Sintra in Portugal

Sintra on the Portuguese Riviera is one of the oldest towns in Portugal, located just a little distance from the capital Lisbon. In 1995, this picturesque retreat was the first European town to be listed as a UNESCO Cultural Landscape site. This fairytale town is home to the colorful National Palace of Pena, which showcases Moorish and Renaissance architectural styles, and is surrounded by luxurious gardens with over 500 species of trees! Nearby are the meandering walls of the Moorish Castle that offer extraordinary views of the surrounding area and the ocean. In the historic town center, find the iconic Palace of Sintra, also called Town Palace, famed for its octagonal Swan Room frescoed with gold-collared swans, the Magpie and Galleon Rooms, and the restored kitchen with its two conical chimneys. A short stroll down the cobblestoned streets and narrow stairways lead you to the old town, where charming shops, churches, and townhouses await. In the heart of the old town, you will also find the Quinta da Regaleira, a sprawling UNESCO-listed site that houses an ornate palace, a chapel, and a lush park replete with grottoes, tunnels, caves, and ceremonial initiation wells!