Sintra
Sintra is a popular tourist attraction due to its location being hilly, giving wonderful views of the countryside and the nearby coast and the many historic buildings in the area.
Sintra, located to the west of Lisbon. is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sintra has become a major tourist attraction, on account of its 19th century Romantic architecture. Attractions include the fabulous Pena Palace (19th c.) and the Castelo dos Mouros (reconstructed 19th c.) with a breath-taking view of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, and the summer residence of the kings of Portugal Palácio Nacional de Sintra (largely 15th/16th c.), in the town itself. The Sintra Mountain Range, one of the largest parks in the Lisbon area, (Serra de Sintra) is also a major tourist attraction.
There are three National Palaces in the Sintra area: -
Palácio da Vila also known as Sintra National palace;
Palácio da Pena and the nearby
Palácio de Queluz
along with various museums that contain important historical and artistic collections which document the region and the culture of Sintra.
With the inauguration of the railway between Lisbon and Sintra in 1887, the town became popular as a summer resort with the middle class of Lisbon. Sintra
remains a magnet for Portuguese and foreign artists, who have enriched the culture of this area.
Also in the area is a Moorish castle Castelo dos Mouros built in the 8th or 9th Century A.D., this castle is situated on two peaks of the Serra de Sintra, and from its walls there are magnificent views.
For more information on the Sintra area use these links:
Visit Portugal
Wikipedia
Local municipal site including
opening times and prices.
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