When visiting Lisbon and surrounding areas, Sintra is a must see town. It does feel like a place full of magic and gives you sense of some sort of peace. The town of Sintra is a very unique and special area, but you can only understand it by experiencing it yourself. It is a site that you can visit again and again, and still discover something, that you haven’t seen before. I have visited Sintra multiple times myself, but I still feel like going back at least once a year to experience the comfort that Sintra gives.
Sintra has been named a Unesco World Heritage Site, once a summer sanctuary for the royals. “Hans Christian Andersen was in Sintra as a guest of the O’Neill family from 26 July to 8 August 1866. He said that “all foreigners will be able to find a piece of their homeland in Sintra. I discovered Denmark there. But I thought I rediscovered many beloved pieces of other beautiful lands….“. But “the Palácio is entirely lacking in beauty, with its twin chimneys looking more like champagne bottles.“ Yet “different, more beautiful and picturesque“ is “D. Fernando’s summer palace“. “The whole mountain road is a garden, a wonderful combination of nature and art, the most beautiful walk you can imagine.“ Monserrate is “a true vignette of the Thousand and One Nights, a fairy-tale vision“. In short, “unrivalled Sintra, the most beautiful and lauded part of Portugal“.”
How to get to Sintra
Sintra is located about 45 minutes train ride from Lisbon. The return cost for the train ticket is 4.60€, however if you don’t have the Viva Viagem card, you will need to purchase it for extra 50cents. The card can be topped up, so if you are looking to return to Portugal, please keep it(I am sure that once you visit Sintra you will feel the urge to come back.) I would recommend purchasing your ticket the night before, as the station and the tills can get very busy in the morning with the locals commuting as well as tourist trying to purchase their ticket and looking for information, which usually takes a little bit longer. Depending on your accommodation, Lisbon Rossio station as well as Estação do Oriente can be your starting point for the Sintra trip.
Tips for visiting Sintra
There are a couple of things worth mentioning and for you to consider. If you are traveling to Sintra from Lisbon, you are probably only staying for a day, therefore I would recommend looking at the list of the castles and picking maximum 3 that you would like to visit. All of them have huge gardens and I do not exaggerate when I say, that they are all magnificent. You should also think about how many people visit the site, this will contribute to the time you spend there as well. Buying tickets online is a must if you want to avoid long queues. I will include the links for you to be able to do it. I have searched for the best offers and this is something I have used personally. Another important bit is the food…Although Sintra is filled with amazing places to eat, restaurants, bars and cafes, if you are visiting for a day, I would recommend bringing a packed lunch with you as the day will be filled with exploring. Check the train timetable and see if you will have enough time for a dinner in Sintra, or if not have it when you are back in Lisbon. Again, If you feel like seeing just to palaces and having a lunch in between – sounds like an amazing idea.
How to get to the Sintra palaces from the city centre
You will have a couple of options here. As soon as you leave the train station and turn left, there is a bus stop. you can catch a city bus that will take you to the palace you want, please bare in mind that they are VERY busy, but good value for money. You can also catch a hop on hop off bus, however they are not very frequent and pricy compared to the city bus. It is a great option to admire Sintra and it stops in some beautiful locations, but I will talk about it in another post, as this one is about the palaces and planing your day to make the most of your time when you want to see them. Uber is a great option as well, it is very reasonable, especially if there is more of you traveling, and most importantly it will save you a lot of time walking and waiting for buses.
Pena Palace Sintra
Pena Palace is situated on the Sintra Mountains, overlooking the town of Sintra and providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
This is probably the most visited palace in Sintra. I am not surprised because it truly looks like taken out from a fairytale. You will probably notice it the most on social media, as it provides an amazing background for photos and beautiful memories to look at in the future. It has a spectacular garden around it, so if you enjoy walking this will be an ideal place for you. If you would like to pack a picnic with you, there is plenty of spaces to enjoy it with your friends and family on a stunning sunny day. Make sure you also wear comfortable footwear, because as I mentioned before, there is plenty of walking!
The construction of Pena Palace began in the 19th century and was commissioned by King Ferdinand II. The palace was built on the ruins of an old monastery and reflects a Romantic style with a mixture of architectural influences, including Moorish, Gothic, and Manueline elements. The palace is accessible by a steep uphill walk or by a shuttle bus from the town of Sintra.
