Sintra is a colorful town hidden in the lush hills of Portugal.
A short day trip away from Lisbon, Sintra Portugal is becoming increasingly popular among tourists for sites like the Castelo dos Mouros, the Pena National Palace and the Sintra National Palace.
Sintra can be a magical place, but make sure to visit early in the day mid-week to escape the worst of the crowds.
Castelo dos Mouros, a medieval castle, sits high above the city and offers unforgettable 360 degree views and lush gardens. It is reminiscent of the Great Wall of China with towers, parapets, and steep staircases. It gets a bit windy, so remember to bring a coat.
You can find the oddly shaped National Palace of Sintra below the Castelo dos Mouros. The two stacks escape from the large palace kitchen. I wasn’t that impressed with the National Palace of Sintra (having seen several other palaces before), but I will admit that it does offer some awe-inspiring views.
The most impressive of all is the Pena National Palace (which I sadly didn’t even get to visit!) If I knew about this palace before my short visit to Sintra, it would have been a no brainer. The palace stands on the top of a hill above the town of Sintra, and on a clear day it can be easily seen from Lisbon. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. I am still kicking myself.
Attribution: Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC-BY-SA-3.0 or alternatively © CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC-BY-SA-3.0 Source
