Sintra
Sintra is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal and voted “the most romantic destination in 2019” by Brides Magazine. Rich in history and views, Sintra will leave you breathless! If you’re lucky, you may spot Madonna who has a home here.
To See
The most recognizable place to go is Pena Palace (seen in the photo above!) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace sits atop a mountain with spectacular views of all of Sintra and Pena National Park. There are tours of inside the palace that at a minimum, takes 40 minutes to view all of the staterooms, 30 minutes to admire the terraces, and 10 minutes to walk from the ticket office to the palace entrance. Bring your walking shoes!
Castelo Dos Mouros was taken by Christian forces after the fall of Lisbon in 1147. It sits right next to Pena Palace and has fabulous views of the surrounding area.
Monserrate Palace is a little over two miles from Sintra Center. To get there it is served by the 435 tourist bus service. This bus departs from Sintra train station, passes through the historic centre of Sintra and ends at the entrance to Monserrate. It was the “summer home” of the Portuguese Court. You can tour the inside, spending 30 minutes inside the palace itself and 90 minutes strolling around its delightful gardens.
In the heart of Sintra center is The Palacio Nacional Sintra which is the best preserved medieval royal palace in all of Portugal.
Quinta da Regaleira is well worth the visit with much to see and explore. The property consists of a romantic palace and chapel, and a luxurious park that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions. Here is a helplful link that gives you a deeper dive! A typical visit is 1.5 -2 hours. It is a 5 minute walk from Sintra tourist office and walking distance from our wedding venue!
Visit the beautiful coast and go to Cabo da Roca- the most western point of mainland Europe. Hold onto to your hats, it is usually very breezy but the windswept cliffs are beautiful to see.
Also along the coast are many gorgeous beaches you will fall in love with. 1)Praia da Adraga is known for its rock formations. 2)Praia das Maças is the easiest beach to get to from Sintra without a car. The electric tram that trundles between Sintra’s historical centre and this sandy, partly sheltered beach explains why its so popular but its natural beauty does the rest. 3)Praia Grande: Best beach in Sintra for surfing and beachfront cafés!
To Eat
1.Romaria de Baco
If you’d rather eat away from the tourist crowds but would prefer not to leave the city center, Romaria de Baco is the perfect spot. Hidden on a side street near the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, it’s mostly frequented by locals and those lucky visitors who come following the recommendation of someone in the know. The food is traditional Portuguese with a modern twist.
Tascantiga is a no-frills menu that offers plenty of vegetarian options. In a nutshell, it’s perfect for everyone. Sure, it’s popular among visitors, but it’s earned this fame for a reason—it’s just that good. tapas style so good for lighter fare.
Piriquita -Although you can’t have a meal of coffee and pastries alone (or can you?), you can’t leave Sintra without dropping into Piriquita. Founded in 1862, this is undoubtedly one of the most famous pastelarias (pastry shops) in town.
Incomum located near train station gets rave reviews for its octopus as well as other delights
Apeadeiro is a classic Sintra restaurant for eating large servings of authentic Portuguese dishes. Though the unassuming tasca (tavern) is a popular spot for hungry locals. Located on the same block at Incomum. Pro Tip: Apeadeiro serves two meal sizes. Only order a large meal if you’re ravenous or sharing with a friend. This is the case with most Portuguese tascas.