There are so many issues to do in Sintra, Portugal. The historical past of the realm dates again to the 1400s when a single monastery was positioned on a hilltop in Sintra throughout medieval instances. When the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 destroyed a lot of the metropolis, the realm 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 accumulate all the encircling land, and convey it again to life.
Top Things To Do In Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is situated 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 Castle. These buildings are recognized for his or her ornate ornament, historical past, and exquisite places, which supply panoramic views of the encircling space.
In addition to its castles and palaces, Sintra can be recognized for its charming streets and neighborhoods, that are stuffed with colourful homes, quaint retailers, and funky eating places. This picturesque city has a relaxed, laid-back ambiance, and it’s a standard vacation spot for individuals who need to expertise a extra genuine and conventional facet of Portugal.
1. Visit Pena Palace
One of the preferred points of interest in Sintra, the Pena Palace is a shocking 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.
Visitors to the Pena Palace can discover the palace’s fantastically embellished rooms, together with the throne room, eating room, and bedrooms. Its setting excessive on a hill will remind you of Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. But Pena Castle was really constructed first!
Pena Park
Pena Palace is surrounded by Pena Park, a fantastically landscaped backyard stuffed with unique vegetation and flowers. The Park is a superb place to take a leisurely stroll and benefit from the beautiful 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 associated fee is €6.50. A household ticket can be obtainable for €26. Sintra presents a bus to take you from the doorway by way of the gardens and can drop you off in entrance of the Pena Palace. Or you possibly can ebook skip-the-line tickets right here.
Or you possibly can select to do what we did, which was stroll by way of the gardens (uphill) to get to Pena Palace. If you select to stroll, remember to put on comfy footwear and provides your self an hour to achieve the highest.
2. Explore the Moorish Castle
The Moorish Castle is a well-preserved medieval fort situated 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 time palace. The Moorish Castle is without doubt one of the hottest vacationer points of interest in Sintra, recognized for its well-preserved partitions and beautiful views.
The fort is a mixture of architectural types, together with Gothic and Mudéjar, and includes a sequence of defensive partitions and towers. Visitors 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.
In addition to touring the fort, guests may also take pleasure in a wide range of out of doors actions within the surrounding space, together with mountaineering, picnicking, and birdwatching. The Moorish Castle is a must-see for anybody concerned about medieval historical past and structure.
The value to enter is for Adults: (18 – 64 years) 8 €, (6 – 17 years) 6,5 €, (over 65 years) 6,5 €, Family ticket (2 adults + 2 youths) 26 €. Or you will get the Audio Tour and Skip the Line by reserving right here.
3. Visit Cabo da Roca
Located only a quick drive from Sintra, Cabo da Roca is the westernmost level of mainland Europe and is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot recognized for its beautiful 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. Visitors to the cape can take within the views from the remark deck and benefit from the contemporary sea air.
Cabo da Roca can be dwelling 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 may have to attend in line to take an image in entrance of the plaque, however will probably be price it to indicate folks you made it!
4. Tour the Sintra National Palace (Palacio nacional de sintra)
Have you heard of the Sintra National Palace? It’s a stupendous Fifteenth-century palace situated 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 Site.
Sintra National 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 stuffed with ornate furnishings, a testomony to the wealth and energy of the royal household.
Visitors can discover the palace’s fantastically embellished rooms, together with the throne room, eating room, and bedrooms, and find out about its wealthy historical past. The palace additionally includes a chapel, which remains to be used for spiritual ceremonies in the present day, and a stupendous backyard stuffed with unique vegetation and flowers. As you allow the palace, you’ll be struck by the sense of historical past and tradition that surrounds you.
The Palacio Nacional de Sintra is open on daily basis from 9:30 till 19:00 and the final entrance at 18:30. The entrance price is €10.00/€8.50/€8.50/€33.00 (grownup/youngster/senior/household). We advocate you seize a Fast Track Ticket to keep away from the lengthy lineups.
5. Visit Quinta da Regaleira
By far essentially the most picturesque spot in Sintra is Quinta da Regaleira. It is the right 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 stuffed with unique vegetation 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.
At the middle of the Quinta da Regaleira stands the beautiful palace, a masterpiece of structure and design.
But the true attraction of the Quinta da Regaleira is its underground tunnels and caves. These mysterious passages have been as soon as used for initiation rites by secret societies, and their secrets and techniques nonetheless stay hidden to today. Visitors can discover the tunnels and caves, discovering hidden chambers and hidden passageways as they go.
As 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 synthetic wonders meet.
If you drive, there may be parking down the road from the principle entrance and the price to enter is €10.00/€5.00/€4.00/€25.00 (grownup/youngster/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 that is the ticket you need. It additionally features a free audio tour.
6. Monserrate Palace
The Monserrate Palace in Sintra, Portugal is a spot of surprise 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 Cook, a rich British businessman who was the primary Visconde de Monserrat and is now a UNESCO World Heritage 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 stuffed with intricate particulars and ornate furnishings, a testomony to the wealth and energy of the palace’s former proprietor, Francis Cook, a rich English service provider.
