Sintra: A Summer Retreat for Portuguese Royalty

Sintra's setting amidst wooded ravines and freshwater springs made it the obvious location of choice for royalty to escape from Lisbon's summer heat. It is a pleasant 30km drive from Lisbon through some beautiful scenery, past centuries-old manor houses and historic farms which hark back to another gentler era. Although Sintra attracts thousands of tourists each year, it is still possible to enjoy tranquil walks in the surrounding hills.

Sintra is an authentic old town with a maze of winding streets. It is a noted World Heritage Site on account of the wonderful romantic architecture which adds to its distinctive charm. Exploring the town on foot (the best way to enjoy it) can be hard on the feet as there is plenty of climbing.

At the heart of the old town is the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, the Royal Palace which is marked by a pair of conical chimneys. Built by Joao I in the late 14th century, it was a favoured summer retreat for Portuguese royalty and their court until the 1880s when it was superceded by the Pena Palace.

Things to Do in Sintra

Although the city begs to be explored on foot, another great way to see the sights is from a horse-drawn carriage. A good guide will give a commentary on the buildings and history of Sintra making it a delightful way to orientate yourself with the town. Sintra's main attraction is the Royal Palace with its enclave of extensive rooms, kitchens and banqueting hall. The Moorish-style Chapel has intricate patterns on the walls and a beautiful mosaic floor. Painted ceramic tiles, called azulejos, can be found throughout the palace and add colourful decoration, particularly in the Sala dos Brasoes.

Other attractions and things to do in Sintra include the Castelo dos Mouros which has great views from its hilltop position. The extensive walls and flag-topped towers were renovated by King Ferdinand II in the 1830s. The underground water cistern allowed it to withstand any siege. The castle looks across the scenic Sintra-Cascais Natural Park which offers scenic hiking trails for the more energetic. The Sintra Mountain range is also a major attraction for visitors to the area and stretches for 10 miles from Sintra to Cabo da Roca on the Atlantic coast.

Last, but certainly not least, is the romantic Pena Palace with its ornate turreted roof and dome which stands on a nearby hill, about 5km outside Sintra. It demonstrates a fabulous medley of architectural styles and was built in the 19th century for Ferdinand, King Consort of Maria II. Pena Palace is a National Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, the others being the Castles of Guimaraes, Obidos Castle, Batalha Monastery, Alcobaça Monastery, the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon.

Other things to do in Sintra should include exploring Sintra's woodland with a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, exploring the woods or sitting in a shady corner of one of the parks in this lovely green area of South Portugal.

Food and Drink in Sintra

Cuisine in Sintra reflects similar dishes to the rest of this region. Octopus salad is a popular appetizer or lunch. Rice is widely used, served with shrimp, fish and other seafood. The bread is delicious and may be served with chorizo inside. The Portuguese wine is cheap and full-bodied and of course the Portuguese flan dessert is a perfect finale to any meal.

Source: aguide2portugal (copywrite)