictures, and different artworks, and it’s identified for its robust illustration of Portuguese modernism.
Along with its everlasting assortment, the Sintra Museum of Fashionable Artwork additionally hosts non permanent exhibitions and occasions, corresponding to lectures, workshops, and concert events. For those who love artwork you aren’t going to need to miss visiting one of the essential cultural establishments in Portugal.
The museum go to is certainly free for folks below 17 or over 60 years previous and for pupil card holders. Everybody else pays 1 (one) euro.
Conclusion
Sintra is a phenomenal and historic city with quite a lot of cultural and leisure actions to supply guests. Whether or not you’re all for exploring the city’s historical past, visiting Pena Palace, having fun with the good outside, or stress-free on one of many area’s lovely seashores, there’s one thing for everybody once you go to Sintra.
This submit was initially written by Gina of Jet Set and Forget and has been up to date by The Planet D for probably the most up-to-date data.
