Who Says Portugal is Just About Lisbon? ✨
When people think of Portugal, Lisbon and Porto usually steal the spotlight. But just a stone's throw from Lisbon lies a fairytale town nestled in lush green hills—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once served as a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty. If Lisbon is romance and Cascais is energy, then Sintra is the understated aristocrat of the mountains. 💎 📍 Sintra: The "Eden" of Portugal Just 20km west of Lisbon, this misty, dreamlike town is where rolling hills meet palaces and castles. Poet Lord Byron called it "glorious Eden"—a 19th-century hub of European Romantic architecture. In 1995, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. 🍃 🏰 Pena Palace (Palácio Nacional da Pena) Sintra’s crown jewel! This colorful fantasy castle (yes, it’s one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders) blends Gothic, Moorish, and Manueline styles. With its sunshine-yellow walls and pink towers, it looks straight out of a storybook. Climb to the top for panoramic views! ➡️ Hours: Park 9:00–19:00 | Palace 9:30–18:30 ➡️ Ticket: €20 (park + palace) ⛲ Sintra National Palace (Palácio Nacional de Sintra) The best-preserved medieval royal palace in Portugal! Known for its twin white chimneys, this summer getaway mixes Gothic, Moorish, and Portuguese styles. Inside, you’ll find opulent rooms filled with royal furniture. ➡️ Hours: 9:30–18:00 (closed Wed) | Free Sundays 10:00–14:00 ➡️ Ticket: €13 | Combo ticket €21 (includes Pena Palace + Moorish Castle) 👒 Sintra Village: A Postcard Come to Life Wander cobblestone alleys lined with pastel houses (mint green, peach pink, lemon yellow—you name it! 💗). Watch locals sip coffee in the sun, breathe in the scent of fresh pastéis de nata, and snap photos at every turn—this place is pure magic. 📸 🚄 How to Get There ➡️ From Lisbon: Take the train from Rossio Station (40 mins, €2.30 one-way) ⏰ Recommended: 1 full day (leave by 8:30 AM to beat crowds!) 💡 Pro Tips ➡️ Pack a hat + water (shade is scarce!) ➡️ Best photo light: After 4 PM! #Portugal #VisitPortugal #Sintra #PenaPalace #TravelDiaries #HiddenGems #Wanderlust #BucketList
