The picturesque town of Sintra captivates the attention of every visitor in Portugal. From stunning cliffs to lush green forests, Sintra is a perfect blend of nature and beauty.
The town has a proud 19th century Romanticist heritage with palaces, villas and the most famous Palacio de Pena. Venturing beyond the tourist trails reveals a side of Sintra Portugal which is magnificent and majestic to capture the heart of rovers.
Sintra is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, and if you wanna truly immerse yourself in the magic of the beauty of Sintra, this guide unveils the best attractions to visit.
Known for its charismatic historical buildings and royal charm, Sintra captivates the travelers with its fairytale-like landscapes and royal history. In this blog, we will be revealing the top attractions that make Sintra an unforgettable travel destination. The top attractions are as follows;
Standing atop the Sintra Mountains, Moorish castle echoes the rich history and royal charm. Built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th centuries, this ancient architecture evokes a sense of elegance with its towers, walls and views of the fort’s landscapes. Walking through its corridors, you’ll be taken back to the time of medieval battles and glories. The castle’s architectural significance offers a glimpse into Portugal’s history and appreciates its fusion with natural beauty.
In the Sintra Portugal guide you will find Quinta da Regaleira. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and built at the beginning of the 20th century, this romantic architectural complex in Manueline style includes a palace, chapel and gardens with caves.
This Alpine style building set in the grounds of Pena Park was commissioned by King Ferdinand II for his wife, Elise Hensler, Countess of Edla. This building has seen unfortunate circumstances as it was damaged by fire in 1999 but was restored. The building is extremely beautiful, characterized by the horizontal designs, imitating cladding, extensive use of cork, covering frames, as well as trunks and beautiful plants.
Given the title of Portugal’s “Seven Wonders”, Pena Palace was constructed by the order of King Ferdinand II in 1838 on the high ruins of an ancient monastery.
Built as a summer residence, it has inside stuccoes and enchanting paintings, as well as views that will amaze you in the park. You can take a guided tour. One of the best Sintra Sightseeing monuments.
A Beautiful Franciscan monastery is twirling amidst the dense forests of Serra de Sintra. This 17th century monastery is the perfect example of architecture, beautification and natural surroundings. Surrounded by ancient forests, the main chappal hidden in the cave makes this place stunning for visitors. Recently, this place has been completely taken over by the forest, and it is one of the most fascinating attractions of Sintra.
In the Sintra travel guide, go see Cruz Alta. At 528 meters, this eminence is marked by a Manueline-style stone cross and is strewn with granite blocks.
At this height, there is a beautiful view of the assortment of colorful towers of the Pena palace, as well as the green tones of the Sintra mountains.
Often overlooked by travelers, this beautiful palacio de monserrate is truly a hidden gem of the Sintra region. From intricate geometrical patterns of carving to asian-inspired stone inlaying, this grand villa is filled with beautiful detailing. It was constructed by Francis Cook, who was once the richest man of Britain. Therefore, feel lucky to visit this perfect place in summers and see the stunning art!
Once the summer residence of Portuguese royalty, the Monserrate Palace is a 19th century manor house with Anglo-Saxon, Indian and Arab architectural influences. Like the Quinta da Regaleira and the Pena Palace, the Monserrate Palace was also designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 1990s. The estate contains a botanical garden, which is a perfect place to sit and rest after a day’s walk from palace to palace.
Most westerly point of mainland Europe, the Cabo da Roca is a barren coastline of Atlantic waves and towering cliffs. This region is a perfect spot to appreciate nature’s raw beauty.
At the top of the cliff, there is a powerful lighthouse and there are scenic coastal footpaths too. This magical location offers the perfect sun drop.
Sintra’s palace is mentioned as evergreen beauty in every travel guide. Distinctive for its pair of white conical towers, the palace of Sintra is the oldest in the city. Moreover, no medieval royal residence is in a better state of conservation in Portugal.
Royalty lived here intermittently between the 1400s and 1700s, and each successive occupant added a bit of his own personality. King Manuel I, who was responsible for much of the interior decoration, dressed the walls with Seville azulejos.
A night at the Seteias Palace can allow you to briefly live the royal dream! This five-star luxury hotel was built in the 18th century and exudes elegance in every room and around every corner. Boasting a gourmet restaurant and carefully decorated suites, a night at the Setaias Palace is hard to forget. However, step into your role and feel like a king!
The coast of Sintra is beautiful and a popular place for locals to do water sports such as surfing and paragliding. The beaches of Praias da Adraga and Praias da Ursa are a little further away and are only accessible by car, the latter requiring a slow descent to the beach from the car park.
In conclusion, Sintra is undoubtedly a magical place and one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. Located in stunning backdrop, pine covered hills and beaches, this place never fails in proving itself as the “most beautiful place in Portugal” by Hnas Christian Anderson.
If you are visiting this heritage site for the first time, you may be overwhelmed by a lot of attractions and it might be difficult to comprehend the best of them. So, to help you choose where to go, we have put together this guide enlisting top places to visit in Sintra Portugal.
All these places are captivating and you too are dreaming of discovering the thousand magic of Sintra, apply for a Portugal visa appointment. Apply for your Portugal visa online and get it easily with us. Moreover, you can find further information on our site.
Q. Is Sintra worth a trip from Lisbon?
A. The palaces, castle, forests and landmarks are perfect to make this place a UNESCO heritage site. With such adorabl;e destinations, a place can’t be boring.
Q. What’s so special about Sintra?
A. The romantic European architecture with the blend of Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements makes the buildings unique and worth visiting.
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