Journey through Sintra - the historical center and palaces

 Experience an enchanting stroll through Sintra's historical center and palaces. Be wowed by its National Palace with its century-old list of visiting kings and queens and Pena Palace with its lavish decor - ornate embellishments, towers, gardens...all combined into one!

The historical center and palaces are very interesting and beautiful, and in order to have time to see them all, we recommend renting a car here - bookingauto.com, and then choose one of the interesting excursions here - excurzilla.com

Participate in an enjoyable small-group tour led by an experienced guide.

National Palace

At the entrance to the Historical Center stands an imposing structure featuring Neoclassical and Baroque elements, enhanced through major restoration efforts conducted during the latter half of 20th century.

The National Palace boasts four floors with exotic vegetal motifs in its interior decoration that flow effortlessly into its gardens. Used during colonial rule as both offices and residence for Viceroy, as well as serving civic acts such as welcoming heads of state and foreign governments, delivering credential letters, hosting the ceremonial Cry of Dolores on September 15th and official reading of Declaration of Independence.

The belvedere at the top of the palace offers breathtaking views over a mountain range that includes Pena National Palace, Moorish Castle and St Gregory's castle - as well as Quinta da Regaleira, Seteais and Cabo da Roca (westernmost point in continental Europe).

Pena Palace

Palaces were historically used by kings as their place of residence to showcase their wealth and indulge in luxury. Some palaces even boasted up to 2300 rooms decorated in every way possible imaginable; additionally they featured beautiful gardens maintained daily by professional gardeners to keep them stunningly stunning.

Pena Palace, situated atop one of Sintra's hills and easily visible from Lisbon and most of its metropolitan area, has become one of the most Instagrammed spots due to its vibrant walls and fairy-like ambience.

The Palace combines elements of Romanticism and Mudejar Moorish Revival style with Neo-Gothic elements, particularly its Great Hall. This room once served as an area for leisure and socialization and features sofas, large mirrors, and an impressive collection of Central European stained glass.

Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira stands as an outstanding example of fairytale palaces and magical castles, located in Sintra's Historical Center and recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape. As one of the most impressive landmarks built since 1900, its owner Antonio Augusto Carvalho Monteiro achieved his goal of turning his property into an artistic masterpiece with help from Luigi Manini who served as Scenographer-Architect of its construction.

This led to a fantasy palace composed of underground tunnels, hidden grottoes, and impenetrable secrets - an example of Symbolism of its time. The palace features symbols drawn from heraldic tradition, initiatory ceremonies and alchemy - all familiar concepts for architect and commissioner Carvalho Monteiro as well as the scenographer-architect Manini.

After touring this remarkable Quinta, be prepared for an exquisite experience at its sprawling wings of unrestrained decor and gardens filled with mazes - you'll feel like royalty. Following your tour of this entrancing Quinta, stroll through National Palace and Pena Palace before visiting Cabo da Roca to take in amazing panoramic views from Europe's westernmost point.

Cabo da Roca

Your final stop along the coast will bring you to Cabo da Roca, Europe's Westernmost Point. Here, take in amazing ocean views while lounging on one of its incredible beaches or just relaxing. Additionally, stop at Guincho beach with its vibrant atmosphere, or Cascais, an old fishing village turned aristocratic retreat.

Cabo de Gata Natural Park provides this tour based on an ecotourism model which prioritizes sustainability, conservation and local community welfare. Perfect for anyone seeking nature-inspired adventure - an easy walk along asphalt in the Historic Center followed by single lane paths or gravel roads without traffic throughout most of its path - this walk provides plenty of outdoor fun!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Girona

Image
We visited the city of Girona quite often, but, surprisingly, all our visits were connected with the local airport – one of Russian low-cost airlines brings tourists there. And almost all the time, we perceived Girona as a “neighborhood of Barcelona” and a kind of “old step” on the way to the big city. It was totally undeserved. Finally, we decided to correct this injustice. I have not seen such enthusiasm to take photos for a long time.   The history of the city begins before our era, because the Iberians who settled these places needed a fortified structure on the road to Gaul, and the Romans needed the same for wars with the Moors . It was the Romans who gave the name “Gerund” to the settlement, which later became Girona. The County of Girona (one of 14 original Catalan counties), which passed under the rule of various ruling dynasties (mainly France and Spain), was formed as a result of various feudal collisions in the Middle Ages.   In relatively recent history, Girona has been da
Read more

Nice

Image
  Nice is among the best cities to go to in France and will surely make you glad you decided to spend your vacation there. It lies in the French Riviera region, in Southern France, bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by the Mediterranean Sea. Nice is also quite a good place to base yourself during your visit for exploring the rich cultural history of this lovely region. In addition to being an attractive tourist destination, Nice has many attractions for travelers to check out. One of the best things about Nice is the diversity of its culture and climate. Because Nice is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, its weather is often hot and humid, giving Nice the distinction of being the best places to swim during the summer. Other than Nice beaches, there are other great places to enjoy Nice holidays, such as the Picasso Museum, which is well worth a visit, as is the Basilica de Nice. People who enjoy art will find much to appreciate in Nice and the surrounding region
Read more

Monaco

Image
Monaco, ruled by Prince Albert II of the Grimaldi dynasty, is one of the few principalities that have survived to this day. The history of this principality is rooted in the depths of centuries, and dates back to the time of the Phoenicians (and this, just think of it, the 10th century BC!). The modern history of Monaco began when the colony of the Genoese Republic was founded in this area in 1215, in then Francesco Grimaldi became a local ruler in 1297 . So, the Grimaldi dynasty has been ruling in Monaco for more than 700 years, from 1297 to our days (of course, given the fact that during this impressive period there were wars and regime changes in Europe, as a result of which Monaco passed under the protectorate of various states).   The most significant personalities that influenced the fate of the principality during the 20th century include Aristotle Onassis, who significantly strengthened the Monaco economy with his investments, and Prince Rainier III, who developed the country’s
Read more