One unforgettable day in Sintra – Part 1
Are you preparing for your trip to Portugal? Then book one unforgettable day in Sintra.
Sintra is a must destination in Portugal. It has it all for a happy and successful trip: it is conveniently located from Lisbon – less than an hour’s drive by Lisbon transfer to Sintra – it is also extremely beautiful and it probably has the highest density of castles in Europe.
So what’s in store for somebody seeking to enjoy the most of the Sintra Portuguese experience? Here are some of the points well worth taking into account:
Sintra is easily accessible, like we said, and quite compact. You can enjoy a city break here easily, but a day trip is also acceptable.
Once you get to town, the first step worth making is the Palacio Nacional de Sintra, which governs the central side of town. This can easily be the starting point for your adventure here. You can also stop for a coffee or a snack and amp up your energy before carrying on with your tour.
Next stop: the beautiful ruins of the Moorish Castle. The joined history of Moors and Europeans has left important traces around Portugal and Sintra makes no exception. The Moorish Castle is one of the greatest constructions to have stood the test of time. It used to be a fort built by the Moors in the 9th century, then it was conquered by the Crusaders and ultimately abandoned to decay around the 12th century. Luckily, in the mid-18th century, King Fernando II fell in love with the beautiful ruins of the castle and set about to restore it to (some sort of) glory. It basically gave it the fantastic ruin allure and promoted the forests that surround it and the wonderful landscapes over the town that you can enjoy from uphill.