Pena Palace tickets online
Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra
Another stunning palace that I loved and spent hours there! This is the one with the beautiful Initiation Well. You probably seen it a lot while googling what to do in Sintra, well this is it. The well is not a traditional water source but rather a structure with a spiral staircase leading down into the earth. The purpose and symbolism of the well are subject to interpretation, but it is often associated with mystical and esoteric themes. Some believe that the well represents a journey into the underworld or initiation into secret knowledge. Be prepared to queue for the well, as it is a super popular place. This palace is a walking distance from Sintra city centre, so if you fancy some uphill walking, this is it. It is also surrounded by a fantastic garden where you can admire the nature and many different types of plants. It also looks spectacular in the photos. As with Pena Palace, buying online tickets is recommended if you don’t want to queue for ages.
Quinta da Regaleira tickets online
National Palace of Sintra
Centrally located and unique National Palace of Sintra. This palace has also a stunning garden attached to it, however it is not as spectacular in size as others. This perhaps can be your starting point, I found the history of the palace really interesting and enjoyed the insides of it the most. While outside, and in season, you can enjoy the fresh hot chestnuts. Near the palace, you will also find Casa Piriquita, which is a bakery founded in 1862 by Amaro dos Santos, a baker by profession and his wife Constância Gomes, who worked there. the quality of the products have remained the same for 160 years. Constância Luísa Cunha, the founder’s daughter developed Travesseiro, a pastry filled with egg candy and with an almond touch, but with the secret so well kept that only the direct family has access to the filling recipe.
Today, in the fifth generation, this is a rare case of survival of a family project. I highly recommend stopping for a moment to taste delicious pastries that the bakery is producing fresh everyday.
The National Palace of Sintra is characterised by a blend of architectural styles, including Moorish, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance elements. It has distinctive twin chimneys that are visible from a distance. he palace has a rich history, with its origins dating back to the Moorish period. It served as a royal residence for various Portuguese monarchs over the centuries. The palace underwent several expansions and renovations, resulting in its unique architectural combination.
Palacio Nacional de Sintra tickets online
Monserrate Palace in Sintra
This is my favourite palace in Sintra. Monserrate Palace has stole my heart and I can’t wait to visit it again. The garden is huge and I can guarantee you can spend there a full day, if you love nature as much as I do. It takes you into a magical journey to a fairytale and trust me, you will not want to go back. I was so amazed by its beauty and for some reason, even though I have visited Sintra many times, I only been to see Monserrate Palace only once. I am however planning to fix this mistake and make sure I spend enough time there when I go to Sintra next. You have to see it for yourself, otherwise no words can describe it.
Monserrate Palace is located on the outskirts of Sintra, amidst the lush greenery of the Sintra mountains. It is far, therefore I recommend catching Uber, as walking there will take some time. The palace is a prime example of the Romantic architectural style and was commissioned by Sir Francis Cook, an English merchant and art collector. The design of the palace is influenced by various architectural styles, including Gothic, Indian, and Moorish elements. The eclectic combination of styles gives Monserrate Palace a distinct and exotic appearance. Monserrate Palace’s construction began in the mid-19th century. Sir Francis Cook purchased the property in 1856 and enlisted the services of architect James Knowles Jr. and later, James Thomas Knowles, to create the unique design. The palace underwent various transformations over the years. The palace is surrounded by extensive gardens that are renowned for their botanical diversity. The gardens include a variety of plant species from different parts of the world, showcasing the Victorian fascination with exotic flora. Notable features in the gardens include the Waterfall Lake, the Mexican Garden, and the Rose Garden.
Monserrate Palace tickets online
Moorish Castle sintra Portugal
The Moorish Castle is situated on a hilltop in the Sintra Mountains, providing panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the town of Sintra and the Pena Palace. The castle has a long history dating back to the 8th or 9th century during the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. It played a strategic role in the region’s defense. Over the centuries, the castle underwent various modifications and expansions. One of the main attractions of the Moorish Castle is its stunning views. Visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, including the Pena Palace and the town of Sintra. The location atop a hill provides a strategic vantage point. The castle is surrounded by walls that follow the contours of the hill. Visitors can explore the ramparts and towers, which offer not only historical insights but also fantastic photo opportunities.
Moorish Castle Sintra Tickets online
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