The Moorish Castle
our first stop was the moorish castle, a 10th century castle founded under islamic rule 🏰 its famous for its snake-like walls and views over sintra! it’s the oldest monument in sintra! spent about 2 hours hiking up and around all of the castle and it’s walls, snapping photos, etc. you need a 12€ ticket to enter, but do not have to choose an entry time — we enjoyed our early morning visit, it was less crowded.
See MoreQuinta da Regaleira
the definition of whimsy! the garden is FULL of secret passageways, grottos, and portals! it’s home to gardens, of course, as well as a palace and these portals. you need a timed entry ticket, so make sure to book ahead (especially in the summer months) because it is extremely popular. it was fully created in the 1900s by an eccentric millionaire who employed esoteric, masonic, and knight templar symbolism throughout the space.
See MoreInitiation Well
the poço iniciatico (initiation well) that you climb into spits you out into a mystical cave. its believed to have been used for ceremonial purposes. there are lit trails that lead you behind waterfalls, to other portals, and of course, to the exit — make sure to explore them because once you exit, you have to start at the top again.
See MoreValley of the Lakes
instead of heading right up to the main entrance of the pena palace, our eclectic tuk tuk driver left us here. it’s a more peaceful entry point and allows you to wander through the manicured and wild gardens of the palace, packed with flora and fauna from all over the world — we saw a few sequoia trees from oregon! the walk up to the palace takes 20-30 minutes so consider that when factoring in your entry time.
See MoreNational Palace of Pena
ahhhh, the famed palace of pena! it really is a fairytale come to life. it was once a summer residence for the royal family, created and designed in the romanticism style of the 1800s. the red portion is a former 16th century monastery and the yellow was an addition from the 1840s by king ferdinand ii. the interiors are just as opulent as the exteriors!
See MoreCape Roca
a visit to the westernmost point in continental europe is just a short bus ride or drive away… and i would argue, a MUST. the coastline is more beautiful than you could imagine and where the sea meets the sky extends forever. we visited in the morning and had soft, glowy lighting and minimal people. the bus that runs from sintra (i believe is a 1623) is a bit chaotic and doesn’t 100% run on the scheduled times, but is definitely worth taking — note it’s cash only and 2.70€ per person one way.
See MoreCape Roca Lighthouse
one of the oldest lighthouses on the portuguese coast, the cabo da roca lighthouse started being used in 1772. its bright red color is a stark contrast to the endless blue around it!
See MorePraia da Aroeira
along the coast, the E9 trail can be followed to beaches and viewpoints. i ran out to praia do ursa, passing by the sheer cliffs and green coastline, admiring the crashing waves below. worth a look! it’s just so beautiful.
See MoreUrsa Beach
by far my favorite viewpoint and beach, the triangular cliffs with the lush green coastline, spring wildflowers, and sounds of the crashing waves below was pure magic. i could’ve sat here all day. note that the tide runs in and out, so the beach is not always accessible.
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