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Sintra, Portugal
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| Sintra Palacio da Pena |
Palacio Nacional da Pena is truly a bizzare piece of architecture with its candy coloured spires, studded turrets and ornate decorations. King Neptune glares down at approaching visitors from above an arched doorway decorated with coral and shells, and grand terraces look out over the surrounding countryside. The royal family fled from the palace on the eve of the revolution in 1910, and all the rooms have been preserved almost exactly as they left them, with the dinner table still laid with silver and china, statues and delicate vases lining the ballroom, and a massive crystal chandelier cascading from the ceiling. Despite its grandeur and extravagance, however, it still has a lived-in, almost homely feel. The palace has a restaurant on one of the roof terraces, where you can dine looking out over the palace grounds.
For its location, the prices are actually quite reasonable. Parque da Pena, which surrounds Palacio Nacional da Pena, is extensive to say the least. Filled with massive redwoods, camellias, ferns, running streams and mosses, the park is a great place for a short stroll or a more lengthy exploration.
Tourist Information
Tourist Office
| Name | Sintra Tourist Office |
| Address | Praça da Republica, 23, 2710 Sintra, Portugal |
| Phone | +351 21 923 1157 |
| Fax | +351 21 923 5176 |
If you’re still feeling energetic, the 360 degree panoramic views
from Castelo dos Mouros are well worth the trek. The battlements of this
ruined castle snake over the mountaintop that overlooks the town, and
from the top you can see the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Lisbon in
the south-east. Forget walking up the road, which is busy, narrow and
windy, but instead take the quicker route from the town via Rua Marechal
Saldanha. This route also allows you, at one or two points and with
great caution, to walk along the battlements to look out over the
surrounding forest. The most imposing building in Sintra is without
doubt Palacio National de Sintra, which dominates the skyline with two
massive conical chimneys. Portugal’s famously beautiful azulejos,
or hand-painted tiles, can be seen in several of the rooms, and the
Moorish influence is evident in several fountains, mosaic and arabesque
doorways. After soaking yourself in Sintra’s elegance embrace your
inner child with a trip to Museu do Binquedo. This charming and
extensive toy museum contains more than 20,000 toys from around the
world - everything from Barbies and Meccano to lead soldiers, kites and
clockwork trains. The wheelchair-bound owner, Joao, can often be found
in the museum and has an infectious passion about every one of his toys.
Pick any piece in the collection and chances are he can not only
recollect the date and place of purchase, but will be able to throw an
amazing story about its origins or history into the bargain as well.
Sintra is as eclectic as it is enticing, and from the moment you leave
you will want to return. Christine Flatley
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| Sintra Neptune |
Getting There
Sintra is one hour away from Lisbon by train, one of which runs every 15 minutes.
Staying there
The villas are nice in the hills around Sintra, but it is best visited on a day trip from Lisbon. For more information and places to stay in Lisbon - click here.
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