Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
age-listed centre, Sintra-Vila, is dotted with pastel-hued manors folded into luxuriant hills
that roll down to the blue Atlantic.
Celts worshipped their moon god here, the Moors built a precipitous castle, and 18th-
century Portuguese royals swanned around its dreamy gardens. Even Lord Byron waxed
lyrical about Sintra's charms: 'Lo! Cintra's glorious Eden intervenes, in variegated maze
of mount and glen', which inspired his epic poem
Childe Harold's Pilgrimage
.
It's an unmissable day trip and, if time's not an issue, has enough allure to keep you
there for several days.
Sintra has become quite popular in recent years, and it's hard to escape the tourist
masses (especially in the summer). Go early in the day mid-week to escape the worst of
the crowds.
If arriving by train, go to the last stop - Portela de Sintra - from which it's a pleasant
1km walk (or short bus ride) into the village.
