Sintra's old village, a magic and wonderfull place just in the outskirts of Lisbon, just a 20/30 mins drive from Lisbon's city center.
To be honest, it is one of my favorite places, from the ones i've visited, both in Portugal and through Europe, this place never ceases to amaze me.
It has plenty of things to do and beautifull places to see.
Go back to the medieval ages and visit the "Palácio da Pena", one of the portuguese most beautiful monuments!
It is a palace where kings lived, King Carlos I of Portugal and his wife Queen D. Amelia often used it and in fact this became her favourite residence. It is located on top of an hill with tremendous views over the surrounding forest, the not so far away sea and the portuguese capital.
Inside you can visit all the rooms which are decorated with the same objects and furniture used by the royal families.
It really does take you back in time and gives you another perspective about how royalty lived in that period.
Adventure yourself in the forest surrounding the palace, it is great for family picnics, excellent for photography lovers and amazingly attractive for the most adventurous and curious ones, specially during the night when story tells that some mysteries happen!
You can also visit the "Quinta da Regaleira" with its gardens and caves that you can explore at your own risk!
Trust me, it is definitly worth it, but do remember yourself to take some light or lantern as there is no artificial nor natural light inside.
And if you like Dante's most famous book, the Divine Comedy, you can look for the 9 circles of hell, purgatory and paradise which are represented in the "initiation well". This well was never used as water source, it was instead used for cerimonial purposes and initiation rites by the Masons. This well contains a 27 metres spiral staircase that you can use to get to the conecting caves.
Sintra is also famous for its gastronomy, do try the "Queijadas de Sintra", a mix of sweet dessert and pastry, you'll definitly love and cry for more. Try the local restaurants, ask for a fish plate or a traditional meat one and you'll not regret it!
You can visit the village which have plenty of good spots to eat, local shops to see and buy some souvenirs, and lovely places to take some photos.
There is a very good and regular transport system conecting Sintra and Lisbon, buses, trains, private companies or tours, so there is no excuses not to visit, it is a wonderful place to loose yourself into, check the medieval markets that are often made there, try the local shopping and be marveled by the history and the athmosphere of this place. IT IS DEFINITLY WORTH IT!!!
I'll leave you with some more photos of my visit, see you next time.
Até á próxima obrigado!!