But the true attraction of the Monserrate Palace is its gardens. These sprawling, verdant grounds are a wonderland of unique vegetation and flowers, a paradise on earth. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll by way of the gardens, admiring the fantastic thing about nature and the grandeur of the palace.
The entrance price is €8.00/€6.50/€6.50 (grownup/youngster/senior). The opening hours are 9.30-18.30, and the final ticket is offered 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 stupendous seaside situated only a quick drive from Sintra. The seaside is surrounded by rugged cliffs and luxurious 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 chill out. The seaside can be a preferred spot for exploring the hidden coves and caves alongside the shore.
After marveling at probably the most spectacular seashores in Portugal, guests may also take within the beautiful views of the encircling panorama from the cliffs above the seaside. It’s an ideal place to spend a couple of hours absorbing the solar and having fun with the fantastic thing about nature.
8. Explore the Serra de Sintra
The Serra de Sintra is a stupendous mountain vary situated simply exterior of Sintra, Portugal. The mountain vary is thought for its mountaineering 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 a wide range of trails that wind by way of the mountains and supply breathtaking views.
The Serra de Sintra can be dwelling to a variety of historic websites, together with castles and palaces, that are standard vacationer points of interest.
9. Learn in regards to 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. Visitors 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. Visit the Praia das Maçãs
Praia das Maçãs is a stupendous spot situated on the western coast of the nation, and it presents a wide range of actions and points of interest for guests. Praia das Maçãs
One of the principle causes to go to the Praia das Maçãs is for its pure magnificence. The seaside is surrounded by rugged cliffs and luxurious greenery on one facet 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 ideal place to chill out and unwind.
In addition to having fun with the seaside and the water, guests may also take within the beautiful views of the from the cliffs above the seaside. The Praia das Maçãs can be an ideal 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 Natural Park
The park consists of a variety of sandy seashores and dunes, together with the Praia da Adraga, a stupendous seaside with an extended stretch of sand and dunes that’s standard for swimming and sunbathing. The seaside is situated close to the city of Almoçageme, which is a couple of 20-minute drive from Sintra.
One of the principle causes to hike within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is for its pure magnificence. The park is dwelling to a wide range of plant and animal species, and the surroundings is breathtaking. In addition to its pure magnificence, the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park can be dwelling to a variety of historic and cultural websites, together with castles, palaces, and different landmarks.
Hiking within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park can be an effective way to get some train and benefit from the contemporary air. The park presents a wide range of trails for hikers of all ability ranges, starting from straightforward, well-marked paths to tougher routes for knowledgeable hikers.
12. Take a ship tour of the Sintra Coast
A ship tour of the Sintra Coast is one thing it’s important to do when you go to the town for greater than a day journey. It often consists of stops at a variety of 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 can ebook a ship tour when you’re within the metropolis. The excursions often final a couple of hours and should embody commentary from a information or native historian. We discover it is a nice technique to expertise the fantastic thing about the Sintra Coast and study in regards to the area’s historical past and tradition.
13. Try some native delicacies
Sintra is dwelling to a variety of wonderful eating places that serve conventional Portuguese dishes. Visitors can attempt some native favorites corresponding to pastel de nata (custard tarts), bacalhau (salted cod), or cozido à portuguesa (a standard stew).
The Portuguese love their sardines. You can discover them in most shops, and even on the bike and automotive rental retailers in Sintra. In Lisbon, it looks like they’re on each nook!
They is probably not for everybody, however it’s a very good salty snack to take with you as you traverse the grounds and journey to every attraction. There are typically a variety of taste choices so take your time studying every label. Read extra: Portuguese Food: 26 Traditional Dishes to attempt in Portugal or at dwelling
14. Visit the Sintra Museum of Modern Art
The Sintra Museum of Modern Art (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 time retreat of the Portuguese royal household. (That Portuguese Royal Family acquired round!)
The museum’s assortment consists of works by Portuguese and worldwide artists from the Nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a concentrate on fashionable and modern artwork. The assortment consists of work, sculptures, images, and different artistic endeavors, and it’s recognized for its robust illustration of Portuguese modernism.
In addition to its everlasting assortment, the Sintra Museum of Modern Art additionally hosts short-term exhibitions and occasions, corresponding to lectures, workshops, and live shows. If you like artwork you aren’t going to need to miss visiting probably the most vital cultural establishments in Portugal.
The museum go to is certainly free for folks underneath 17 or over 60 years previous and for pupil card holders. Everyone else pays 1 (one) euro.
Conclusion
Sintra is a stupendous and historic city with a wide range of cultural and leisure actions to supply guests. Whether you’re concerned about exploring the city’s historical past, visiting Pena Palace, having fun with the nice outdoor, or enjoyable on one of many area’s lovely seashores, there’s one thing for everybody if 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 essentially the most up-to-date info.