The picturesque town of Sintra, 18 miles (29km) northwest of
Lisbon, lies at the heart of one of Portugal's most appealing
holiday regions, abounding with natural beauty, historical and
cultural attractions and plenty of leisure opportunities. Sintra
itself, characterised by lush greenery, bright splashes of flowers
and elaborate 'wedding cake' palaces, was described as a 'glorious
Eden' by classic poet Lord Byron. No wonder it was once chosen by
royalty and nobility as the place to build their summer retreats,
and, in more modern times, has been accorded the status of a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Sintra is actually an amalgamation of three
villages, sprawling down a steep granite hillside, so the layout is
a little confusing for visitors. The huge Palacio Nacional, with
its tall, conical chimneys serves as a landmark in the centre of
town, and makes a good starting point for walking tours of the key
attractions of this fascinating fairy-tale town, captured by
Christian Crusaders from the Moors in 1147. A fun way to see the
town and surrounds is aboard the historic 100-year-old Sintra Tram,
which connects Estefanea to Praia das Macas. It is open for rides
for the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a couple of
Euros.
