Make a trip to Sintra

‘Did you go to Sintra?’ is the usual question asked by veterans of Portugal’s capital.

Despite being a totally different city and situated more than half an hour away from Lisbon by car, the glorious town of Sintra remains one of the major attractions here.

Daytrips are common, while others will want to spend a couple of days exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It sits high up amidst the mythical Mountains of the Moon, displaying elegant baroque churches, colorful mansions and the grand palaces of former Portuguese kings and queens.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Stroll around LX Factory

Image
What is it? Markets, exhibitions, shops, cafes, concerts, parties. There is a whole world to discover in this cosmopolitan "factory" that completely altered the landscape of Alcantara in 2008. Why go? Essential things to do on your retail therapy excursion include a trip to renovated industrial complex LX factory, a shopping city within the city. This uber-trendy venue hosts an eclectic selection of places to eat, drink, dance and spend some serious Euros.  Here you can cut your hair, look for surfboards or even sleep. Don’t miss: The weekly market on Sundays.
Read more

Search for bargains at Feira da Ladra

Image
What is it? This is the Lisbon equivalent to Madrid’s El Rastro or London’s Portobello Market. Feira da Ladra started in the 13th century and moved around town, before setting up camp at its current Campo de Santa Clara location in 1903. Why go? If you enjoy pottering around flea markets when you’re on holiday, go to Feira da Ladra. There’s a bit of everything there, from socks to second-hand books to vintage silk handkerchiefs every Tuesday and Saturday. Don’t miss: Rise early for the best experience.
Read more

Marvel at the Aqueduto das Águas Livres

Image
Another of the great visual landmarks of Lisbon is the Aqueduto das Águas Livres. This eye-popping stretch of stone arches and Italianesque architecture was first created in the middle of the 18th century. It was conceived to relieve Lisbon’s perpetual summertime water shortages, and was built to fit in seamlessly with the Gothic revivalism of the city proper. Be sure to check out the section of aqueduct which rolls directly over the rooftops of the Amoreiras district, and then make a beeline for the Water Museum, which chronicles the development of this masterpiece.
Read more