Largo Rainha Dona Amélia, 2710-616 Sintra, Portugal
We liked Sintra and spent about a half day there. We only toured the Moorish ruins and the Palace. Both were very interesting. The biggest challenge with Sintra is the number of people there and the lines to see the sites. There is transit up the mountain but even with it there is a lot of walking and a lot of it navigating different elevations. The train seems to be the best way of getting to Sintra as there is limited parking there.
What a wonderful place to visit! Apart from the town of Sintra having such charm and beauty, spending time observing the Palace made our trip to Sintra. The rooms have been beautifully preserved and the gold leafed ceiling in the main room is absolutely breath taking. It wasn't crowded at all so we could take our time exploring the rooms and Princes Garden. Photography without flash is allowed.
Fabulous palace, full of history and wonderful architecture. Unfortunately on the day of our visit visibility was poor so we didn't see the wonderful views. Well worth a visit. Quite a steep walk to the top but there is a bus for those who need it.
The Pena Palace of Sintra is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built as a monastery but was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and sat in ruins until1838 when Ferdinand II bought the land and started rebuilding. Plan on buying a ticket ahead of time as it can be very crowded and the earlier in the day you visit, the better. It is a long climb from the village so better off taking transportation to the gate if you are not physically fit. It is worth the visit. The architecture and views are astounding.
Wonderful side trip on our tour. Very hilly making difficult if you have any ambulation difficulties. However if you can accomplish 30 to 40 degree climbs there are multiple quaint shops along the narrow streets. Down on the main plaza area you will find two wonderful restaurants for lunch and the beautiful Sintra National Palace which, in itself, is worth the trip.
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